The majority of the UK’s office space remains at risk of non-compliance with the proposed Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) set to come into force by 2027 and 2030, according to new data from Carter Jonas.
Although the proportion of F and G-rated office buildings has fallen from 17.2% to 14.1% since 2023, and A–C rated buildings now account for nearly 38% of UK office stock, almost two-thirds of office space remains below the proposed 2027 MEES threshold.
The ‘Taking Stock: UK Office Sustainability Challenge 2025’ report, which analysed more than 120,000 office buildings nationwide, assessing their energy performance, age, quality and sustainability credentials, found mid-quality (Class 2) offices account for more than half of all UK office stock, with lower-quality (Class 3) space making up 18%, especially concentrated in regional centres.
The report warns that without urgent capital expenditure, many older and lower-quality offices face a future of declining value, rising vacancies, and operational obsolescence.
Richard Love, head of commercial consultancy at Carter Jonas, said: “The report shows we’re heading in the right direction, but progress is far too slow. While top-tier offices are setting new sustainability standards, most of the stock continues to fall short. We urgently need to scale up retrofits and rethink how we deal with ageing buildings, or we risk leaving parts of the market and whole communities behind.”
He continued: “Investors and lenders will increasingly prioritise assets with clear pathways to regulatory alignment. The next five years are critical. Without action, the cost of doing nothing will quickly overtake the cost of future-proofing. We call for a joined-up approach combining planning flexibility, private sector investment, and targeted public support to help future-proof the UK’s office stock and support vibrant, sustainable urban centres.”
