Savills latest research shows that occupiers are paying a rent premium for office buildings with high energy labels - often considered aligned with net zero ambitions* - in the Netherlands, regardless of location.**
Based on over 550 lease records, Savills analysis shows that buildings with energy labels A+++ and A++++ command rent premiums of up to €122 per sq m/year compared to standard A-labelled buildings.* In percentage terms, buildings with an A++++ label rent for 89% more than those with a standard A label (€258 vs €136 per sq m/year). A+++ buildings rent for 51% more, and A++ for 35% more. The “green premium” remains significant even after controlling for variables such as building age and location.
The analysis considered key location factors, such as whether the office building was in the G5 (the five largest Dutch cities: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, and Eindhoven) or close to a train station to better understand how “green buildings” affect rent prices. This approach enabled a clearer understanding of how the building's sustainability affects rental rates, independent of location-based variables.
These findings demonstrate that higher rents are not merely driven by prime locations or new developments, but are genuinely linked to sustainability.
Iris Kampers, Head of ESG and Sustainability at Savills Netherlands, says: “With reporting pressures easing, it is important to see that impactful investment into energy-efficient real estate presents a strong business case. We don’t just invest because we have to; businesses clearly attribute a greater value to this type of real estate.”
Charlotte de Mos, Head of Data, Intelligence & Strategy at Savills Netherlands, says: “There’s a clear reward in the market for investing in sustainability - particularly for buildings that go above and beyond minimum energy standards. Net zero is one of the important factors occupiers consider when renting space for their business., and this analysis shows that it is now clearly reflected in rents.”
Tien Nguyen, Analyst at Savills, concludes: “The data consistently shows that the most energy-efficient buildings achieve the highest rents, even after controlling for variables such as building age and location. This suggests that sustainable design is increasingly seen as a marker of quality, rather than just a compliance requirement.”