The Potential of Small and Mid-Size Buildings to Drive Sustainability

This article is provided by BRC Associate Member, Schneider Electric.

__________________________​

They may be lesser in size, but small and mid-size buildings have a big role to play when it comes to decarbonising building stock and reaching net zero goals.

The terms “net-zero” and “sustainable buildings” may evoke images of the shiny, new skyscrapers being built in cities all over the world to meet a range of new environmental regulations. While these large-scale projects are undeniably important as the world aims to reach decarbonisation goals, there’s another core building type that can’t be overlooked: Small and mid-size buildings including retail and hotels play a disproportionately large role in achieving sustainability in the built environment.

The Impact of Regulations

Much of the progress towards net-zero buildings globally has been driven by regulation. With built environment accounting for 37% of carbon emissions globally - with most coming from small and mid-sized buildings - it’s no wonder that governments worldwide have put requirements in place to propel buildings to reach net-zero status in the coming decades.

These regulations are happening across the globe. Boston’s BERDO requires buildings greater than 20,000 square feet to report their annual energy and water use and has emissions requirements in place that gradually decrease until 2050 when all applicable buildings will need to reach net zero. The city will also require all new buildings to be greater than 20,000 square feet to be net zero starting July 1, 2025.

The Décret Tertiaire is a French law requiring a 40% reduction in energy consumption by 2030 in the tertiary sector, which includes office buildings, shops, hotels and other commercial spaces with a total surface area greater than 1000m2.

In cities that haven’t yet passed sustainability laws, the growing trend suggests it’s only a matter of time, making it crucial for small and mid-size building owners to stay ahead by starting their sustainability journey now.

Small and Mid-Size Building Sustainability Initiatives

Many small and mid-size buildings are aging and are lacking in the modern technology necessary to meet sustainability goals. Older buildings are more likely to have older systems in place that are less efficient, more likely to require maintenance, and do not offer visibility into CO2 and other emissions. SMBs also often don’t require on-site staff or dedicated expertise to actively manage energy and building systems. This operational gap can strain building performance and limit the ability to optimise energy efficiency, leading to further operational strain. This adds pressure on building owners who are already facing an uncertain economic climate due to challenges like inflation and increasing energy costs.

The path towards net zero doesn’t require a complete building overhaul

The good news is that it is now possible to modernise these buildings without breaking the bank. The path towards net zero doesn’t require a complete building overhaul from the start, and building owners should look for solutions that allow them to make an impact quickly and establish a baseline on current emissions so they can track improvements.

An obvious starting point will be replacing aging HVAC systems or appliances that lack efficiency, installing sensors that allow remote monitoring of the building, or installing new windows that will better maintain internal temperatures and boost heating and cooling system efficiency.

Furthermore, tools should be implemented which allow visibility into energy usage and associated CO2 emissions by identifying which systems consume the most energy and when. With that data in hand, automation, even at a basic level, can be introduced to further optimise energy use, identify savings opportunities, and decrease carbon footprint. Additionally, automation streamlines operations by reducing reliance on manual management, minimising human error and improving efficiency without requiring on-site staff with dedicated expertise.

Businesses can cut operational carbon emissions by up to 60%

For multi-sites businesses, it provides additional benefits as it provides a comprehensive view of energy consumption and enables automation across multiple buildings, allowing for comprehensive analysis, streamlined reporting, and coordinated decarbonisation efforts across entire portfolios. By adopting a technology-driven strategy that integrates modern systems to manage buildings, businesses can cut operational carbon emissions by up to 60%.

Ultimately, it’s important to understand that sustainability projects don’t need to achieve perfection from the start. Each step a building can take towards net zero is impactful and building owners - especially those of small and mid-size buildings - need not be overwhelmed by the task at hand. With more regulations on the horizon, taking action now not only reduces future compliance risks but also positions buildings to be cost-efficient and more resilient in the long run.