The first phase of Skanska's H2Offices has earned a Platinum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Core and Shell version 4 certification with 84 points, which is currently the highest score in Hungary. Based on its accessibility features, the building also obtained the highest rating of Access4You certification, meaning Gold level.

Investors, developers, construction companies, banks and end-users are the main stakeholders in the property value chain. To get the perfect result, you have to involve one more expert, a sustainability manager who will have a special role: represent the Environment, says Dávid Jakab, Managing Partner of advisory firm Realiscon. He and Enikő Kluha, BREEAM Assessor, Advisory Professional at Realiscon talked to Property Forum to provide detailed insight into certification systems.

With a share of 70-80% of the total building stock, the retail sector in Romania has the biggest number of projects that have received green certifications, followed the industrial and office projects, according to real estate consultancy Colliers. 

Alicja Kuczera, CEO of the Polish Green Building Council (PLGBC) talked to Property Forum about the impact of the energy crisis on the local property market, the development of a circular economy and environmental awareness in Poland.

Negotiators of the Council and the European Parliament reached an agreement aimed at taxing imports based on the greenhouse gas emissions needed to make the products, which would extensively cover the imports of construction materials. 

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is supporting the development of the secondary market for green commercial real estate in CEE with an equity investment of up to €50 million, in partnership with Adventum's Penta real estate fund. The partnership will acquire commercial real-estate assets, which will then undergo upgrades to improve their resource efficiency.

Ghelamco has completed the construction of its first three photovoltaic farms in Poland as a part of a program to achieve energy neutrality announced in May this year.

Josef Wiedermann, Managing Director of UBM Development Czechia talked to Property Forum about recent changes, ESG strategies and provided insight into the company’s ambitious plans for becoming the largest developer of timber buildings in Europe.

Equilibrium 2, the second phase of the Equilibrium project developed by Skanska in northern Bucharest, has obtained the preliminary Net Zero Carbon Buildings certification, granted by the Romania Green Building Council (RoGBC).

Earth Hour, initiated by WWF, was joined by CPI Hungary and new energy market provider Energo Hungary.