Environmental considerations are increasingly important in commercial property decisions, both for regulatory compliance and long-term sustainability.
Occupiers are taking a much closer look at how a building is run, it’s efficiency and future proofing and whether it meets their environmental and sustainability goals for the future.
Below are some key areas to consider:
Energy efficiency of the building:
The building’s envelope such as insulation, glazing and roofing materials play a pivotal role in determining overall energy efficiency. Though our current Environment Minister has opted to defer responsibility for Jersey Energy Performance Assessment to the next government, it is still important to understand the building’s energy efficiency and environmental impact. Proactively identifying these areas of improvement allows owners to budget and implement upgrades to maximise returns on investment.
Water usage and management:
Water efficiency is an important step, both in reducing a buildings overall environmental impact and operational costs. Low flow fixtures alone can decrease water usage by up to 50% providing for easy pay back with minimal occupier impact. For grander schemes, rainwater harvesting, green roofs and smart monitoring systems can assist with significantly reducing water usage and bettering the environment.
Waste management:
Historically, recycling has been occupier led with fit-outs designed to support recycling and composting. Though Jersey has been slow in adopting this practice, effective recycling programmes and education are proving to be a crucial component in driving behavioural change and meeting the growing expectations of occupiers and their employees.

Embedding recycling strategies into the design and operation of the building is essential for long term sustainability and occupier satisfaction. Minor changes in the design of shared areas to include dedicated recycling zones are a quick and cost effective solution.
Air quality and indoor environment:
Since the Covid pandemic, air circulation and quality has become key with occupiers. It is proven that with a well-ventilated environment, the spread of airborne viruses can be significantly reduced, leading to healthier indoor spaces. Furthermore, use of natural light and greenery has been shown to enhance occupant well-being, promote productivity and help with staff retention. Where buildings have limited natural light, the installation of LED’s mimicking that of natural light has become an effective solution to bridge the gap between artificial and natural environments whilst reducing utility costs.
Renewable energy:
Green power procurement is not really relevant in Jersey as the majority of our energy is from nuclear or hydro-power from France. The Jersey Electricity Company have invested heavily in both ground and roof solar and continue to do so to meet their targets and support the island’s transition to greater energy dependence.

renewables such as solar generation.
However, whilst we are a low carbon jurisdiction, there is still value in exploring on-site renewables such as solar generation to reduce reliance on imports and demonstrate commitment to longer-term sustainability.
Climate change and resilience:
Adapting to climate related events is becoming increasingly critical for building resilience and protecting both users and the buildings against damage and harm. Assessing risks such has flooding, rising air temperatures, and storms allows for design strategies and operational measures to take effect to minimise risk and disruption.
Rising sea levels is especially relevant in Jersey given much of the built environment is located near the south coast. Installation of flood barriers as a secondary measure to the Governments plan to heighten the sea walls, provides for an added layer of protection and minimises the potential for costly damage and disruption for the future.
Occupier and investor expectations:
We have seen occupier and investor expectations evolve significantly in recent years with occupiers prioritising space that supports health, wellbeing and environmental performance, and investors prioritising assets that demonstrate strong ESG credentials, long-term resilience and compliance with emerging sustainability regulations.
This shift reflects a broader recognition that sustainability is not just a value-add, but a fundamental component of asset performance, tenant retention and long-term capital growth.
At Broadlands we regularly review our commercial property portfolio against current guidance and regulations to ensure we are future-proofing our clients’ assets. We pride ourselves on taking a proactive rather than reactive approach, identifying opportunities for improvement ahead of regulatory changes and market expectations. By staying ahead of the curve, we help our clients maintain the long-term value, compliance, and attractiveness of their properties in an increasingly sustainability-focused market.
Get in touch with the team at Broadlands Commercial to see how we can help. Call on 01534 874141 or send us an email at commercial@broadlandsjersey.com