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 Introducing Climate Clauses.
Built environment lifecycle clause map
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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, Norway, APAC, China and the US.
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: 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.
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, Norway, APAC, China or the US.
What are transpositions?
In the context of TCLP’s climate clauses, there are several different types of transpositions:
- Jurisdiction – Adapting a climate clause relevant in England and Wales to be relevant in another jurisdiction.
- Sector – Taking a clause drafted for one sector and adapting it for use in another.
- Shades of green – Increasing the level of climate ambition of a climate clause from light green (low ambition) to dark green (high ambition).
- Combinations – A mix of the above.
TCLP believes transpositions are the key to accelerating and scaling its 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.
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
Wider sector and stakeholders:
- Race to Zero, Nexial and Laudes Foundation’s interactive Breakthroughs: Built Environment System Map
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 1-pager
Circular economy principles:
Energy efficiency:
- Climate Group’s EP100 Cooling Checklist
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)
- National Health Service, Green Leases Framework (2022)
Legal & industry press
Construction & development
- 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)
- CMS, The NEC unveils new climate change clause (13 Apr 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
- Today’s Conveyancer, ‘Who really cares about climate change?‘ (Podcast) (5 September 2022)
- Stephen Tromans KC: Legal Opinion, Conveyancers’ Duty of Care to Advise Clients about Climate Risk and speech (21 July 2022)
- 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)