Environmental due diligence: Beyond land contamination

Abstract

The objective of the paper is to provide insight into the changing focus of environmental due diligence (EDD) assessments for real estate transactions, and how the effects of significant environmental factors such as climate change have had an impact on investment strategies. The paper details how the scope of EDD assessments has changed from the traditional focus of land contamination, to areas including environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG), air quality and sustainability. Ultimately, investors are seeking to maximise asset value from real estate investments, and this paper highlights the areas where investors will need to focus, in order to realise an increase on their returns.