UK Commercial Buildings Face Slowing Energy Efficiency Progress Amid Rising Compliance Risks
- brg_news_room
- 2 days ago
- 1 min read
UK: The pace of energy efficiency improvements in the UK’s commercial property sector slowed in 2025, according to new research, raising concerns over compliance with Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES). While higher-rated buildings (EPC A, A+ and B) had grown rapidly in previous years, their growth rate dropped to 20% in 2025, with registrations falling 22% from the 2023 peak. Despite long-term progress—where top-rated EPCs rose from 11% in 2016 to 43% in 2025—the recent slowdown suggests momentum is weakening even as regulations tighten.
At the same time, a significant number of properties remain below the legal threshold, particularly in the office segment, which accounted for nearly half of all new F and G ratings in 2025. Over 3,500 office buildings have fallen into these lowest categories in the past five years, many of which cannot be legally leased without exemptions. Rising energy costs are further increasing pressure on inefficient buildings, heightening risks of vacancy and long-term obsolescence.
Source: EIBI
