The first parliamentary inquiry into greening existing offices, shops and warehouses will take place today.

The All Party Urban Development Group is conducting a hearing into what ministers, city leaders and property owners and occupiers need to do to reduce the environmental impact of commercial property.

Much has already been said about building zero carbon homes by 2016, but half of the buildings we currently have will still be with us in fifty years, so tackling the commercial buildings we already have will be an opportunity to make the biggest impact in reducing emissions.

Commercial property contributes around a fifth of the country's carbon emissions.

The inquiry will be an opportunity for a selection of industry leaders and public figures to present evidence which will feed into the group's final report, due out in July.

Concerns are likely to be raised about the lack of clear guidance over standards and information on costs/benefits of particular schemes and how the industry can bear those costs amid the current downturn.

Business leaders have been calling for coherent definitions and real evidence on the financial impact of various green measures.

Tax incentives to encourage property owners and occupiers to refurbish their buildings will also be high on the agenda.

3:30pm Monday 12th May 2008

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