The sustainability conversation has changed.
Only a few years ago, many organisations were focused primarily on setting ambitions and making commitments. Today, the emphasis is firmly on delivery, transparency and accountability. Stakeholders increasingly expect organisations not only to talk about sustainability, but to demonstrate tangible progress and measurable outcomes.
That shift is one of the defining themes of our Sustainability Report 2025/26.
For organisations operating within the real estate sector, the challenge is not just how to reduce environmental impact, but how to remain competitive, attract investment, manage risk, support people and maintain trust in a rapidly changing landscape.
That is why our approach has remained focused on practical action.
One of the most encouraging findings within this year’s report is the continued reduction in our operational energy use and carbon emissions. Since 2018, we have reduced energy consumption across our portfolio by 62% and reduced operational carbon emissions by 79%.
These outcomes have not been achieved through a single initiative. They are the result of hundreds of decisions made across the business over many years. They reflect investment in more efficient buildings, office consolidation, improved technology, renewable energy procurement, smarter facilities management and the everyday actions of colleagues across our offices.
The rollout of smart metering technology across our portfolio is a good example of this approach. Sustainability depends on good data. Without accurate information, it is impossible to understand where inefficiencies exist or where improvements can be made. The completion of this programme provides us with far greater visibility of real-time energy consumption and creates a stronger foundation for future decision-making.
However, environmental performance is only one part of the sustainability story.
One of the most rewarding aspects of this year’s report is seeing the breadth of social impact being delivered across the business. Our colleagues contributed more than 1,300 volunteering hours during the year, while offices across the UK continued to support charities, community groups and local initiatives.
These contributions matter because successful businesses do not operate in isolation. The long-term health of our industry depends on thriving communities, greater social mobility and improved access to opportunities.
The report also highlights the importance of governance. As reporting requirements become more sophisticated, organisations must ensure they have the structures, oversight and processes needed to support credible decision-making and transparent reporting.
Good governance is often less visible than environmental projects or community initiatives, but it is ultimately what allows meaningful progress to happen consistently and at scale.
Perhaps the most important message from this year’s report is that sustainability remains a long-term commitment.
There are areas where we have made excellent progress and areas where we know further work is needed. We are open about both. Sustainability is about continuously improving, learning from challenges and maintaining momentum.
For businesses across the real estate sector, the coming years will require resilience, adaptability and collaboration. The organisations that succeed will be those that integrate sustainability into everyday decision-making rather than treating it as a separate workstream.
That is the approach we continue to take at BNP Paribas Real Estate and Strutt & Parker.
The Sustainability Report 2025/26 provides a snapshot of that journey so far, the lessons we have learned and the opportunities that lie ahead.
Download the full Sustainability Report 2025/26 here to explore the findings in more detail and discover how we are working to build a more resilient, responsible and sustainable future.
