Sustainability in the construction industry

Sustainability

Sustainability in buildings and the construction industry

That is a very high share and it means that extraordinary efforts are needed to make the building stock climate-neutral by 2050. The political will to do so is there. In its Green Deal, for example, the European Commission announced a significant increase in investments to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, since currently around 35% of buildings are older than 50 years and 75% are considered to be energy-inefficient. With a renovation initiative, the EU wants to invest an additional EUR 275 billion annually in this area up until 2030. These are enormous sums of money. They also underline the huge investment opportunities in various sectors, because, among others, industrial and IT companies active in fields such as thermal insulation, or electrical and digital building infrastructure will profit from this initiative. Along with reducing carbon emissions, this initiative should also help to create new jobs.

Outside of politics, we have a myriad of players in the construction and building industry, such as clients, architects, property developers, construction companies, scientists, and many other stakeholders. The decisions they make also have and will continue to have a great impact on whether we are able to significantly reduce carbon emissions from the construction sector and the building stock. There’s no need to constantly reinvent the wheel, and bonds issued by construction clients from the past can also support sustainability and a good climate. For instance, the building physics of thick walls in old brick buildings create a good interior climate and the deep window inset provides natural shading. In any case, everyone involved in construction and building needs to be planning and implementing measures that improve sustainability. Read our expert discussion on sustainability in planning and construction.

The financial industry is also part of this great undertaking. It must support the industry in this process of change, promote the circular economy, and temporarily withhold capital from companies that have not yet recognised the need for a new paradigm. It is also vital to maintain and initiate dialogue with companies, working cooperatively together to reduce the industry’s ecological footprint. (See our engagement articles Corporate voices and Companies in the focus of sustainability) Sustainable investment 2.0 means investing responsibly in the future and moving forward together on the path of transforming the built environment.

Dieter Aigner
Managing Director of Raiffeisen KAG, responsible for fund management and sustainability

Raiffeisen KAG's climate strategy

Raiffeisen KAG recognises its responsibility to make an appropriate contribution to combating the climate crisis and, as a financial market participant, to actively support the necessary transformation. The most important goals for this path are formulated in the climate strategy.

Construction waste

Nachhaltigkeit beim Planen und Bauen | Round-Table

Expertendiskussion zu nachhaltigem Planen und Bauen
UFO Paris

Best practice: sustainable property revitalisation

Sustainable revitalisation
Corporate voices on the topic of construction materials

Corporate voices on the topic of construction materials

Corporate Voices
Building with wood

Company in the focus of sustainability: Stora Enso

More about "Building with wood"
Bauwirtschaft und Nachhaltigkeitszertifikate für Immobilien

Property certifications

The most common sustainability certifications for properties

Invest sustainably

You can achieve more with your investment - namely a contribution to greater sustainability. Find out here about the range of funds with a focus on sustainability.

Sustainable investing on the topic of "Sustainability in the construction industry"

Issue "New horizons in the counstuction industry"

In this issue, Raiffeisen Capital Management sheds light on the topic of sustainability in the construction industry.

You can also find more detailed information and many videos at investment-zukunft!