Low Carbon Real Estate Fund Launched In The UK

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Launched in 2010, the Threadneedle Low Carbon Workplace Trust (LCW) invests predominately in existing commercial office buildings and repositions them through extensive green refurbishments. The LCW comprises three partners, Threadneedle Property Investment, Stanhope and The Carbon Trust. Where possible, the LCW will partner with tenants in pre-letting agreements, enabling broad based tenant engagement from the beginning of the investment. The Carbon Trust has developed a new environmental benchmark for buildings, the Low Carbon Workplace Standard, which will reflect active efficiency measures, passive efficiency measures, effective operation and occupational behaviour. This benchmark will be a reflection of a well executed carbon management plan, based on the Low Carbon Workplace Charter, a pioneering agreement in the UK between landlord and tenant, that stipulates the role of both parties in constantly managing the carbon exposure of occupiers in individual buildings.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FUND TARGETS VALUE ADDING CARBON RETROFITS
Structural Trends Drive The Business Case For Green Refurbishment
Cradle-To-Cradle Real Estate Fund Pushing The Green Retrofit Market
The LCW Partnership Structure Enables Long-Term Carbon Efficiencies 

TABLE OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Typical Characteristics Of A Low Carbon Building

COMPANIES MENTIONED

Bridges Ventures Property Fund, Carbon Trust, Carbon Trust Enterprises, Climate Change Capital Property Fund, GE Capital Real Estate, Kingspan, PwC, Igloo Regeneration Fund, Investment Property Databank, Low Carbon Workplace, Thames Valley Housing Association, Stanhope, Threadneedle Property Investment, Threadneedle Low Carbon Workplace Trust, Urban Land Institute