How to choose the right sustainability partner
5 reasons real estate is the smartest place to start your decarbonization efforts
Real estate’s influence on the ability to hit net zero is changing how companies assess their sustainability consultants
With the growing focus on ESG and an increasing scarcity of green buildings, figuring out how many and what type of offices and other facilities you need is essential to reaching your decarbonization goals.
For example, a major East Coast bank saw the importance of expertise in both sustainability and real estate when it went through a merger and had to reconcile dozens of combined offices. After meeting with a few “Big 5” consultants, the company’s leadership realized they already had deep ties to a firm with the knowledge they needed.
“We were partnering with JLL on transactions across our portfolio,” says the company’s head of CRE. “They understood the market and our assets in a way other consulting firms couldn’t.”
Here are five reasons why a real estate consultant specializing in sustainability is the expert you need right now:
-
1.Deep industry expertise
-
2.Local knowledge
-
3.Cost-effectiveness
-
4.Personalized attention
-
5.Owners’ perspective
1.Deep industry expertise
Real estate consultants understand how sustainability can be incorporated into the built environment, and know the latest regulations and market trends specific to your buildings.
Looking at sustainability with a real estate lens translates to tailored solutions that integrate sustainability into your existing building operations.
2.Local knowledge
Operating in local markets gives real estate consultants’ deep knowledge of the myriad regional sustainability initiatives and incentives.
The ability to leverage this network to navigate local environmental regulations is sure to offer financial and logistical advantages.
3.Cost-effectiveness
Compared to larger consulting firms, real estate consultants often offer competitive rates and flexible engagement models.
This allows you to customize your scope of work and budget to fit your specific needs without paying for unnecessary services.
4.Personalized attention
Working with consultants that have ties to your facilities management or transactions teams fosters closer collaboration.
This ensures your project receives focused attention – and not a phonebook-sized playbook your team has to figure out.
5.Owners’ perspective
Real estate consultants understand the evolving relationships between building owners and corporate occupiers.
As green leases become a more common way to agree upon shared sustainability actions, a partner who can guide nuanced negotiations will ensure mutual benefits.
JLL was the only CRE company recognized by the research firm Verdantix
The independent research firm included JLL in its 2024 Green Quadrant benchmark report, which details the 17 most prominent sustainability consulting providers across the global market. A provider of ESG and sustainability services for more than 15 years, JLL helps clients with portfolio decarbonization, scenario planning, building optimization, net zero design and construction, and data management.
Below is a comparison of JLL versus other consulting firms and boutique sustainability specialists:
Do you know the carbon output of your leased spaces?
Canopy, JLL's sustainability analytics platform, measures carbon across your real estate
The data to make decarbonization decisions across your real estate
Carbon Pathfinder uses scenario-modeling to help you better prioritize spending
Talk to us about your sustainability needs
Learn more about how we can support you with our end-to-end suite of sustainability services.