Join us this week as we share our sustainability & longevity focused Q&A with James Simondson, Assistant Director of Policy at the British Property Federation.
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The BPF works with its members to support a diverse, successful and sustainable real estate industry recognised for the contribution it makes to society. Our membership is industry wide, so we provide unparalleled opportunities for networking and sharing good practice, and we can provide government and regulators with an authoritative perspective on the issues facing real estate and how we can support communities across the country. We deliver our mission by working collaboratively with national and local government and other partners; by promoting knowledge, innovation and best practice within the industry; and by showcasing our members’ achievements so that our diverse sector is better understood.
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About
Originally from Melbourne, Australia, James Simondson is an Assistant Director of Policy at the BPF. James is responsible for housing policy and advocacy, with a particular focus on Build-to-Rent. He has led the production of the first three ‘Who Lives in Build-to-Rent’ publications in partnership with UKAA, London First and Dataloft, and also produced first-of-its-kind ESG Guidance for the BTR sector last year. James also leads BPF Futures, the property industry’s preeminent young professionals network – working to make our industry more diverse and elevating the voices of young people.
James was recognised in EG’s top 50 most influential in the Build-to-Rent sector in 2021. James’ background is in the public sector – he has previously worked in government in infrastructure and service planning and coordination, strategic urban planning and bringing community and business voices into government decision-making.
Q: How do you feel the ethos of BtR design will change given the challenges tenants were exposed to during the pandemic?
James: There are already changes to BtR scheme design coming through – including more prioritisation of open and outdoor space (whether private or communal), enhanced working from home or co-working facilities, and a design and facility focus on mental and physical wellbeing.
But BtR has always prioritised residents’ needs when it comes to designing homes and communities, so expect the industry to be continually changing design – and creating flexible use spaces.
That’s the beautiful thing about BtR – when you orient a product around a resident, it morphs and changes with their priorities, rather than the priorities of the business.
Q: With the plethora of sustainable strategies available in 2022, from waste reduction to CO2 off setting and energy use reduction… What do you feel should be the minimum sustainable target for a development? And, what would a completely green development encompass?
James: I am of the firm view that anything we build or plan to build today, irrespective of use class, must not be adding to the environmental and social problems that we face. So, at minimum, net zero carbon ready. We are in a climate crisis.
We also have runaway social inequality. Both can and should be addressed through building integrated, sustainable BtR communities. This means addressing embodied carbon – and finding ways to better manage operational energy use – both unique challenges for residential development.
BPF will be working with key industry and ESG partners to help the BtR sector along its journey to Net Zero through our ESG working group this year – more news on that soon!
Q: Development costs are usually the adversary of sustainable practices – what are the sustainable practices you see as having the best ROI today? And how can we communicate the benefits to the sector in order to gain confident buy in across the board?
James: With the caveat that I am not a developer! Top of the list is designing and procuring for perfected operational efficiency across all environmental aspects – heat, electricity, water. This can be achieved through a Net Zero approach at the planning stage and ensuring mechanisms for smart usage for when the scheme becomes operational.
The BtR sector is primed to lead the way on Net Zero through long term customer-centric investment and must embed an ethos that implementation now reaps reward later on.
In my view, the best way to gain confident buy-in across the sector is to support practical implementation and solutions – existing, emerging and future – through sharing and collaboration, new frameworks and benchmarks for delivery that are tailor-made to BtR’s needs.
Q: We’re seeing an ever-increasing demand from the government, investors, and local councils for developments decreased contribution to the climate crisis – how do you see the design of a BtR development evolving to match this requirement and is it possible to design a carbon negative building?
James: The pincher movement!
Although from my perspective, currently investors are being more demanding than government. But I think government, whatever colour they may be over the next two decades, will inevitably catch up.
One such route that will bolster the regulatory approach will be the Future Homes Standard (FHS).
By 2025, it is estimated that an average home built to the new FHS will produce 75% – 80% lower carbon emissions than one built to current energy efficiency standards.
It’s absolutely possible – just currently challenging – to build carbon negative at scale. Hopefully our collective efforts and market changes make it easier and more achievable day by day
Q: If you had a magic wand and could incorporate any governance or practice across the sector to fight the climate crisis, what would it be and why?
A personal crusade of mine is green infrastructure because it is so multifaceted. It helps with air quality, water management, heating and cooling, reducing the urban heat island effect (at scale).
It can offset some emissions and contribute to improved biodiversity. It has proven mental and physical health benefits and can create communities by design and function. And it’s attractive to look at.
New green infrastructure solutions are emerging that make it easier to implement whether in the design phase or as a retrofit.
Q: Are there any final thoughts and personal opinions on the direction of the sustainability and longevity of developments within this sector you’d like to share?
James: I sincerely wish that the Government was doing a whole lot more to help the built environment transition to Net Zero. But the BtR sector has a real opportunity to bridge the gap and be a leader in this space. I will continue to support it to do so at the British Property Federation.
A Big Thank You to James Simondson for taking the time to respond to our questions.
If you have any other questions regarding this interview or wish to get in touch with the BPF, you can find their email on their website here.
Our content calendar has enough free space for one or two more contributors to this series. If you feel you would offer value and have experience in build to rent investment, design, management or ESG – contact us here.
Thank you for reading.
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