Why Investments in Sustainability Pay Off in the Long Run
By
Dr. Avis Devine, Assistant Professor in Real Estate and Housing, University of Guelph, Canada
The discussion on the financial benefits of having green-certified buildings is not new. Neither is the debate as to the urgency to protect the environment. However, a unique study based on compelling data from investment advisory firm Bentall Kennedy reveals surprising reasons why developing sustainable properties is a good investment—including more long-term and happier tenants.
The study, interpreted by Dr. Nils Kok, associate professor of finance and real estate at Maastricht University in the Netherlands, and Dr. Avis Devine, assistant professor in real estate and housing at Guelph University in Canada, was based on data collected between 2004 and 2013 from the commercial real estate properties in Canada and the U.S. Specifically, it examined almost 300 office buildings, or 56 million square feet of commercial space, divided almost equally between the two countries…
