As ESG expectations move from aspiration to obligation, real estate leaders are being forced to confront how sustainability directly affects asset value, financing and long-term resilience. Chaired by ESG Partner Tjidsger Wierda of Walvius Partners, the sustainability session at CEE Property Forum 2025 brought together a range of expertise and pragmatic perspectives on the evolving role of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) in commercial real estate.

Local developer ELI Parks has announced the launch of the second phase of the ELI Park Iași project, adding another 20,000 sqm of industrial and logistics spaces to the existing 20,000 sqm.

YIT has completed its residential project Sija Kamýk in Prague 12, featuring ecological and energy-efficient elements. The residential building on the corner of Hodkovická and Mariánská streets comprises 122 units with areas from 30 to 116 sqm.

EPP, Poland's largest shopping centre manager, has achieved its 2030 greenhouse gas emission reduction targets ahead of schedule.

Panattoni has exceeded 500,000 sqm of industrial space with the highest Outstanding rating under the international Breeam New Construction sustainability certification in the Czech Republic. This milestone was achieved with the recent certification of ZF's automated distribution centre at Panattoni Business Park Ostrov North.

Older buildings usually consume more energy in operation than new construction. That is not only a cost issue. It also affects how an asset performs against market standards like BREEAM, EU Taxonomy, and CRREM, as well as regulations such as the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and the rules for Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS). Many owners assume the only way to close the gap is a major refurbishment. Better insulation and new equipment certainly help, but they are expensive and disruptive. Investments in deep fabric and equipment upgrades can reach one to five percent of the asset value.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has released its 2025 Sustainability Report, revealing a slowdown in global demand growth for sustainable buildings and concerning lack of progress in carbon measurement across construction projects. The report, based on insight from more than 3,500 real estate and construction professionals across 36 countries, warns that momentum behind sustainable development risks stalling without stronger policy intervention and skills development.

AFI Czech Republic has officially begun construction of its new rental project AFI Home V Korytech in Prague 10 featuring 519 residential units. Construction will proceed in two phases that started simultaneously, with the first phase completing in Q2 2028 and the second a year later. Metrostav DIZ serves as the general contractor.

Echo Investment has signed a sale agreement for Brain Park C building. The latest phase of the Kraków-based office complex will be acquired by Greenstone Asset Management, a private equity and investment firm. The building provides 13,700 sqm of GLA and has an BREEAM rating.

Skanska has begun construction of Nowy Rynek C, the final part of a modern office complex in central Poznań. The building will be Poland's first commercial office building with net-zero CO₂ emissions at operational level and will be completely independent from the city's district heating network.