As Scotland emerges from COVID lockdown restrictions and looks towards tackling the climate change crisis, it is an important time to consider the challenges facing the commercial property sector and to be ready to make decisions which will shape individual successes.

Seldom has the sector faced so many challenges – whether from the long-term consequences of living with COVID; the probable permanent shift in working practices and consumer behaviour; the threats and opportunities of a highly networked world; or the impact of climate change (physical and regulatory).

In this short series of webinars we will look at issues affecting particular sectors of the property market. Our aim is to offer owners, developers and occupiers a head start in grappling with these challenges and help them plan for the future.

THE INDUSTRIAL AND LOGISTICS SECTOR WEBINAR 1: ENERGY CAPTURE, STORAGE AND EMISSIONS AFFECTING INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS

In this first webinar, we explore two linked issues likely to impact on the industrial and logistics sector within the next few years– first, the challenges of meeting the increasing energy demands of occupiers and, second, the requirement to reduce carbon emissions.

Roddy Cormack, a construction accredited specialist lawyer based in our Inverness office, will talk about how modern industrial and logistics operations are increasing the demand for greater electricity supply to units and the legal issues arising out of potential solar energy solutions to address that demand.

Michael Dewar, commercial property partner in our Edinburgh and Dunfermline offices, will consider the future regulatory regime involving Energy Performance Certificates insofar as affecting developers, landlords and tenants. At present the Scottish Government is consulting on possible reforms of the system with a greater use of sanctions to ensure that the owners and occupiers have every incentive to comply with the regime. Other countries’ schemes will be examined, both in order to explore further possible regulatory changes and the advantages/disadvantages of investing in property in these countries.

Katy Davenport, a senior associate in our Glasgow office, will consider the significance of these issues to landlords and tenants wishing to enter into leases of industrial buildings, as well as surveyors negotiating the terms of new leasing arrangements.

Wednesday 29th September, 4pm-6pm.

This seminar will take place by zoom. If you would like to book a place please contact events@wjm.co.uk