From Fitzrovia to the future: The Langham Estate’s journey to net zero
Covering 11.3 iconic acres of Fitzrovia in the beating heart of London’s West End, The Langham Estate isn’t just managing commercial property—it’s shaping a legacy. Known for its commitment to excellence, The Langham Estate has now added a chapter to its story: it has become the first organisation to achieve Planet Mark Certified – Net Zero Committed.
Determined to protect its future, the well-renowned property management and commercial real estate company set its sights on legacy. But ambition alone wasn’t enough. With no additional resource in-house, the company needed a partner who could turn a net zero vision into action, supporting them to manage, monitor and reduce carbon emissions. The Langham Estate also wanted to ensure that employees were upskilled on sustainability and understood how working towards net zero could be built into the business.
Choosing a partner that stands for progress
What drew The Langham Estate to Planet Mark? According to Richard Hillyard, Head of Sustainability at The Langham Estate, it came down to trust, recognition, and results. “Planet Mark provides tangible recognition through certification—it’s how we show we’re on the right track each year.”
Beyond certification, it was the technical expertise and wrap-around support that made Planet Mark the clear choice for The Langham Estate. The property manager leaned on Planet Mark’s expertise to help understand its net zero baseline and shape a meaningful, data-driven Net Zero Transition Plan. “Having Planet Mark’s technical knowledge and resources is a huge weight off our shoulders,” says Richard.
A certification that inspires action
Planet Mark Certification isn’t just a symbol—it’s a motivator. Internally, it’s helped employees see net zero as something tangible, measurable, and achievable. It’s united the team with a sense of purpose and pride. The certificate now hangs as a visual reminder of collective effort.
Richard comments on the impact Planet Mark has had on The Langham Estate, “Planet Mark makes net zero easy to understand, it is able to take what is technical and make it digestible, conveying sustainability in user friendly terms. I’ve witnessed employees respond, listen, and engage in workshops and it’s comforting to see such an important message getting across in the right away.”
Certification as a commercial differentiator
For The Langham Estate, becoming Planet Mark Certified has delivered more than just progress on their sustainability journey. In a highly competitive market like Fitzrovia, certification acts as a signal of quality and credibility, reassuring tenants that sustainability is embedded in the way the Estate is managed. Certification has helped position The Langham Estate not only as an organisation that recognises the importance of sustainability, but as a trusted and forward-thinking commercial landlord.
As Richard puts it, “Our estate isn’t built on continuous expansion—we’re custodians of a historic collection of properties in the heart of Fitzrovia. With that comes a responsibility to preserve their legacy while evolving them to meet the expectations of today’s tenants. For us, it’s about maintaining a resilient, future-focused business—protecting long-term income while actively working towards net zero. Certification plays a key role in that journey, driving up the quality of the spaces we offer and deepening our engagement with the local community. It’s part of our commitment to be a positive force in Fitzrovia.”
Getting started on the measurement journey
Measurement is where momentum begins. Since working with Planet Mark, The Langham Estate’s data collection processes and data quality have greatly improved, notably the company now has better energy data. Improved data collection has not only helped The Langham Estate certify, but it has also helped with SECR reporting which is a legal requirement. “We are now having conversations across the company on obtaining better quality data, and that’s all driven by Planet Mark Certification,” says Richard.
Setting net zero targets to maintain focus
With Planet Mark’s Strategy Consultants by its side, The Langham Estate could break down what can feel like an overwhelming task—setting net zero targets. Through Planet Mark’s net zero strategy work, the company set both near-term and long-term targets, to give the team achievable milestones to work towards, including a 2040 net zero target.
Kickstarting decarbonisation
The Langham Estate understands that transformative change often starts with small steps, starting with the simple solutions. The company has switched to procuring 100% renewable energy and is transitioning away from gas boilers to install more energy efficient equipment. By starting with smaller decarbonisation initiatives, the door has been opened for further change.
Sparking conversations, shaping culture on journey to net zero
Beyond carbon, Planet Mark worked closely with The Langham Estate to facilitate bespoke focus groups that sparked open conversations across the organisation. These sessions are directly informing the development of a Social Sustainability Strategy, uniquely shaped around The Langham Estate’s values, people, and priorities. Sustainability is therefore becoming deeply embedded in The Langham Estate’s culture and governance, guiding how the business thinks, acts, and evolves.
Looking ahead: The Langham Estate, a beacon of sustainability in Fitzrovia Quarter
With the right plan, the right people, and the right partner, The Langham Estate is taking the necessary best steps to accelerate its net zero journey. Retrofitting its buildings will be a critical part of reducing Scope 3 emissions (Category 13: Downstream Leased Assets), and it’s already top of the agenda.
The commitment from leadership is clear, and the momentum is building. Richard adds, “the Board get net zero and want to do it and we’re certainly starting to turn the dial. The only way we’re going to get to net zero is by sharing and collaborating on what works and what doesn’t. Pushing towards net zero drives innovation and that drives change.”
With Planet Mark’s Net Zero Committed Certification membership package, The Langham Estate is not only supported—it’s empowered and it’s becoming a guiding light for what sustainable property management can be.
