On the occasion of Property Forum’s Living Investment Forum 2023 and under the umbrella of the RICS CEE residential working group, an online survey was conducted among large residential developers and management companies from Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania with help from industry organisations and RICS professional network to get insight on what importance ESG considerations play in the residential sector in the CEE region. In the survey, 80% of respondents claimed that ESG is an important factor in their business decisions at the “strategy level”.

Colliers released its third annual Impact Report, highlighting progress towards realizing a more sustainable and equitable future for all. This report includes information on how Colliers is delivering resilient buildings, inclusive workplaces, and spaces that promote health and well-being.

Modern office buildings are an important part of ESG strategies for many companies. However, the real estate market in the Czech Republic is not yet fully prepared for the new ESG-related requirements. Even construction projects planned over the next few years will not resolve this issue, since meeting strict standards and certification requirements is both procedurally and financially demanding, Colliers reports.

The opening panel of European ESG Property Forum 2023, which took place last week in Warsaw, has shown that the best stimulator to implement ESG strategies in the property market are always the financial and legal regulations.

The Polish office buildings owned by PineBridge Benson Elliot and Sharow Capital - the Diamentum Office in Wrocław, Okrąglak and Kwadraciak in Poznań, Forum 76 in Łódź, Opera Office in Gdańsk and Vinci Office Center in Kraków - have renewed the WELL Health-Safety Rating certification. MVGM was responsible for the certification process of the office buildings.

There is definitely a trend of less space requirement in the Polish market. Marta Zawadzka, Leasing Director at Yareal Polska talked to Property Forum about the incoming supply gap in the Polish office market and changing preferences of the tenants.

H2 Energy, a subsidiary of Westa Investments, has signed an agreement with JLL. The contract covers advisory support regarding investment located in Poland’s Lubuskie province. The investor plans to build one of the largest Hydrogen Valleys in Europe, which will be based on large-scale wind and photovoltaic farms. The role of JLL's experts in the project will be to obtain a partner interested in jointly developing the hydrogen hub with H2 Energy.

Dennis Selinas, Globalworth Group CEO, spoke with Property Forum about the investment plans in the industrial segment, the outlook for rents in Bucharest and the efforts to enhance the value of its office portfolio on the Polish and Romanian markets

Colliers Poland has launched a new Energy Advisory service designed to provide clients with comprehensive advice on optimizing their electricity purchasing processes, selecting renewable alternatives, and building energy independence using their own sources. The practice will be led by Dariusz Chrzanowski, an expert with 15 years of experience in the energy market.

Ann Gray FRICS, President of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and President-Elect Tina Paillet FRICS spoke to Property Forum at MIPIM about the recent and upcoming changes in the organization, innovative carbon reduction standards and creating equal opportunities in the property industry.