Green buildings make sense—financially and environmentally

The pressure is mounting on those who ignore green building standards. And it’s not just about protecting the environment – energy efficiency is increasingly a smart financial move.

Here are three key reasons why investing in green buildings makes economic sense. 

1. Energy costs money – and increasingly more

Buildings that waste energy don’t just harm the environment – they drain operational budgets.

Even buildings designed to be energy-efficient can cost thousands in unnecessary energy expenses if systems don't work properly. Imagine the cost in buildings without any energy-saving measures.

With energy markets becoming more volatile, securing stable and predictable energy costs has become increasingly important.

By monitoring your consumption, you can detect and eliminate inefficient usage before they lead to excessive costs.  

🔎 Read more: Efficient energy management.

2. Tenants expect more

If you haven’t already noticed, tenants are becoming more demanding when it comes to sustainability – and this trend is only growing.

Why? Energy efficient buildings give lower operating costs and stronger sustainability credentials, boosting company reputation.

But the biggest driver probably is the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which requires businesses to report on energy consumption in detail.

🔎 Read more about how you can help your tenants meet CSRD requirements. 

And that leads us to the most important point.

3. Access to financing and higher returns

It’s not just tenants who prefer sustainable buildings – the EU is actively pushing for a complete transition. 

The EU Taxonomy for sustainable activities clearly defines what qualifies as a sustainable investment and aims to make ’brown’ buildings less attractive for real estate investors. As a result, banks are becoming more reluctant to finance projects and investments that don’t comply with sustainability standards.

🔎 Read more about how reliable data can help you secure green loans.

Sustainable commercial buildings already deliver higher financial returns than traditional buildings, and the buildings that fail to meet the new requirements risk becoming stranded assets.

The Bottom Line?

Going green isn’t just about sustainability – it’s a financial strategy.

In a market that is rapidly shifting toward energy efficiency, investing in green buildings is not just the responsible choice – it’s the profitable one.

Reliable data gives you valuable insight for smarter investments and strengthens your negotiation position when facing your bank.