'Green' offices in London are over 25% more expensive. But a modern workforce now expects it

'Green' offices in London are over 25% more expensive. But a modern workforce now expects it

Sustainable office space is on the top of many companies' wish lists as they look to hit net-zero targets, but price, scarcity and aesthetics can be barriers to relocating.

Sustainable office space is on the top of many companies' wish lists as they look to hit net-zero targets, but price, scarcity and aesthetics can be barriers to relocating.

London buildings with green credentials are 26% more expensive than those without, according to data from investment research company MSCI. But employers may not have a choice

London buildings with green credentials are 26% more expensive than those without, according to data from investment research company MSCI. But employers may not have a choice

with many employees wanting to work in sustainable offices. LONDON — A fifth of the world's biggest companies have committed to reaching net-zero carbon emissions, according to

with many employees wanting to work in sustainable offices. LONDON — A fifth of the world's biggest companies have committed to reaching net-zero carbon emissions, according to

analysis by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, and a large portion of those emissions come from the workplace. Demand for sustainable offices is high, which means

analysis by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, and a large portion of those emissions come from the workplace. Demand for sustainable offices is high, which means

prices are, too. In fact, there is now a 26% gap in sale prices between London buildings with sustainability ratings from organizations such as BREEAM and LEED and those without,

prices are, too. In fact, there is now a 26% gap in sale prices between London buildings with sustainability ratings from organizations such as BREEAM and LEED and those without,

according to data from analytics company MSCI. That's known as the "green premium." On the flip side, less environmentally friendly, typically older, buildings come with a

according to data from analytics company MSCI. That's known as the "green premium." On the flip side, less environmentally friendly, typically older, buildings come with a

"brown discount." That seems to leave company bosses and investors with a simple choice between lower overheads and lower emissions — but there's more to the

"brown discount." That seems to leave company bosses and investors with a simple choice between lower overheads and lower emissions — but there's more to the

story. Joy Nazzari is a founding director based in London. She's looking to grow her business but her former warehouse office building is too small and inaccessible for

story. Joy Nazzari is a founding director based in London. She's looking to grow her business but her former warehouse office building is too small and inaccessible for

people with disabilities, so it's "mission critical" that the team relocates. "Cost is an incredible barrier," Nazzari told CNBC, adding that an increase in office size and

people with disabilities, so it's "mission critical" that the team relocates. "Cost is an incredible barrier," Nazzari told CNBC, adding that an increase in office size and

better green credentials would cause rent to go up by "at least 50%" from what she's seen on the market so far.

better green credentials would cause rent to go up by "at least 50%" from what she's seen on the market so far.