Key takeaways from the Realty Belgium Real Estate Summit
The Realty property event provided a platform for the latest trends and challenges within the property sector. Gijs, Steve and Carl returned with valuable insights that could influence the direction of the market.
Key takeaways:
1. Sustainability in planning permissions: sustainability is increasingly being incorporated as standard into the planning permission process. Integrating sustainable practices can not only contribute to our climate targets, but can also speed up the planning permission process. A clear ESG asset strategy offers developers and investors an opportunity to lead the way in the sustainability race.
2. Importance of decarbonisation: managing CO2 emissions is playing an increasingly prominent role in the construction process. Focusing on reducing ‘embodied carbon’ (i.e. emissions from the production, transport and installation of building materials) can offer significant opportunities. A commonly used method for assessing this is life-cycle analysis (LCA). This also presents opportunities for innovation in sustainable construction methods.
3. Stable interest rates: the recent cut in interest rates is creating positive momentum for buyers and investors. This step, combined with green loans for sustainable business activities, can help stimulate sustainable growth in the property sector.
4. Opportunity for standardisation: more and more stakeholders are asking property companies for transparent ESG data on assets, based on various standards. By seeking synergies between these standards and moving towards standardisation based on ESG ambitions, operational efficiency and transparent communication can be strengthened.
At Encon, we are committed to supporting companies in the property sector. We help them make their projects future-proof and ensure that sustainability and economic viability go hand in hand. Whether it’s integrating sustainability into projects or navigating changing legislation, we’re here to help.
