We’ve spent over 25 years pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with innovative, sustainable buildings. Still, 39% of global emissions come from buildings and construction, making it clear that the real estate industry needs a complete revolution. Not in 2050. But today.
We are proud to set out our roadmap to Net Zero today. Not just for the company, but for every single building we develop and redevelop moving forward.
We have always been devoted climate pioneers, leading by example. Reducing, reusing and recycling materials, using natural materials where possible to cut carbon emissions during construction, and doing whatever we can to minimise our footprint as we build.
Our projects are widely recognised (and awarded) for their sustainable features and innovations – from timber construction, renewable energy and underground heat storage, to the cutting-edge smart sensor technology that allows our buildings to optimise for wellbeing and sustainability. With every development and redevelopment, we seek to push the boundaries, exploring new technologies and materials, and striving to create better, healthier and more sustainable buildings.
We’re incredibly proud of what we do. But we want to do more.
By 2050, our company and products
will emit zero carbon emissions.
It’s an ambitious goal. And every step of the journey will be crucial. That’s why we’ve set important milestones to help us on our way, and to do our share to limit global warming to 1,5 degrees.
We officially set 1,5-degree aligned science-based targets to stay accountable to our commitments. We set up a carbon emission reduction programme for our company operations.
Today
01.
We have launched the Edge Net Zero Carbon Framework with the goal of reducing the embodied and operational carbon emissions of all new projects by at least 50% in line with the WEF (i) and WBCSD (ii).
This results in an upfront embodied carbon target of max. 500 kgCO2e/m2 (iii), a landlord operational energy target of 25kWh/m2/yr and (almost) zero operational emissions due to 100% renewable electricity in all new projects.
Today
01.
We offset all residual company carbon emissions, all residual upfront embodied carbon impacts at practical completion, and all residual operational carbon emissions from district heating or gas supplement (if any) during the use phase of all newly announced projects.
The carbon emissions associated with our operations (scope 1 and 2) will be reduced by at least 50% compared to our pre-COVID 2019 baseline (iv) in line with our commitment at the Science Based Targets initiative.
2030
02.
All projects will be within the 50% reduction pathway, if not more.
2030
02.
Will be significantly reduced. We will be offsetting 50% less compared to 2022.
Our operations will result in zero emissions.
2050
03.
The entire supply chain will emit zero carbon during the building production, construction and operation, meaning that all Edge buildings emit zero carbon.
2050
03.
No more offsetting will be required, either at a company level or a project level.
i World Economic Forum (WEF) & Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL). 2021. Green Buildings Principles and Guidance: How to achieve Net Zero Carbon in buildings.
ii World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). 2021. The Business Manifesto for Climate Recovery.
iii Industry average: 1000kg CO2 e/m2* based on findings from LETI, following the Science Based Target Route for Small-Medium Enterprises.
iv Following the Science Based Target Route for Small-Medium Enterprises
To reach our goal of Net Zero buildings, we’ll be focussing on continuously reducing all carbon emissions across each building’s entire lifecycle. We’ll do this through a Net Zero Carbon Pathway, which includes both embodied and operational carbon. While today, there is still a need to offset emissions, we have made it a priority to lead the way for change within our industry and achieve zero emissions - without offsetting – by 2050. Or even sooner.
Embodied carbon is the term for emissions that arise from producing, procuring, and installing materials and components that make up a building structure. It also includes emissions from maintenance, repair, replacement and ultimately demolition and disposal of the materials throughout the building’s lifecycle.
Edge accounts for the emissions that fall under our responsibility. This includes all emissions generated up to practical completion of an Edge building. As part of our Net Zero Carbon Pathway, these emissions will be reduced as much as possible through innovations, such as using low carbon concrete or steel, or by using natural construction materials like wood. As a final course of action, all residual emissions will be compensated for projects announced starting 2022.
Operational carbon is the term for carbon emission associated with the energy use arising from the running of the building over the course of its lifecycle.
Edge buildings strive to reduce the energy consumption to a level where a fully decarbonised grid can meet 100% of the energy demand. Each building aims to reduce the energy use as much as possible through efficient design and efficient systems. Additionally, our buildings will generate as much renewable energy as possible on-site. This is the route to zero operational emissions.
How do we measure and reduce our building emissions?
Our own Net Zero Carbon Framework serves as an overall strategy that guides all EDGE projects across the globe. This framework determines how the embodied and operational carbon emissions of all new developments should be measured, managed, and reduced. While the targets and scope of the embodied and operational carbon emissions are the same for all countries, calculation methodologies are country-specific. Yet, the national calculation methods are amended to allow for international comparisons.
We’re proud to be backed by the Science Based Target initiative. We’ve set company-wide 1,5-degree aligned emission reduction targets, in line with the Paris Climate Agreement.
Through the implementation of a carbon emission reduction programme for all business operations - including business travel, commuting, and everything linked to the day-to-day activity of the company - we ensure our transition into a low-carbon economy while remaining accountable next to 1,240 other organisations who have committed to a science-based target.
Going Net Zero today means a lot of things. It means improving the way we construct our buildings, how our tenants use their energy and how we operate as a company. It also means compensating for the emissions we still produce. Once our entire industry - from concrete producer to energy supplier - is on board, we can actually begin to build without any carbon emissions, at all. But until then, we will continue to support compensating initiatives that are fully certified and part of our long-term strategy.
We will offset with high-quality carbon removal projects, including exploring options for compensation in Europe.
Working closely together with knowledgeable parties in the market, we invest in a diversified portfolio of projects in order to mitigate the risk affiliated with even the best carbon offsetting schemes. This way, we are doing our best to offset our emissions when we cannot reduce them any further. We are reporting transparently on all our carbon emissions through the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) and our carbon offsetting activities though our Carbon Removal Dashboard.
We had invaluable support creating our strategy.
A big ‘thank you’ to our advisors for their input.