Insight

Responsible Real Estate

Buildings account for 40% of carbon emissions

Sustainability

Sustainability strategy

Office

Energy

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Decarbonizing the Built Environment

This decade is seen as the tipping point for climate change. With the built environment responsible for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, reducing the environmental impact of real estate is a key priority for Investors and corporate occupiers. Our survey of nearly 1,000 senior executive leaders around the world reveals how corporate and investor real estate strategies are evolving to achieve better sustainability outcomes and gives us a unique opportunity to learn from organizations with the most advanced and effective sustainability strategies. The real estate industry has accelerated its focus on responsibility and social purpose.

Real estate sustainability seen as a key priority but more decisive actions are needed

83%

of our respondents are looking at ways to innovate and accelerate their sustainability strategies.

Top priorities

for both investors and corporate occupiers are to create places that are human (promoting healthy lifestyle, safety, and wellbeing) and green (respectful of earth's resources and supporting occupants' health and wellbeing).

but only 6%

currently see themselves as ‘leaders’ in measuring and reporting in real time on the environmental impact of their real estate holdings.

Explore survey results

What can we learn from leading real estate investors and corporate occupiers, those with the most advanced sustainability strategies? Explore the data visualization below to find out about their key areas of focus and investment.

Dr Marie Puybaraud shares the key highlights from the survey

In this short video, Dr Marie Puybaraud introduces the Responsible Real Estate research program and shares some of the key findings from our global survey - Decarbonizing the Built Environment.

How can corporate occupiers reduce the environmental impact of real estate?

Richa Walia looks at the lessons we can learn from leading occupiers and their sustainability strategies, from quick wins to more sophisticated programs.

Is sustainability a priority for real estate investors and occupiers?

Lori Mabardi explains that both investors and corporate occupiers now see ‘climate risk as financial risk’ and although the challenges in tackling carbon emissions from real estate are complex, the opportunities to make a real impact are plentiful.

Why are collaborative partnerships so vital for green progress?

Jeremy Kelly explores the need for an ecosystem of partnerships to achieve the right balance of regulation, advocacy, coercion, and incentivisation on the journey to net zero.