The City of London's Five Rules for Sustainable Buildings

The City of London Corporation has taken a significant step in advancing sustainability within the built environment by approving the Planning for Sustainability Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).
This guidance, designed to support developers in alignment with the City Corporation's ambitious sustainability policies, provides a framework for building design and construction that aims to make the Square Mile a global leader in sustainable urban development.
The city's net zero ambitions
The SPD is part of the City Corporation's broader commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040, enhancing climate resilience and promoting sustainable growth. Informed by public consultations and expert input, the document is tailored to address the unique challenges and opportunities of the Square Mile.
“The Committee’s approval of the Planning for Sustainability SPD is a major step forward for the City Corporation in pursuit of its decarbonisation goals,” says Shravan Joshi, the Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee.
“This new guidance provides transparency to the built environment sector, encouraging it to come with us on this journey.”
The guidance covers five critical themes:
- Retrofit and reuse
- Greenhouse gas emissions and energy use
- Circular economy principles
- Climate resilience
- Urban greening and biodiversity.
Together, these pillars are designed to integrate sustainability into every stage of the development process, from planning and construction to operation and eventual deconstruction.
Prioritising retrofit and reuse
One of the cornerstone principles of the SPD is the City's “Retrofit First” approach, which prioritises the reuse of existing structures over new construction. This strategy aims to reduce embodied carbon—the emissions generated during the production and transportation of building materials—while preserving the unique character of the Square Mile.
This strategy aims to reduce embodied carbon—the emissions generated during the production and transportation of building materials—while preserving the unique character of the Square Mile.
In addition to promoting retrofit projects, the guidance introduces embodied carbon benchmarking.
Developments failing to meet these benchmarks at the planning stage will be required to deliver additional sustainability benefits, such as expanding local energy networks, enhancing public transport infrastructure or implementing innovative climate resilience measures.
Developments failing to meet these benchmarks at the planning stage will be required to deliver additional sustainability benefits, such as expanding local energy networks, enhancing public transport infrastructure, or implementing innovative climate resilience measures.
Setting the bar for sustainable office spaces
Office buildings, a dominant feature of the Square Mile, are a particular focus of the SPD. Developers are encouraged to meet the NABERS UK energy efficiency targets, which require a 5-star rating for new office projects and a 4-star rating for retrofitted offices.
By integrating these rigorous standards, the City Corporation aims to attract global businesses and talent while reducing the environmental impact of its commercial real estate sector.
Shravan believes this initiative could have global implications. “The City of London is home to some of the most sustainable commercial buildings on the planet... we are setting the pace globally for sustainable design, with the delivery of the next generation of new and retrofit developments,” he explains.
A shift towards a circular economy?
Another transformative aspect of the SPD is its emphasis on circular economy principles. By encouraging developers to minimise waste and reuse materials throughout a building's lifecycle, the guidance seeks to reduce the construction industry's reliance on a linear “take-make-dispose” model.
This focus on resource efficiency aligns with broader sustainability trends and responds to increasing demand for environmentally responsible practices in the real estate sector.
Climate resilience and biodiversity
With climate change posing an increasing threat to urban areas, the SPD also addresses resilience measures. Developers must incorporate strategies to mitigate flood risks, manage water resources and combat urban overheating.
The guidance also encourages the inclusion of “cool routes”—shaded pathways designed to improve comfort during heatwaves—as part of broader urban greening initiatives.
Biodiversity and green infrastructure are equally important. Developers are tasked with enhancing habitats and integrating green spaces to improve air quality, support wildlife and promote public well-being.
Creating a global model for sustainability
The approval of the SPD comes at a time of growing recognition of the built environment's role in combating climate change. By implementing robust policies and setting high standards, the City of London Corporation is positioning itself as a model for sustainable urban development.
While the SPD lays a strong foundation, its success will depend on how effectively developers embrace its principles. The inclusion of ambitious benchmarks and a focus on collaboration between the City Corporation and the private sector will be crucial in achieving the Square Mile’s sustainability goals.
Ultimately, this initiative underscores the City's dual priorities of economic competitiveness and environmental stewardship. “We see continued confidence and demand for high quality, sustainable office space in the Square Mile... to attract the best global talent, innovators, and high growth businesses,” says Shravan.
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