The Polish branch of Cushman & Wakefield advisory agency is reorganizing and expanding its service in the field of defining, achieving and reporting ESG objectives. Its ESG Hub of experts from various business lines will be led by Katarzyna Lipka, Head of Strategic Consulting and Research, in partnership with Ilona Otoka, Senior ESG Consultant. The ESG Hub will deliver and expand its services for Cushman & Wakefield’s clients in cooperation with the firm’s global network of ESG and sustainability specialists.

The effects of higher interest rates have yet to cause too much distress within the likes of the Prague market, says Richard Britten-Long, Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Českomoravská Nemovitostní, in an interview for Property Forum. He also talked about key market drivers, including ESG.

CPI Property Group has announced the completion of the modernization process of the myhive Victoria Park building in Bucharest. The building completes the myhive building portfolio in Bucharest, which includes 4 other properties, including myhive S-Park, myhive Metroffice, myhive IRIDE | nineteen and myhive IRIDE | twenty.

CEE-based media and event platform Property Forum has launched a news portal, green-forum.eu, publishing stories on the topic of ESG with a geographical focus on Central and Eastern Europe. Designed to bring you the latest news and information from around the region in real-time, Green Forum’s goal is to provide its readers with the most accurate, up-to-date and unbiased news possible.

Property developer Speedwell says it will be installing photovoltaic panels on two of its office projects in Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca in a bid to make its building more sustainable. 

Developer Garbe Industrial Real Estate CEE has completed the construction of the first building of its industrial park in Piešťany, Slovakia. The new development is in line with the company’s sustainable philosophy and the hall's roof features photovoltaic panels, which will be the primary renewable energy source.

As the European Union has proposed the move towards zero-emission buildings by 2030, a significant portion of the energy consumption of these projects should be covered by energy from renewable sources. This includes renewable energy produced on-site or nearby so property companies are starting to invest in such facilities in a bid to lower operating costs and meet targets under their ESG agendas. The investments in such capacities have been boosted by the high energy price environment and the need of property companies to enhance the security of power supplies.

The Czech real estate market in 2023 will be driven mainly by inflation, which will also determine this year´s ten real estate market trends. Among them will be high construction costs, pressure for ESG compliance and looking for a balance between savings, spending a responsible investing, says Colliers in its real estate market prediction for this year.

Stefan de Goeij has rejoined CTP as ESG and Energy Lead, after a two-year break, reporting directly to the company’s founder and CEO Remon Vos.

Some players in the Hungarian commercial property sector have made significant steps to transform the industry, but the majority have failed to do so. Property Forum asked Zsombor Barta, President of the Hungary Green Building Council (HuGBC) about the way the entire industry should act to reach net zero as adopted by the European Union.