3 min read
In our work consulting with businesses on their environmental impact, we’ve discovered a misconception that accounting for nature can be an inconvenience. Well, we’re here to dispel this myth and reveal how turning a new leaf can take your project to the next level.
Of course, this idea is held by a minority of businesses, but it’s our job to support all-comers on their journey to realise that environmental regulation can become an opportunity rather than an obstacle.
There is always room for nature to add value, whether your project involves the construction of infrastructure, the measurement of a carbon footprint, or the assessment of land belonging to Traditional Owners.
If this idea piques your interest, get in touch with WolfPeak, and we’ll see what we can do about your next big project. As passionate environmental consultants, we’re always looking for ways to turn nature into your competitive advantage.
Developing for Nature
We often think that developing land for housing or commercial and industrial uses will always lead to a loss of nature. But what if it could be the opposite?
When developing land that has previously been used for low-value farming or industrial uses there is a fantastic opportunity to plan your development in a way that improves the nature on site. This could involve making smart decisions like increasing the area vegetation lining creeks and wetlands, or it could be linking biodiversity islands with vegetation.
These activities make the area being developed a better place to live or work.
If this approach sounds feasible to you, we’d recommend setting up a nature account that measures the value of nature before works begin. This will allow you to measure how things improve over time, giving you cold hard data as proof of your environmental credentials. Such displays of environmentalism can be a big green flag to investors, customers, and on-site employees.
Renewable Energy
Possibly the most obvious way that nature can add value to your project is by cutting energy costs with renewable energy. The best bit about this is that renewable energy is becoming so accessible that it can be incorporated into every stage of development and ongoing operations.
Take a new highway development, for example. Electric vehicles can be charged with solar power and used to construct the highway. In fact, if we look further back, your project can source its materials from a quarry that recycles its materials and uses electric vehicles of its own. If you’re feeling particularly ambitious and you’d like to create a completely carbon-neutral highway, you may need to invest in carbon credits to offset the rest of the emissions associated with construction.
Naturally, WolfPeak will help to measure these emissions and recommend an appropriate selection of carbon credits to suit your goals.
If your project is managed correctly and we do our job as environmental consultants, you should be well on your way to cutting energy costs and adding value through an environmental lens.
Carbon-Neutral Buildings
While we’re on the topic of going carbon-neutral, this idea is becoming increasingly common as developers seek the approval of investors and communities.
However, the trend is only more recently catching on in Australia – perhaps creating an opportunity for businesses to trailblaze the space down under.
The first Australian building to be certified as carbon neutral was unveiled in early 2020 at Monash University’s Clayton campus in Victoria. The Woodside Building for Technology and Design is a five-storey facility built to develop solutions for sustainable energy.
“To reach carbon neutral, energy efficiency initiatives were implemented on site, all emissions produced from fuel and energy use were calculated, and carbon credits were purchased to offset those emissions,” Monash stated. “The all-electric Woodside Building has been designed to enable the exploration of new energy possibilities.”
“To reach carbon neutral, energy efficiency initiatives were implemented on site, all emissions produced from fuel and energy use were calculated, and carbon credits were purchased to offset those emissions,” Monash stated. “The all-electric Woodside Building has been designed to enable the exploration of new energy possibilities.”
If being known as an Australian trailblazer isn’t enough value for your growing business, you’re in luck. A report from British real estate company, JLL, found that green-certified real estate yields a rental premium of 5.4% and 8.2% for commercial and residential real estate, respectively. Additionally, sales premiums were 11.5% and 5.5%, respectively.
There is tangible value in building with the environment in mind, and it’s quickly becoming the chosen lens for many developers worldwide.
Contact WolfPeak
We love finding new and exciting ways to add value to your projects, so get in touch and let’s start adding value together. Whether you need an environmental impact assessment, a renewable energy plan, regulatory advice or something more, we’re here for you.
