"We have a huge task ahead of us, but it’s absolutely doable! However, it requires companies to rethink their approach. We need to challenge how we use buildings, how we collaborate, and maybe even rethink what we consider aesthetically pleasing."
The EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) introduces 1,180 data points that companies have to report on – including greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, energy consumption, and social sustainability, to name a few.
"This isn’t just a ‘sustainability thing’ – it will directly impact businesses and everything they do. Companies that don’t take this seriously face financial risks and may ultimately struggle to lease their properties in the future," Anett Andreassen explains.
Many of these reporting requirements demand objective, verifiable data to enhance transparency in sustainability reporting. This raises the bar for reporting practices, data management, and corporate expertise.
"Those who don’t invest in data collection now will have a serious problem" says Andreassen.
The quantity, transparency, and structure of data will be crucial for asset valuation. Additionally, companies will need historical data to prove the impact of sustainability measures over time.
CSRD also introduces a broader value chain requirement than what companies are used to. Businesses must report on the full lifecycle of their products and services – what’s commonly referred to as Scope 2 and 3 emissions.
"This means that large corporations, which are the first to be affected by these regulations, will start demanding data from their suppliers as well," Andreassen adds.
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"There will be a willingness to pay, both in the financial market and among tenants, for sustainable buildings and assets. This presents an opportunity to charge higher rents and differentiate from other property owners when lease agreements are renegotiated leading up to 2030," Anett explains, before she continues:
"The risk is that we make huge investments now by only looking backward, but the true value lies in analyzing and using data going forward. We need to move beyond reporting—companies must have a clear vision of what they want to achieve, how to ensure they are on the right path, and who they should collaborate with to get there."
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This demands high-quality and granular data, but also human expertise. For Anett, it is crucial not to forget the people. –It is the people who use the data that create the value, she emphasizes.
She also believes sustainability conversations must include empathy and responsibility for future generations.
This demands not only high-quality and high-resolution data but also human expertise. For Anett, it’s crucial not to forget the people. It is the people using the data who create the real value, she emphasizes.
To Anett, it also makes little sense to talk about sustainability without considering empathy and the responsibility we have for future generations.
"The difference between money and CO₂ equivalents – or natural resources – is that we can’t borrow the latter from a bank. We have to turn off the tap. The emissions we release today are essentially ‘borrowed’ from future generations," she concludes