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Leveraging existing ESG legislation to drive sustainable investment and reduce the reporting burden in the European market

During this briefing, Sofia Cordeiro, ESG Analyst at INREV, gave insights into INREV’s paper on the impact of real estate on nature, highlighting the importance of nature-positive strategies and the growing role of frameworks like TNFD. Lucas Wouters, Portfolio Manager Responsible Investment at APG AM, shared an investor’s perspective, showing how biodiversity risks are assessed across real estate portfolios using the TNFD LEAP approach and tools like IBAT and STAR metrics, and Emily Hamilton, Chief Sustainability Officer Savills Investment Management, showed how nature-based solutions were embedded at Bourn Quarter, demonstrating the tangible benefits of enhancing biodiversity for real estate resilience and asset value.

Seasons by Amvest integrates informal care within a supportive community, promoting independence and reducing reliance on formal healthcare. By fostering social interaction and efficient care delivery, it enhances well-being while lowering costs. With high occupancy rates, cost savings of up to 30%, and strong resident satisfaction, Seasons redefines assisted living as a model of connection, dignity, and sustainability.

Revelop has partnered with Myrspoven to improve the energy efficiency of its properties.

Myrspoven’s AI platform, myCoreAI, was integrated to optimise energy use. It analyses data from the building and external sources, such as weather and social patterns, to create a unique algorithm tailored to each building’s specific conditions and usage.

abrdn's AIPUT faced challenges in meeting the UK’s Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements for its Heathrow developments. The solution involved creating a biodiversity bank on a 30-hectare greenfield site. This area, initially agricultural land, was converted into a habitat, generating BNG credits for use in the fund's developments. The project also contributed to carbon offsetting and community rewilding. Although market conditions led to a shift away from the BNG proposals, the model showed potential for future biodiversity and carbon credit initiatives within abrdn’s wider portfolio.

With the construction of a new shopping center on a plot covered by grassland, KLP Eiendom wished to reduce the project’s negative impact on local biodiversity. KLP Eiendom's Fornebu S shopping center in Oslo incorporates a green roof that recreates a rare local habitat, "dry calcareous grassland," enhancing biodiversity. The roof consists of 84 native plant species and beehives and  provides a vital “green corridor, helping to protect the local biotope after the conversion of significant natural land into a built environment. It mitigates physical climate risks by absorbing water during torrential rain, reducing stress on storm drains. The green roof helps keep the building cool during extreme heat. Furthermore, it enhances the visual appeal for residents in surrounding apartment buildings.

APG implemented a biodiversity risk assessment across its global real estate portfolio to address biodiversity loss. This analysis, using data from leading conservation organisations, highlighted areas of protected habitats, priority species, and critical conservation needs. Conducting the analysis for APG’s Amsterdam office serves as an illustrative example of how these type of assessments can be of value, even in urbanised areas. Despite its urban nature, the region around Amsterdam demonstrates significant biodiversity value and conservation potential.The insights from the analysis help APG develop targeted conservation strategies and integrate biodiversity considerations into investment decisions​.