After issuing a green bond in 2020, CA Immo signed its second sustainability-linked financing instrument at the end of 2021: a €300 million 3-year revolving credit facility (RCF) with two one-year extension options, whose margin is amongst others tied to the company's sustainability performance.

Immofinanz announced its new Net Zero Emission Strategy. Plans call for a reduction of 60% (below the 2019 level) in all greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 – and by 2040, the company intends to be emission-free along the entire value chain.

Skanska aims to cut its emissions by 70% as early as 2030, while more investors are looking for ESG-compliant projects in CEE, Skanska’s Adam Targowski, Environmental Director, Center of Excellence and Aurelia Luca, Executive Vice President Operations Hungary and Romania tell Property Forum in an interview.

Climate change presents new challenges for the real estate sector but also an opportunity to get ahead of the competition. The topic was discussed at Balkans Property Forum 2021, Property Forum’s annual event in Belgrade.

Investment market experts in the Czech Republic are concerned about the potential effects of high inflation and rising interest rates on the market. At the same time, they remain highly optimistic about the future of logistics and keep ESG at the top of their agenda, according to a recent panel discussion at Prague Property Forum 2021, moderated by Jaroslav Kaizr MRICS, Expert Director of the MBARE programme at VŠE.

Revetas Group says it has shifted its entire portfolio of assets in Romania to renewable energy, as a continuation of the company’ commitment to ESG practices. 

Colliers has just launched a new report titled Commercial Real Estate – our industry today, tomorrow, and beyond: Engage, Evolve, Accelerate. By publishing this report, Colliers is providing a comprehensive guide for corporate occupiers and industry stakeholders on how to approach the commercial real estate and workplace landscape as we emerge post-pandemic. This will enable the adaption of occupational strategies, rethinking of organisational operating models and the delivery of enhanced growth in the next cycle.

Since the start of 2021, around 189,000 sqm of offices were leased on the Bucharest market, of which 70% were for spaces in buildings with green certifications, according to real estate consultancy CBRE Romania. 

The 2028 pledge, launched ahead of COP26, is a potential game changer for the industry as the accelerated action plan aims at net zero without offsets several years ahead of IPCC’s target date. Nordic real estate investor, NREP, has committed to being carbon neutral by 2028 without offsets, encompassing both operational and embodied carbon. 

The global drive to advance sustainability is creating considerable uncertainty in the investment market for real estate, according to a new report by Colliers EMEA. The report, ‘ESG: A Tipping Point’, points to an urgent need for policymakers to agree on pragmatic, actionable targets that will support the creation of clear, consistent technical standards and benchmarks enabling the reallocation of both capital and skills as investors rush to factor new ESG realities into decision-making.