Flora Harley
Partner, Head of Energy & Sustainability Research
Global Headquarters, GB
Flora joined Knight Frank in 2017 as part of the Residential Research team to provide analysis on geopolitical and economic trends on global wealth. Flora continues to contribute to and present the Knight Frank Wealth Report having been involved with seven editions and executive editor in 2022 and 2023. Prior to this Flora worked as an economist at KPMG and the UK Government.
Latest research
ESG
Bringing the energy: A COP & UK Budget special
Another year, another COP and possibly the most trailed UK Budget of all time.
28 November 2025
ESG
A sustainable budget? Key takeaways for energy & sustainability in real estate
A summary and analysis of the November 2025 budget from an energy and sustainability perspective, including energy prices, EVs and support for more supply
28 November 2025
ESG
Physical risks priced, asset owner views and sustainability in the Alps
In this edition, we explore how physical climate risk is influencing the cost of capital, how alpine resorts are adapting to climate change, and what SMEs and asset owners are doing around sustainability. We’d also like your perspective – if you think something is missing from today’s sustainability conversation in property, or you have a burning question, please share your thoughts on the link below.
06 November 2025
ESG
Why ESG as a term may be out, but the action is not
Today I look at what the signals and actions regarding sustainability are - cutting through the noise of headlines - and how this relates to real estate and a focus on Energy Use Intensity (EUI).
02 October 2025
ESG
Unlocking value through EUI
Energy Use Intensity (EUI) is fast becoming a critical metric for both investors and regulators. Understanding how buildings perform in practice has never been more important. While EUI requires alignment and consistency in measurement, it is likely to become central to asset value. Grasping EUI and the measures to improve it is a vital first step, with ongoing measurement and management essential for future-proofing.
01 October 2025
ESG
Green shoots: spotlight on renewable energy
With renewed momentum and autumn approaching in the UK I focus on renewable energy, highlighting not only the growth in deployment but activity in transactions of both ready-to-build and operational sites.
11 September 2025
ESG
Is ESG just inherent in business operations?
In this month’s newsletter we discuss our latest global occupier research (Y)OUR SPACE which shows how ESG is being integrated into real estate strategies, and the UK government’s newest EV incentives.
07 August 2025
ESG
Key takeaways from the new UK Solar Roadmap
A review of the latest government action and policies on solar energy for real estate developers, owners, and investors
30 July 2025
ESG
Will climate cause the next financial crisis?
As discussed last week, London Climate Action Week (LCAW) sparked a wealth of debate on resilience in real estate and the growing impact of climate on valuations, particularly through insurance. This section explores the hidden costs, broader economic impacts, and whether AI could be a game-changer
10 July 2025
ESG
Is climate reshaping tourism?
With the much of the northern hemisphere in summer holiday season I’ve taken a timely dive into the impact of emissions and climate on tourism & real estate. I also take stock of the latest report from the Climate Change Committee on what the new Labour government has inherited.
08 July 2025
ESG
The UK Government’s Clean Energy Superpower Mission
After the buzz of London Climate Action Week (LCAW), I dissect the interplay of real estate and the government's stated ambitions through its Modern Industrial Strategy, Spending Review and Infrastructure Plan as well as look at resilience of real estate.
03 July 2025
ESG
UK's Modern Industrial Strategy
What the government's Modern Industrial Strategy's focus on clean energy and sustainability means for real estate
27 June 2025
ESG
Procuring renewable power with CPPAs – what are the options and why it matters for occupiers, landlords and renewable developers
Energy use in buildings is under increasing scrutiny, not just for efficiency, but for its source and emissions. There’s a growing demand for fully electric buildings with renewably sourced power, which is now a key topic in real estate and corporate sustainability discussions
26 June 2025
ESG
Key findings from ESG Property Investor Survey 2025
A unique research survey providing valuable insight into how ESG trends are shaping property investment decisions
09 June 2025
ESG
Renewing the grid, green homes and clean tech
Welcome to the June edition, where I highlight the latest movements in the energy grid reform, dive into the latest English Housing Survey results on the efficiency of homes, and discuss how real estate can support the growing clean tech sector.
05 June 2025
ESG
Powering Up: Data Centers and EVs
This month we explore Data Centres and ESG – renewable energy to repurposing heat – and the latest in EV developments and implications.
01 May 2025
ESG
How ESG is and will continue to shape property investment
The real estate industry is continuously adapting to the growing impact of ESG. This month, we dive headfirst into the results of our second ESG Property Investor Survey. This year’s results highlight the key drivers of ESG strategies, the financial and operational impacts of inaction, and a growing appetite for retrofitting. Complementing this, we conclude our Meeting the Commercial Retrofit Challenge series, our third report in the series provides actionable insights into the opportunities and challenges of upgrading assets.
03 April 2025
ESG
Sustainability Series
A unique research survey providing valuable insight into how ESG trends are shaping property investment decisions.
31 March 2025
ESG
A new SPV - Solar power value
The potential solar photovoltaics (PV) energy generation opportunities for the UK from car parks and rooftops.
31 March 2025
ESG
REframing ESG
A new framework to refocus and simplify the approach to ESG in property to achieve outcomes and what wealthy individual are doing in this space
31 March 2025
ESG
Meeting the Commercial Property Retrofit Challenge
Part 3: Future-proofing, Practicalities & Possibilities
28 March 2025
ESG
ESG and wealth, plus the Omnibus
This month we focus on how private investors have integrated ESG into their investments and lifestyles with the release of the 2025 Wealth Report. We also look at the latest developments on ESG sentiment and the EU Omnibus of regulation for real estate.
06 March 2025
