Nearly half of Asia Pacific corporate end-users say sustainability is a critical issue, but only one in ten are willing to pay a high premium to go green. 47 percent of Asia Pacific corporations indicate that sustainability is a critical issue, according to a survey by CoreNet Global and Jones Lang LaSalle. Over 400 corporate real estate end-users were queried during CoreNet Global Summits on four continents in 2007.

The survey found that, for 69 per cent of respondents across Asia Pacific, sustainability is a near-term business issue that's important today, or will be in the next 1-2 years. Globally, 73 percent agree with this statement, demonstrating that the region is not too far behing the curve on the issue.

79 percent of those in Asia Pacific consider sustainability as representing an opportunity but few were willing to put their money where their mouth is. Only 12 percent indicated a willingness to pay a double digit premium to meet sustainable real estate needs. That said, in this category Asia Pacific compares extremely favourably to the US and EMEA where only three percent showed willing.

However, even for those who would pay in Asia, supply is patchy and in some cases seen as non-existent. Only 13 percent of respondents said that good, environmentally friendly real estate solutions are available in their markets of interest and 48 percent said there is minimal or limited supply overall.

"Our corporate occupier and investor clients are increasingly focused on the energy efficiency and sustainability of their real estate," says Chris Wallbank, National Director of Sustainability & Engineering Services at Jones Lang LaSalle Australia.