This article highlights the key business case value factors for developers and suggests how sustainable commercial buildings may provide benefits in each instance.
Authoring team for the foundation article
Lead author: Kendra L. Wasiluk,
Contributors: Andrew Quade, Suzette Jackson, David Raina, Graham Dyus, Peter Szental, Tony Stapledon, Caimin McCabe and Ken Stickland
Introduction
The Business cases for sustainable commercial buildings article proposes that there are four fundamental questions that underlie all business cases for sustainable commercial buildings. Within these four fundamental questions, the benefits sought by, and accruing to, each industry stakeholder group (and, in fact, each company) are different, and so each group will have its own business case. This article highlights the key business case value factors for developers and suggests how sustainable commercial buildings may provide benefits in each instance.
How can a sustainable commercial building increase my company's profit?
When preparing a business case for sustainable commercial buildings, it is important to identify and communicate where there are opportunities for increasing bottom line profit, and also to identify areas where profit may be reduced. Allocation of cost saving benefits is an important business case consideration as one of the barriers to sustainability uptake continues to be the disassociation of benefits and costs. This article outlines the business case value factors that are profit-driven and affect developers.
How can a sustainable commercial building affect my company's risk?
Sustainable commercial buildings - and the decision to pursue them - can both introduce or increase some risks and reduce others. This article outlines the business case value factors that are risk-driven and how they affect the developers. It considers the threats to, or opportunities for, value that may arise from implementing sustainability. These include issues of compliance, as well as those issues concerned with the increased or reduced risks resulting from the adoption of sustainability initiatives.
How can a sustainable commercial building influence my company's business continuity?
For any business to survive, it must continue to perform and be profitable in a competitive and changing environment. While the major cause of business failure is financial, it is apparent that competitive position may be eroded – even to the extent of business failure – by other factors, such as poor reputation, lack of brand recognition, inability to attract and retain quality employees, and the inability to attract and retain new customers and new business. This article examines the contribution that sustainable commercial buildings can make to these non-financial elements of the competitive advantage that is necessary for business continuity for developers.
How can a sustainable commercial building help me realise my personal values and beliefs?
A diverse set of personal values and beliefs underlies each individual's commitment to sustainability, and will undoubtedly have an impact on how they factor sustainability into their business planning and decision making. Personal motivations may influence – or bias – decision making towards sustainability, even in situations where organisational policies and processes prescribe a particular approach. For example, a developer with a personal commitment to sustainability is more likely to factor sustainability considerations into their decision making, even if they are not usual considerations of their employer. Thus, factors that lie behind decision making about sustainable commercial buildings will be a complex amalgamation that may not be well-documented or transparent. This article outlines the business case value factors that are driven by individual and organisational culture and belief systems.
Add Comment
