This is more great output from EG on ESG - a panel discussion recording and accompanying article from editor, Sam McClary. Two things jump out:

1. The "regulatory stick" 

I have never heard more robust talk from government about increasing legislative requirements. We have EPCs, we have minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES), and we have the prospect of increasing thresholds in relation to that (EPC B by 2030). Bim Afolami indicates that there must be, and there is set to be, more to come - the "soon-to-be-released" Net Zero Review from Chris Skidmore will make interesting reading. As he says, government recognises that you cannot leave this to "good people looking to do the right thing". Laws are needed to "force change". 

Then again, talk is all good, but what about actual legislative action? We are still waiting for legislative movement on the back of government consultations in March 2021 (see previous blog here). The legislative machine does not move quickly. 

2. The need for the occupier to play ball

There is no doubt that current legislation focuses on the landlord. Yet so much depends on those that utilise the space. Energy efficient space and neat "green" leases are great - but ultimately it all comes down to what happens on the ground, and consumption data is a critical component in monitoring that. It is now rare to find a new lease without "data sharing" provisions, but that is not to say they are agreed without resistance, and anecdotally, landlords face many a struggle in trying to extract data from existing tenants. There is plenty of talk about collaboration, and that surely must be right, but is a legislative kick also required?