Swiss Sustainable Finance offers property investors a guideline

Zürich, January 2024

Zürich - Der Verband Swiss Sustainable Finance führt mit einer neuen Publikation in die Thematik der nachhaltigen Immobilieninvestments ein. Neben verschiedenen Orientierungshilfen bietet er auch eine mögliche Vorgehensweise für die Integration nachhaltiger Faktoren in Immobilienportfoli­os an.

In its SSF Spotlight section,Swiss Sustainable Finance has published a guide for companies, banks, funds and private individuals who invest directly in sustainable real estate in Switzerland. Against the backdrop of the major contribution that the building sector must make to achieving the Swiss net-zero target by 2050, it offers guidance and recommendations for action.

For example, it explains the most important frameworks for sustainability assessment and reporting, ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and provides specific examples for the property sector. The publication also provides an introduction to the current and planned regulatory framework in Switzerland and the EU. It also provides an overview of national and international certifications, quality seals, benchmarking and monitoring instruments that measure the sustainability profile of property with regard to ESG factors, for example.

According to the association, the benefits of a sustainable investment strategy could outweigh the costs involved “and ultimately have a positive impact on society, the environment and the valuation of the property portfolio”. A four-step approach is recommended for investors seeking guidance on implementing a sustainability strategy.

This begins with strategy development and a portfolio assessment. In a second step, an action plan is formulated with specific improvement measures for the property portfolio. This is followed by continuous evaluation based on the predefined targets. Finally, transparency should be created by regularly communicating performance indicators and progress to stakeholders.

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