Real estate sustainability strategies

Real estate sustainability strategies cover a range of measures aimed at reducing the environmental impact of buildings and improving the social and economic outcomes of the communities they serve. Also, in terms of ESG, data management and sustainability reporting are becoming a must-have in this sector.

ESG in property comes with long-term success

Whether for a new construction project or an existing portfolio: If you want to shape the future of your real estate, our experts are your first choice for your real estate sustainability strategy.

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ESG and its impact on real estate

Real estate developers, owners and investors face a tremendous challenge in the transition towards sustainable, net-zero buildings, particularly as financial markets and regulators demand ambitious strategies and reliable ESG data from the sector. Thus, assessing a building’s or portfolio’s carbon footprint, developing a climate strategy with science-based emissions reduction paths and comprehensive measures for existing and new buildings have become major tasks for the real estate sector. Moreover, addressing climate risks and adaptation contributes to the value retention of your property. Also, managing and reporting ESG data have great strategic importance.

Major topics in sustainable real estate and green building
Major topics in sustainable real estate

How your real estate can benefit from a sustainability strategy

Implementing sustainability in property can bring multiple benefits to companies and investors. Sustainable real estate investment can increase the value and competitiveness of properties, attract environmentally conscious tenants, and lower operating costs through energy-efficient systems. Sustainable real estate development can lead to increased brand reputation, competitive advantage, and long-term financial benefits. Moreover, real estate and sustainability go hand in hand, as integrating sustainable practices and technologies contributes to the transition to a more sustainable future.

Discover the full potential of a sustainability strategy from EY denkstatt for your real estate.

Our sustainability strategy services

We support you with sound sustainability and climate strategies, a solid understanding of building certification and taxonomy requirements, and a broad set of measures that form your real estate sustainability strategy:

Real estate sustainability strategy and ESG reporting

Using our real estate sustainability strategy and sustainable reporting expertise as well as sector-specific standards (e.g. DGNB/ÖGNI, BREEAM, LEED) to develop a sustainability strategy with targets and measures, to improve ESG data management, and to report sustainability data. Major benefits include:

  • Focus on material sustainability topics
  • Better ESG data and performance
  • Alignment with regulatory, consumer, and investor expectations
  • Clear building certification strategy (system, ambition)
  • Increased liveability and long-term value, reduced costs
  • Better sustainability communication toward stakeholders

Real estate decarbonization

From assessing the carbon footprint to the implementation of comprehensive measures for a portfolio of new and existing buildings: Decarbonization in the building sector is more in demand than ever before. At the same time, you benefit from the following aspects:

  • Clear picture of the climate impact along the client’s value chain
  • Clear path towards net-zero buildings with science-based targets
  • Comprehensive and ambitious decarbonization measures towards net-zero operational and embodied carbon
  • Proactive approach for new construction and renovation
  • Better management of climate-related risks
  • Better investment decisions and financing conditions
We support you in different stages of your processes and find a strategy that suits your company!
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FAQ

Frequently asked questions about sustainable real estate

Sustainability in real estate is a set of practices and principles that aim to minimize the environmental impact of buildings and communities while also promoting economic viability and social well-being. While green building mostly relates to ecological aspects, sustainability in real estate is much more than eco buildings. Sustainable real estate is achieved through the use of environmentally friendly and energy-efficient technologies, materials, and processes in the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of real estate assets. However, the ultimate goal is to create properties that are resilient, resource-efficient, and able to meet the needs of both current and future generations, which also include social aspects. A hot tip: Building sustainability concepts and green building standards are the way to go.

Climate change can have significant impacts on real estate, including physical, economic, and regulatory impacts. Some of the physical impacts include increased frequency and the severity of natural disasters such as floods and droughts, which can lead to property damage and loss of revenue. Economic impacts can include rising costs for insurance and energy, as well as declining property values in areas that are increasingly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Regulatory impacts can include changes in building codes and zoning regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increased scrutiny of the CO2 footprint of real estate projects. Additionally, changing consumer preferences and social attitudes towards sustainability and environmental responsibility can also impact the demand for sustainable and green real estate. In short, the real estate sector is subject to increasing obligations to mitigate climate change, but must also overcome challenges toward climate resilience.

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations are becoming increasingly important in the real estate industry. As a result, real estate has to focus on ways to reduce the carbon footprint, improve social outcomes, and operate with transparency and ethics. The integration of ESG practices into the real estate industry can drive long-term value and success for companies, while also contributing to a more sustainable and inclusive world. If you want to know how you can benefit from ESG practices in your real estate business, get in touch with our real estate sustainability experts.

Recent news
In-house

EY denkstatt: A new chapter begins

The denkstatt Group joins forces with UV. This means that we are now part of the UV network with 400,000 employees in 150 countries. Together, we are setting new standards in sustainability consulting, especially in the core countries of EY denkstatt Austria, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia – for our clients and sustainable development across national borders.

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April 10, 2024
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