Colliers International, Hong Kong

A Challenge to r.e.Design Industry Practices

Colliers International today published the "r.e.Design" Green Real Estate Guide for Asia.  The Guide emphasises the need and approach to r.e.design buildings, and r.e.design the way in which the industry conducts its real estate practices.

The 36-page Guide first outlines the urgent needs for the real estate industry to address the great challenges of climate change and sustainability.  It points out that buildings offer very cost-effective Green House Gas (GHG) emission cuts compared to other economic sectors, and so will play a leading role.  The ecological systems of the planet have exceeded their capacity to support its growth.  Therefore, it is fundamentally a design challenge: how does the real estate industry creates expanded yet green and sustainable built environments.

Different markets around the world are at different stages in their adoption of Green Real Estate practices.  In Asia Pacific, Australia is at the forefront with green real estate becoming the standard.  Other Asian countries follow suit with higher awareness and increasing government commitment in sustainability.

As stated in the Guide, early adopters have already proven the viability and value of green buildings.  The next wave of markets is set to transform very quickly, driven by various combinations of regulation, government incentives and changing market dynamics. "The winners in the emerging 'carbon economy' will typically be those who prepare early."

According to Simon Carter, Regional Head of Sustainability in Asia, who is also the writer of the Green Real Estate Guide, "r.e.Design  is intended to assist owners, developers and occupiers to design strategies that manage the risks and leverage the opportunities associated with the change in real estate."

The four core guides are:

Guide 1:  Managing Green - Improving existing building performance through management

 

Guide 2:  Developing Green - Creating new green buildings and refurbishing existing

 

Guide 3:  Occupying Green -  Leasing a green building, creating a green fitout and operating a green office

 

Guide 4:  Living Green -  Improving your own individual footprint

Are green buildings costly?

"Over-focusing on the cost of green developments can be very misleading.  When the markets transform, it is the cost of not having a green building to lease or sell that is of greater concern,” said Simon. “What happened in Australia demonstrates that those who commit to green real estate quickly can drive down the costs of doing so and increase their returns.  It is also essential for the owners and occupiers to collaborate in order to share both the risks and opportunities.  The technology is here, it is just a matter of how this knowledge is shared and adapted by those who still want to lead, rather than follow, the change."

"We are increasingly seeing across Asia today, the owners, developers, occupiers and regulators of real estate setting best practice standards for the environmental performance of buildings,” said James Horne, President – Asia Pacific, Colliers International.

"We are committed to supporting the acceleration of green real estate practices in Asia, and doing so in a way that generates and sustains social and economic prosperity for all stakeholders involved."

-end-

About Colliers International

Colliers Macaulay Nicolls Inc. (CMN) operating as Colliers International is a leading global real estate services company that provides a full range of services to real estate users, owners and investors worldwide. Colliers operates in 293 offices in 61 countries.  In Asia Pacific, Colliers has 62 offices in 15 countries.  Services include brokerage, property management, hotel investment sales and consulting, corporate services, valuation, consulting and appraisal services, mortgage banking and research.  Colliers International is a worldwide affiliation of independently owned and operated companies.  Locally, Colliers professionals serve clients in Hong Kong.

Contact Information

May Chow        
Regional Manager
Communications and PR, Hong Kong Marketing
Colliers International (Hong Kong) Ltd
Tel    852 2822 0736
Fax   852 2868 5275
Email: May.Chow@colliers.com

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