SSF presents ESG guidelines for property investments
Together with the ZHAW School of Management and Law, Swiss Sustainable Finance (SSF) has developed specific guidelines for property investments that are in line with ESG criteria for sustainability. They are intended to contribute to the decarbonisation of the real estate sector.
SSF ‘s new publication provides guidance on how to integrate sustainability factors into direct property investments. According to a press release, the SSF Spotlight publication entitled Sustainable Real Estate Investments offers concrete instructions on how investment decisions can be harmonised with the ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) criteria for sustainable management. It is also intended to provide orientation in the diverse landscape of labels, benchmarking and monitoring tools. The publication was produced in collaboration with the ZHAW School of Management and Law at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences(ZHAW).
SSF points out that residential and commercial buildings are responsible for almost a quarter of Switzerland’s CO2 emissions. And it emphasises that incorporating sustainability into real estate brings numerous benefits: higher rental income, lower vacancy rates, improved operational efficiency of real estate investments and portfolios and attractive economic positioning.
“With Switzerland now legally committed to the net zero target, it is crucial for property investors to develop clear strategies to reduce the carbon footprint of their portfolio,” SSF CEO Sabine Döbeli is quoted as saying. In addition, the integration of ESG factors into risk analyses can reduce risks, increase resilience to environmental and market fluctuations and contribute to a more stable investment environment.