CBRE Report: San Francisco Among North American Cities Best Positioned to Withstand Climate Change Impacts

San Francisco has emerged as a leader in climate change resilience by investing in and implementing sustainability measures, improving its ability to protect property values and attract real estate occupiers amid climate risks, according to a new analysis from CBRE.

In its first North American City Sustainability Study, CBRE Econometric Advisors assessed climate change resilience across three categories: transition risk, physical climate risk, and mitigation and adaptation measures. The study evaluated cities’ emissions-reduction targets, policy and regulations, cost of retrofitting properties, vulnerability to climate change and climate-related disasters, green building stock, green financing and other factors.

Besides San Francisco, other major North American cities that are similarly well positioned include Austin, Boston, Denver, Montreal, New York, Ottawa, Toronto, Washington, D.C., and Winnipeg.

These cities have all pledged to be carbon neutral or achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 (some earlier) and have increased their use of renewable energy over the past five years. San Francisco has pledged to achieve net zero emissions by 2040. The city is challenged by its exposure to natural hazards, like earthquakes and landslides, but has adopted a Climate Action Plan to reduce emissions and adapt to the effects of climate change. The city has improved its air quality over the past five years and has a green-bond program available to fund climate-related projects. San Francisco also performed well for its green building stock, with one third of the city’s commercial buildings LEED certified.

“The cities that take the lead on sustainability today will have a competitive edge as the economy shifts to a low carbon, more sustainable future. With over 50% of the world’s population living in cities, cities will be critical in driving sustainability and helping communities adapt to climate risks,” said Rob Bernard, chief sustainability officer, CBRE.

Commercial buildings have the potential to play a large role in cities’ ability to achieve their carbon reduction targets. Buildings account for 39% of energy-related carbon emissions worldwide, including 28% from operational emissions (energy to heat, cool and power them) and 11% from materials and construction (World Green Building Council, 2019).

Reducing GHG emissions is a growing priority for real estate investors and occupiers. Nearly 70% of the more than 500 commercial real estate professionals participating in a 2022 CBRE global survey cited reducing GHG emissions as a top organization goal.

“The transition to a low carbon future is increasing the complexity of real estate decision making. Occupiers and investors have a host of new factors and costs to consider, including new regulations. Cities that show climate resilience will attract more occupiers looking to meet their own decarbonization goals and are likely to benefit from a halo effect on property values,” said Dennis Schoenmaker, executive director and principal economist, CBRE Econometric Advisors.

Click here to view the report.