Posts for topic Sustainability

ESG investing continues to evolve with clearer regulatory frameworks, improved data transparency, and structured sustainable investment strategies, such as exclusions, ESG integration, and climate alignment. In 2025, key priorities include widespread adoption of REIDA metrics, enhanced data quality, and standardised methodologies for carbon reduction and energy measurement, reinforcing the long-term commitment to sustainability in investment practices.

A few weeks ago, as the flames ceased their dance upon the timbers of Copenhagen’s historic stock exchange. The iconic 400-year-old building, the symbol of Copenhagen's financial history, helped to thrust a very interesting real estate market into the spotlight.

ESG criteria are steadily gaining in importance in the real estate market, especially when it comes to investment properties. Demand is rising for sustainable property solutions that are equally attractive, both environmentally and economically. Real estate projects that promote energy efficiency, make careful use of resources and offer healthy living spaces are finding increasing favour.

The canton of Geneva is currently debating whether the GEAK standard established in Switzerland should be used in future to reduce CO2 emissions in buildings instead of the heat consumption index (IDC) currently in use. Philippe Bach, Asset Manager Real Estate Direct, explains which solutions are possible within IDC and GEAK using the example of a property in the portfolio.

Ever since the Brundtland Report at the latest it has been clear that we need to change the present if we want to have a sustainable future. While the Brundtland Report of 1987 provides a holistic description of "sustainable development", there are clear parallels to be drawn to developments in the real estate sector.

Sales of electric vehicles have increased worldwide. 25% of cars sold in Switzerland in 2022 can be charged via a power socket. One in six new cars sold is powered exclusively by electricity. But how are all these vehicles getting supplied with electricity?

On 29 June 2022, the Swiss Finance & Property Group (SFP Group) hosted a very special guest. Frank Geisler, president of Labdoo, took receipt of around 60 MS Surfaces and laptops worth tens of thousands of Swiss francs that were being donated to his organisation.

The previous two years were eventful, to say the least, for real estate markets. Most economies have now reopened and are actively employing strategies of “living with COVID”.

Swiss Finance & Property Funds AG’s team for indirect real estate Switzerland has been dealing with the issue of how to compile, assess and integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria into the investment process already for some time.