Whilst significant ink has flowed in relation to the ‘E’ pillar from the vast ESG spectrum, the ‘S’ pillar is beginning to catch up in prominence particularly in the office sector across the UK and Continental Europe. Post-Covid behaviours have had a massive impact on the office offering and workforce demands - the office is by no means dead, but its role has certainly had a significant rethink, writes Mirela Calota, Director, Deal Advisory - Real Estate and Infrastructure at KPMG, in an article prepared for Property Forum.

Colliers has promoted Andrzej Gutowski as ESG Chief Officer in CEE, including Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia.

GLP has begun construction of a new 38,000 sqm warehouse near the eastern border of Warsaw, close to the A2 motorway junction. The development will contribute to a reduction in CO2 emissions through the implementation of heat pumps, enhanced insulation, and smart metering.

As the European Commission expands its Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives, most of the focus has been on how they affect large banks and corporations. However, the financial and corporate accountability rules are very relevant for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), especially in the real estate sector. Strategic policy and research consultant Lisa Chase has summarised the policy framework for Property Forum.

In 2024, the Polish commercial property market will be largely impacted by growing ESG regulatory pressure, says Cushman & Wakefield in its latest report. Following the entry into force of the EU reporting standards and the revised EPBD, investors will be required to place an increasing emphasis on implementing practical sustainable solutions for their property portfolios.

According to experts from Colliers, the Czech real estate market is facing several challenges this year.

Capital Park Group has started to power its investment projects exclusively with energy from renewable sources. As of January 2024, Norblin Factory, Royal Wilanów and two Vis à Vis street malls use 100% green energy. The total area of all projects powered by RES is more than 110,000 sqm. The energy supplier is Enefit. The Westbridge Advisory team advised Capital Park in the procurement process.

7R will introduce a battery energy storage unit at 7R Park Wrocław West II. This innovative solution is unprecedented in facilities of this type. It will allow for storing the energy and, consequently, a significant reducing of the carbon footprint.

The Romanian property market remains attractive for investments, with 65% of investors surveyed by Cushman & Wakefield Echinox saying they are looking to expand their presence in the local market.

Uncertainty and volatility have been the two dominant trends shaping the commercial real estate market and buyer sentiment in recent months. However, according to the latest report from Cushman & Wakefield, the Polish market, whose fundamentals remain strong, is broadly expected to regain equilibrium. Change is being seen in the number and types of real estate transactions taking place – due to the constrained availability of safe prime assets for sale on the office market and high financing costs, investors seeking higher returns are turning their focus to higher-risk transactions. With retail footfall figures for large schemes back at satisfactory levels after the pandemic and attractive asset pricing, the retail market has become an interesting sector for bargain hunting. The warehouse and logistics sector continues to feature prominently on investors’ radars.