Enquiry starts into green offices - commercial mortgages

13 May 2008

In news which may interest those with commercial mortgages, the government has begun an enquiry into ways in which it can ensure commercial premises are made greener.

The all party urban development group of MPs has been holding a hearing at Westminster into what needs to be done by central and local government, landlords and occupiers to make such premises more eco-friendly.

During the meeting yesterday submissions were made by members of bodies such as the Green Building Council, the Carbon Trust, the London Climate Change Agency and Bradford City Council.

Greener commercial property may be more attractive to tenants who can save energy and enjoy making a good contribution to the fight against climate change.

One way of encouraging landlords of commercial properties to do this may be to offer a feed in tariff to those generating energy on-site through the use of renewable devices such as solar panels.

A recent campaign in favour of this as an amendment to the energy bill was backed by many MPs but defeated in parliament.

However, energy minister Malcolm Wicks said it will be considered again this summer when the government launches a consultation on renewable energy.