Decarbonisation roadmap, eco-certification in the residential sector, the future of the circular economy and other ecological trends in today’s construction world - these were some of the topics that we discussed in an interview with Iveta Králová, Chair of the Czech Green Building Council.

Property group NEPI Rockcastle has updated its green financing framework by introducing more stringent eligibility criteria for financing or refinancing the assets or expenditures classified as eligible green projects. 

UDI Group has opened the fully completed Sázava Logistics Park on the D1 motorway near Ostředek in the Central Bohemia Region. The construction of the complex, which offers 50,000 sqm of space, required an investment of CZK 1 billion (€42 million). Approximately 300 employees have found work in four plants. The group is currently building another similar facility, which will offer 130,000 sqm of space in three halls. The investment is worth CZK 3 billion (€126 million).

Wood is a building material that experts believe has a great future for many reasons. Firstly, it plays a significant role as a renewable material it is also a key in mixed-use buildings and contributes significantly to ESG or carbon neutrality targets. Thus, the demand for wooden buildings and prefabricated wooden products is not decreasing, quite the opposite, says Martin Skalický, Chairman of the Advisory Board at Progresus Invest Holding in an interview with Property Forum.

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.

A new industrial building has been constructed in CTPark Prague West near Prague, which holds a record 92.1% ‘BREEAM New Construction’ sustainability certification score of ‘Outstanding’, making it the ‘greenest’ industrial building in the Czech Republic. The warehouse, which was built under strict environmental measures, features a range of innovative solutions contributing to energy efficiency, as well as facilities to support local animals, abundant greenery, and a charging station for electric vehicles.

Investors prefer sustainability to be measured in the case of commercial buildings too. Therefore new detailed rules will be elaborated and a so-called green passport for properties will be introduced, international law firm Baker McKenzie and CBRE reported after a special roundtable discussion in Budapest. 

Decarbonization of the construction sector plays a crucial role in achieving climate goals, as the real estate market is responsible for 38% of global CO2 emissions, according to UN data. In the case of new buildings, especially industrial ones, eco-friendly solutions have become the new standard. In fact, it’s often required by investors, says Marcin Kosieniak, MEP design specialist and co-owner of the PM Projekt construction design office, and expert of the RRJ Group.

The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC), the coalition representing over 5,000 organizations from across the building value chain, has asked Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to back amendments to the Energy Performance of Building Directive (EPBD) designed to accelerate building renovation and to address total lifecycle emissions of buildings. 

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.