ESG in the real estate sector
Real estate is responsible for around 40% of global energy consumption and 30% of the annual CO2 emissions.
In accordance with the Paris Agreement and the Swiss Energy Strategy 2050, the reduction of CO2 emissions in the real estate sector is a central topic at Patrimonium. The target is net zero CO2 emissions from the Patrimonium real estate portfolio by the year 2050 (climate neutrality).
The goal of climate neutrality relates to the quality of the buildings and districts, the materials and building methods, the building processes and supply chains as well as the location of the properties and their connections to public transport..
Patrimonium’s strategies in the real estate sector are targeted towards the acquisition and construction of buildings in existing and well-connected agglomerations as well as the renovation and extension of existing real estate and building densification in such agglomerations.
As well as ecological aspects – first and foremost the improvement in the energy balance sheet associated with CO2 emissions as well as the protection of biodiversity and nature – specific social criteria are also important to us in the real estate sector. In particular, these are the health and comfort of the tenants (90% of the real estate owned by Patrimonium is in the form of residential properties) and compliance with regulations in favour of the building workers.
Climate neutrality plan
In the real estate asset class, Patrimonium has agreed an investment plan that provides for the climate neutrality of the total real estate portfolio by 2050, which will be achieved together with the necessary social developments. By 2030, the CO2 emissions of the properties are already set to be reduced by 50% thanks to the planned technical, renovation and restoration measures. In the case of new developments and building projects the highest standards are already being used (e.g. 2000-Watt Site).
Monitoring and transparency via Signa Terre and Swiss Sustainable Real Estate Index (SSREI)
On the way to achieving these ambitious goals, Patrimonium is monitored by external institutions, among other things as part of the partnership with the organisation Signa Terre, which monitors the CO2 load and energy consumption of the buildings.
With its participation in the Swiss Sustainable Real Estate Index, Patrimonium is contributing to the promotion of transparency and comparability within the Swiss real estate market, in order to promote sustainable investments throughout the sector.
Indirect investments and co-investments
In the case of indirect investments and co-investments, Patrimonium’s screening and ESG integration processes include both the general partner and – indirectly and sometimes directly – the portfolio or investment managed by the general partner (multi-level approach/aggregated fund rating).