A structural shift is rewriting the financial logic of European commercial real estate. It isn't being driven by ESG pressure or voluntary sustainability labels. It's being driven by regulation — and the numbers are concrete enough that ignoring them is becoming a financial risk. A recent white paper by workcloud24 traces the mechanism in detail: how the operational energy and CO₂ performance of a building transmits into net operating income, asset value, and financing conditions. The argument isn't that green buildings are virtuous. It's that inefficient buildings are becoming measurably more expensive to own, operate, and finance.

The GBCI Europe Circle conference was established to provide the LEED community in Europe with a space for professional and social exchange. The next edition is scheduled to take place in Prague from May 14-16 and Property Forum is proud to be joining the event as Media Partner. More about the event’s significance and program has been shared by Kay Killman, Managing Director of GBCI Europe, Vessela Valtcheva-McGee, Director Market Development EE and Simona Kalvoda, Executive Director of the Czech Green Building Council (CZGBC).

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved its real estate sector strategy for the 2025-2029 period that focuses on green and inclusive growth leveraging megatrends like digitalisation and innovation. 

Which is better to meet ESG goals? Greenfield investments or conversion of existing buildings? Wise people say: it depends. Although a lot of top experts took part in a panel at the first CEE ESG Forum organised by Property Forum and Green Forum in Vienna last November, no clear answer emerged from the discussion.

Romanian developer Iulius says its entire portfolio holds green certifications or is pending certification, with more than 500,000 sqm being included in the LEED standard for green buildings.

The European Commission’s pending updates to the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) promise potential opportunities for EU real estate investors. As the Commission considers the SFDR revisions, anticipated for an early 2025 release, investment firms should prepare for greater transparency and closer oversight of their portfolios. Strategic policy and research consultant Lisa Chase (Lucky Fish Research and Communications) has summarised the policy framework for Property Forum.

Romania Green Building Council (RoGBC), together with the Association for Promoting Energy Efficiency in Buildings (ROENEF), have announced the launch of the Green Gala Awards 2023, the event that rewards excellence in the field of sustainability of the built environment. The competition aims to award projects implemented as a result of innovative actions and initiatives that add value to both the community and the environment.

A key to a successful property development is a responsible real estate development strategy which also takes into account accessibility, self-sustainability and biodiversity. Zsolt Hintenberger MRICS, Managing Partner at Realiscon talked to Property Forum about the different aspects of ESG compliance, going deeper than the usual buzzwords.

It has been a busy year for the European Commission’s corporate accountability initiatives, including updates to the EU Sustainable Finance portfolio. These policy changes, reflecting the Commission’s focus on improving the energy performance of the EU building stock, are consequential for EU real estate investors and developers.  New sustainability-linked financing models and Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) ratings standardisation complement the European Green Deal by directing financing to real estate construction and renovation that maximises energy performance. These programs enable EU real estate investors and builders to collaboratively reduce energy use and meet the EU Climate Law’s 2030 goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by fifty-five percent. Strategic policy and research consultant Lisa Chase has summarised the policy framework for Property Forum.

Property Forum is excited to join as Media Partner a free webinar organised by the Romania Green Building Council on the topic of "Investing in and Developing Successful Green/nZEB Building Projects in Romania". The goal of this interactive session is to both inform and gather useful feedback from real estate professionals on how to best accelerate a successful green economy transition.