As ESG expectations move from aspiration to obligation, real estate leaders are being forced to confront how sustainability directly affects asset value, financing and long-term resilience. Chaired by ESG Partner Tjidsger Wierda of Walvius Partners, the sustainability session at CEE Property Forum 2025 brought together a range of expertise and pragmatic perspectives on the evolving role of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) in commercial real estate.
Hubert Abt, FRICS, CEO of New Work & workcloud24, contextualised ESG not as a regulatory checkbox but as a cornerstone of asset resilience and risk management. Reflecting on shifting industry paradigms, Abt observed, “Our sector has reached a crossroads—discussion is no longer enough, and the focus must be on practical action. As I like to say, it’s not just about ESG compliance, but about ensuring the resilience of cash flow; a building that loses its insurance or financing due to non-compliance isn’t sustainable in any sense.” Abt further noted that, “The regulatory environment is evolving rapidly. Either you adapt today or risk becoming obsolete tomorrow, because when financing or insurance disappears, so does the viability of the asset.”
The pragmatic thread was continued by Krystian Modrzejewski, Chief Investment Officer at Newgate Investment. Drawing on operational realities in the Central European market, Modrzejewski stated, “The market once regarded ESG as a cost burden, but it’s increasingly clear that innovation and efficiency are keys to survival. By integrating solutions like rainwater harvesting, energy production, and automation, we not only control operating costs but also future-proof our portfolios against regulatory and tenant-driven demands.” He emphasised the shift in sentiment among stakeholders: “The banks and our largest tenants are already demanding proof of sustainability. We can be proactive or we can be forced to catch up at a much higher cost in the future.”
Bringing an investor’s perspective, Josef Malíř, Executive Director at Star Capital Finance, clarified the balance between responsible stewardship and profitability. “In our business, sustainability is an opportunity as well as a challenge,” Malíř explained. “Our strategy involves identifying stakeholders and creating value for investors while maintaining a robust ESG approach—often before the acquisition even takes place. There’s much talk about risks, but the real risk lies in neglecting sustainability and losing relevance to both investors and tenants.” Malíř added, “Even seemingly simple steps, like upgrading lighting to energy-efficient LEDs, demonstrate that sustainability and profitability are not mutually exclusive.”
Tamás Méri, Co-Founder and Chief Business Development Officer at Access4you International, broadened the discussion to social inclusion and accessibility, urging the audience to see universal design as both a commercial and social imperative. “True long-term value lies in creating environments accessible to all,” stated Méri. “By providing transparent information and removing barriers for disabled users, we capture a broader market, enhance tenant retention, and embed trust within our communities. Accessibility isn’t just a regulatory concern—it’s about making choices that build equity and resilience for every stakeholder.” He concluded, “The cost of changing a mindset is far less than the future cost of exclusion. Trust, transparency, and inclusivity are seeds for sustainable growth.”
