The impact of the tertiary decree on logistics buildings
What are the objectives of this decree?
This new decree, which specifies the application of the provisions of the ELAN law, requires a 40% reduction in the energy consumption of buildings by 2030. It applies to all logistics sites, whatever their size, from 1000 sqm.
For Laurent Sabatucci, this is the first time that logistics buildings have been explicitly targeted by these environmental impact reduction targets. First of all, this is to be welcomed, as these efforts will make it possible to participate in the fight against global warming and, for companies, to reduce their energy costs.
However, these new obligations mean that we must now define a trajectory in order to plan the necessary adaptations to buildings.
In a logistics site, energy expenditure concerns heating, lighting and certain technical processes depending on the site's activity. The trajectory can therefore concern insulation work, changing the boiler or the lighting system, to name a few examples.
This decree applies primarily to the existing stock of logistics buildings, whose long-term survival will depend in part on compliance with the obligations imposed.
Who is responsible for this trajectory?
The decree does not mention whether the owner or the tenant is responsible for this improvement plan. However, Benoît Dubois-Taine specifies that the tenant cannot ignore this obligation and must define the trajectory by mutual agreement with the owner. The financing of the works will be subject to specific agreements between the two parties.
On short-term leases, it is likely that this obligation will fall entirely on the landlord.
These obligations to reduce environmental impact are subject to financial penalties, which are currently modest but may be increased in the future. More significantly for the commercial value of the property, a national register highlighting non-compliant buildings will be set up. The existence of such a register may be more effective than sanctions, especially for tenants who are increasingly concerned about their environmental image.
What about new buildings?
The voluntary BREEAM, LEED or HQE certification procedures that have become widespread are not sufficient to comply with the obligations imposed by the tertiary decree. The decree constitutes a different reading of environmental obligations. Good performance thresholds are provided for but they are very restrictive and sometimes more ambitious than what may have been provided for in the certification process.
It is therefore essential, in addition to or as part of the certification process, to take these thresholds into account and to ask the right questions about energy equipment, for example the type of LED lighting or heating.
How to implement this approach?
EOL is involved in the creation of Systenza, which assists companies, owners or operators, in the implementation and monitoring of this environmental trajectory for logistics buildings.
The decree sets reasonable objectives that are often quite easily achievable. Although the 2030 deadline seems far away, starting this process this year is a necessity in order to anticipate the deadlines for the coming years.
It is in the common interest of all that logistics be involved in the effort to combat global warming by planning the necessary changes over time.
For landlords, compliance with these obligations contributes to the marketability of the property and to the environmental image. For tenants, these obligations are an integral part of their CSR policy. They also help to reduce the building's operating costs. It is therefore a positive step to take from 2021!
For more information: https://www.systenza.fr/