Here’s a startling statistic for you: the built environment is responsible for more than 40% of global carbon emissions. The commercial real estate industry has a huge opportunity to reduce that footprint. And who among us doesn’t want to do their part for the environment?

If only it was that easy. Before implementing a new initiative at your building, environmentally-beneficial or not, the return on investment has to make sense. This is where nature-based solutions come to the rescue. Nature-based solutions have the potential to increase the value of your property – all while supporting the environment! Let’s dive into some of the top ways these solutions can drive more value for your building.

Nature-based solutions are actions to protect, sustainably manage, or restore natural ecosystems, to the benefit of biodiversity and human well-being.

  • STAND OUT FROM THE COMPETITION

    In a competitive market, being able to tell a unique story can be an effective way to set yourself apart from your competitors. Have you swapped your manicured lawn for pollinator-friendly wildflowers? Do you serve meals using vegetables grown in your rooftop garden? Do you offer your tenants the chance to participate in environmental education workshops? Initiatives like this can help you get noticed by the right stakeholders.

    9 out of 10 Alvéole clients report that their nature-based bee program provides a unique opportunity to market their company.

BOOST TENANT ENGAGEMENT AND RETENTION

Especially for properties struggling with the return to the office, nature-based solutions can be an effective way to engage with tenants and get them excited about their building. The interactive honey bee hive visits and educational workshops offered as part of an Alvéole bee program, for example, give tenants an opportunity to learn something new while connecting with colleagues they might not otherwise collaborate with.

For office spaces, these nature-based initiatives can have a big impact on employee wellness. Many studies have shown that connection to nature positively impacts human wellbeing. A study in the UK even found that employees working in offices with natural greenery saw a 15% rise in productivity over a three month period, compared to those working with no natural elements in their environment.

Free guide: How to support return-to-office with nature-based solutions

  • ATTRACT NEW TENANTS

    Prospective tenants are placing more and more importance on a building’s commitment to sustainability and you can expect that trend to increase in the coming years. In fact, a CBRE survey determined that 45% of occupiers and investors would pay a premium for a certified green building.

    By incorporating nature-based solutions, prospective tenants can expect a premium experience. Events, the opportunity to learn something new, and greenspaces are all attractive benefits. Plus, the promise of a jar of honey produced by your building’s bees certainly helps sweeten the deal.

    Shop tenant appreciation gifts

  • GET A GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION

    Green building certifications are so valuable that we’ve written a whole blog on the topic! To quickly sum it up, certified buildings tend to have higher resale values, increased rental rates, and are often more resource-efficient which can reduce operational costs.

    A CBRE analysis of 20,000 U.S. office buildings found that average rent of those with LEED certification is 31% higher than that of non-LEED-certified buildings.

    On top of that, getting certified can give your public reputation a boost by signaling to stakeholders that corporate social responsibility is top of mind. Alvéole’s nature-based solutions can help your building earn points towards many of the top green building certifications including BOMA BEST, BREEAM, and LEED.

Increase your property’s value with the help of nature-based solutions

Take a closer look at the value a nature-based amenity like a bee program or an urban garden could bring to your building.

Let us show you how