Property bosses want energy efficiency displayed

In a letter to the Prime Minister signed by the chief executives of British Land, Land Securities, and Hammerson, the property industry warns that without a "level playing field" the green credentials of buildings will never be improved.

Non-domestic buildings in the UK, such as offices, shopping centres, hospitals and schools, account for 17pc of the UK's carbon emissions. However, at present, only public sector buildings are required to provide Display Energy Certificates (DECs) which rank their energy efficiency from A-G.

The letter, initiated by the British Property Federation and the UK Green Building Council, says DECs must also be made compulsory for private sector buildings in the Energy Bill, which is being discussed by MPs today.

The letter, also signed by the developer of the Olympic Village, Lend Lease, says: "Unfortunately, a voluntary approach to take up in the private sector will not work, because without that level playing field there is a reputational risk for those businesses that voluntarily adopt certification and achieve poor ratings."

Paul King, chief executive of the UKGBC, added: "It's very simple – if you don't know how much energy you are using, you can't manage it."