Property

Carbon Neutral Real Estate Fund

Carbon reduction through commercial real estate investment

Climate change is firmly back on the agenda. As large asset owners, institutional investors have an important role to play in helping to reduce carbon emissions.

UK office buildings are bad offenders, contributing around a fifth of total carbon emissions in the UK. New build, carbon-compliant real estate only accounts for 1-2% of total supply. To meet the Government’s 2050 carbon reduction targets, emissions from existing buildings will need to be reduced by 80%. Realistically, this can only be achieved via refurbishment.

As large investors and investment managers we have the ability – and the responsibility – to help drive positive outcomes for society. We have one of the largest and most experienced UK property teams and in 2010 took a pioneering step towards carbon reduction by teaming up with Stanhope, one of the leading commercial developers and the Carbon Trust, a world-leading adviser to businesses, governments and the public sector on carbon reduction.
In March 2010 we launched the Low Carbon Workplace Trust and assembled a team of industry leaders in property investment management, design, carbon engineering/refurbishment and carbon compliance. Together with our partners we identify suitable office buildings and turn them into modern, energy-efficient workplaces, while at the same time generating returns for investors. We then let and manage the buildings to ensure ongoing management and reduction of energy wastage.
Reflecting the certification of its office investment portfolio to operational carbon neutrality in 2019, the fund changed its name to the Threadneedle Carbon Neutral Real Estate Fund (‘the Fund’) in May 2020. The name change reflected the status of the Fund as a pioneer of carbon reduction in commercial real estate assets through value-add refurbishment and continued operational carbon neutral management.
As large asset owners with stewardship responsibilities, institutional investors are increasingly looking for a responsible, tangible aspect to their investments, whether social or environmental. This is increasingly mirrored by the demands in the occupational market and we are seeing sustainability and carbon neutrality credentials being high on tenant’s agenda when considering stock selection.
The Carbon Neutral Real Estate Fund concept is economically viable, socially responsible, repeatable, scalable and profitable. It is a great example of the private sector taking the initiative and developing new commercial models that unlock the value in low carbon refurbishment.
Carbon reduction table

*Source: Carbon Trust, October 2020

Investment Process

Step 1: Identification

Columbia Threadneedle Investments leads in the identification of suitable redundant/obsolete/vacant/short-term let office property showing the optimal combination of location, building fabric, original construction, configuration and local market conditions, offering the potential for a desirable occupational solution that will benefit from a Low Carbon Workplace refurbishment.

Step 2: Economic assessment

The rigorous economic assessment by all three Partners to confirm the achievability of an economic, risk adjusted, profitable and low emission end product, which meets the needs of both occupiers and investors. The entry price, carbon engineering/ refurbishment budget and rental value equation will be computed under a number of potential scenarios.

Step 3: Carbon engineering/refurbishment

The ‘on site’ phase, where Stanhope and the Carbon Trust work in tandem to deliver the agreed physical and carbon specification, within the agreed budget and time scales. Concurrently, Columbia Threadneedle Investments leads early engagement with the potential occupiers, supported by the Carbon Trust.

Step 4: Completed projects and continuing carbon appraisal

Following and during the completion of projects the Carbon Trust applies rigorous carbon oversight of the strategy’s development and investment portfolios. Such oversight includes maintaining ongoing occupier engagement under the Low Carbon Charter, in order to provide training, support and assistance to occupiers with the target of ensuring annual certification under the Charter. This level of continuous occupier engagement provides the strategy with a clear competitive edge over its peers and increases the likelihood of occupier retention.

Step 5: Portfolio management

The strategic asset allocation of the portfolio is reviewed by reference to Columbia Threadneedle Investments assessment of the UK Investment Market and the relative prospects for the underlying geographical areas. Columbia Threadneedle Investments utilises the capabilities of its large and long-established investment team and seeks to generate outperformance in line with similar track records of Columbia Threadneedle Investments-managed property funds.

Value for occupiers and investors

Value to occupiers
Value to investors
Reduced running costs
Lower energy costs mean properties are resistant to functional and environmental obsolescence
Future-proofing against future energy price hikes and new legislation
Due to the imbalance between supply and demand, low carbon properties also benefit from better security and quality of income, greater potential for capital gains, shorter void periods and access to pre-let developments
Improved employee satisfaction and workforce productivity
Together with the strong risk-adjusted returns we have generated, this is good news for investors
Enhanced corporate reputation

Explore the portflio

To date the Carbon Neutral Real Estate Fund has raised over £175m and the portfolio currently comprises of six buildings.

Carter Lane
Grove House
Kew Road
Mansel Court
Paul Street
Premier House

Low Carbon Workplace Standard

Carbon Neutral Real Estate Fund building occupiers’ energy and carbon performance is monitored and assessed against the Carbon Trust’s Low Carbon Workplace Standard. Occupiers that successfully meet the criteria are awarded with certification to the Standard.
Carbon logo

The Carbon Neutral Real Estate Standard assesses three things:

  • Quantitative performance: Workplace carbon emissions are quantified per unit of floor area and per person. Occupiers must either meet best practice emissions benchmarks or demonstrate year-on-year improvements.
  • Qualitative criteria: Occupiers are assessed against a set of broad sustainability performance indicators, together with occupant satisfaction. This assessment provides a holistic picture of the workplace’s overall environmental performance.
  • Carbon management: Occupiers are required to have implemented a carbon management system that embeds energy efficiency and carbon management in the day-to-day activities of the workplace.

Awards

In 2015, the Low Carbon Workplace Partnership won three industry awards.

Guardian Sustainable Business Award
Real Estate Manager of the Year
CIBSE Refurbishment Project of the Year 2015

Literature

PDF

Threadneedle Carbon Neutral RE Trust – Audit Findings 2023

PDF

Threadneedle Carbon Neutral RE Trust – Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023

Insights

20 March 2023

James Coke

Fund Manager and Co-Head of Institutional UK Real Estate

Robin Jones

Co-Head of Institutional, UK Real Estate

Delivering sustainable returns in real estate investing

Climate change is affecting every sector of our economy, and it remains one of the most important factors to consider when making long term investment decisions.
Read time - 8 min
15 February 2023

Guy Glover

Director, Property Funds

Emma Gullifer

Assistant Fund Manager

Build to rent investment – performance, resilience, and a great diversifier

Residential property is no longer an emerging asset class or viewed solely as an ancillary part of a commercial property allocation.
Read time - 5 min
14 March 2022

Solutions Enhanced: Capital Market Assumptions 2022 Making a transition

The end of 2021 saw a continuing reminder of the impact of coronavirus, inflation occurring in major economies, and the world waking up to the stark choices presented by the climate emergency. We set out the expectations for what all this could mean for investors over the next five years and in the longer run. These capital market assumptions form the base case we use when constructing strategic asset allocations for clients.
Read time - 3 min