Built environment clauses and resources
We have over 30 climate clauses spanning the built environment lifecycle. The tools on this page help you navigate and use them in your contracts.
If you are new to The Chancery Lane Project and looking for the best place to begin, start with our Introducing Climate Clauses video.
Built environment climate contracts tool
Use the interactive tool below to find relevant, climate-aligned clauses for your built environment contracts. To view the tool in full screen, click here.
If you have feedback on this tool, please contact us.
Built environment clauses one-pager
Download this slide as a PDF. To view it in full screen click the three dots (⋮) then ‘Enter full screen’ below, or press ‘Ctrl + Shift + F’.
Our built environment focus
In 2022, TCLP launched its built environment project with the support of Laudes Foundation. Working with high impact real estate and construction stakeholders, the project will:
- Identify key intervention points for climate clauses in targeted sector contracts;
- Enable sector actors to operationalise their net zero targets through contracts; and
- Extend use our climate clauses in built environment sector contracts, with a particular focus on the UK, European Union, Switzerland and Norway.
Why? According to the UNEP, the built environment generates almost 40% of global energy-related C02 emissions. Using climate clauses in the sector’s relatively small pool of precedent contracts has huge potential to reduce its carbon footprint.
Updates: Follow the project on LinkedIn, our updates page or sign up for our newsletter. Read about our built environment project work so far, here:
- Built Environment project update: Q2 2023 (final quarterly website update)
- Built Environment project update: Q1 2023
- Built Environment project update: Q4 2022
- Built Environment project update: Q3 2022
- Built Environment project update: Q2 2022
- Built Environment project update: Q1 2022
Get involved: We advertise opportunities to take part in the built environment project on our pro bono opportunities page. If you would like to support this project but do not see a suitable opportunity advertised, please get in touch with your experience, expertise and what you can bring to the project.
Built environment podcasts
In the first series of our Contracts for the Climate podcast, we were joined by sector experts to discuss key built environment clauses. Each episode explores how one clause works in practice, the climate benefits it delivers and opportunities to add it to your contracts.
Listen to all episodes on our Contracts for the Climate web page, or on Apple, Spotify and Anchor.
- S1E1 covers Aatmayʼs Clause, which tackles greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the production of new materials by encouraging landlords and tenants to re-use goods and materials during repairs, alterations and yielding up.
- S1E2 covers Tristanʼs Clause, which manages GHG emissions caused by procurement of unsustainable materials by setting a carbon budget for construction projects.
- S1E3 covers Roseʼs Clause, which encourages project finance companies or borrowers to develop and adopt a whole life decarbonisation management plan.
- S1E4 covers Ayshe’s Clause, which tackles emissions and human rights abuses in renewable energy supply chains.
- S1E5 covers Izzyʼs Clause, which helps clients to compare a contractor’s carbon footprint against the market.
External resources
Climate change:
- UK Gov, Climate change explained
Business case for decarbonising the built environment:
- World Green Building Council, Beyond the business case: Why you can’t afford not to invest in a sustainable built environment
Wider sector and stakeholders:
- Race to Zero, Nexial and Laudes Foundation’s interactive Breakthroughs: Built Environment System Map
Construction: Public works projects and programmes:
- HM Government, The Construction Playbook (2022) (TCLP referenced on p.51)
- HM Government, Guidance Note: Promoting Net Zero Carbon and Sustainability in Construction (2022) (TCLP referenced on pp.32-33)
Real estate: Additional green leasing clauses and guidance:
- Better Buildings Partnership, Green Lease Toolkit (2013)
- Institute for Market Transformation, Green Lease Language Examples (2020)
- National Health Service, Green Leases Framework (2022)
- Green Lease Leaders, Landlord Reference Guide and Tenant Reference Guide
A just transition in the built environment:
- The Institute for Human Rights and Business’ (IHRB) Framework for Dignity in the Built Environment
- UK Green Building Council’s Building a just transition to net zero one-pager
Circular economy principles:
Energy efficiency:
- Climate Group’s EP100 Cooling Checklist
Legal & industry press featuring TCLP
Construction & development
- Irish Building Magazine, Going Green – Is it time to consider the use of climate clauses in construction contracts? (6 Jun 2023)
- Addleshaw Goddard and Energy & Environment Alliance, Sustainable Hotel Construction (29 Mar 2023)
- Beale & Co, Drafting for a greener future (Feb 2023)
- Mills & Reeve, Climate change clauses – NEC Option X29 and the Chancery Lane Project (14 Dec 2022)
- Building, Contract Clauses for the Climate (21 July 2022)
- Clyde & Co, Taking the X29 from Chancery Lane (28 June 2022)
- Pinsent Masons, Net zero alignment in property development cannot be delayed (17 Jun 2022)
- Arup, Industry can use influence in and out of contracts (11 May 2022)
- Foot Anstey, Net Zero Contracts – How to implement them in the Built Environment (25 Mar 2022)
- MinterEllisonRuddWatts, Sustainable future: Conversation starters for residential developers (Nov 2021)
Real estate
- Macfarlanes, Refurbishment and the circular economy (9 Jun 2023)
- JLL, Green Leasing 2.0: Bridging the owner-occupier divide to deliver shared ESG value (Mar 2023)
- Law Society Gazette (Ireland), Green leases clauses for waste-conscious tenants (9 Feb 2023)
- The Law Society of England & Wales, Guide: Green leases and Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (20 Jan 2023)
- Gowling WLG, What is a green lease in 2023? (5 Jan 2023)
- Groundsure, Do Solicitors have a Legal Duty of Care to advise their Property (and other) Clients about Climate Risk? (5 July 2022)
- Trowers & Hamlins, Aatmay, Rosie and Hannah – How The Chancery Lane Project drafting can bolster green leases (23 June 2022)
- JLL, Taking Green Leases Mainstream webinar (27 May 2022)
- Action Net Zero & TLT, Green leases: top 5 negotiating tips for commercial tenants and Green leases: top 5 negotiating tips for commercial landlords (May 2022)
Transpose clauses for your jurisdiction
If you could help adapt our built environment clauses for use in your jurisdiction, please contact us. We are particularly keen to transpose clauses for use in the European Union, Switzerland or Norway.
What are transpositions?
‘Transposition’ means adapting a climate clause relevant in England and Wales to be relevant in another jurisdiction.
TCLP believes transpositions are the key to accelerating and scaling our impact across sectors globally. The collaborative efforts of our community will help us to realise a world where every contract enables solutions to climate change.
Transpositions case study: Irish green lease clauses
For inspiration, follow the example of the Irish Property Working Group and the Law Society of Ireland’s Landlord and Tenant Taskforce adapting TCLP’s green lease clauses for use in Ireland.
Read more on the Law Society of Ireland website and in TCLP’s announcement.