Dr. Anna Braune, Seema Issar, Raphael Montigel & others
Cpea
2021
🌍 Context The study titled "EU Taxonomy: Evaluating the Market-Readiness of the EU Taxonomy Criteria for Buildings" was published in 2021 through a collaboration of Green Building Councils from Germany (DGNB), Spain (GBCe), Denmark (DK-GBC), and Austria (ÖGNI). It engaged 23 financial and real estate organizations to assess the applicability of EU Taxonomy criteria across 62 real building case studies in Europe. The authors of this comprehensive study include notable figures such as Dr. Anna Braune, Seema Issar, and Dr. Christine Lemaitre, among others. 🏗️ Key Findings The study reveals critical insights regarding market-readiness concerning the EU Taxonomy criteria in the construction and real estate sectors. It finds that newly constructed buildings are significantly more eligible for Taxonomy criteria than building renovations or ownership activities. Additionally, certified projects exhibit a higher likelihood of meeting the eligibility requirements compared to non-certified counterparts. 📊 Data Challenges One of the primary challenges highlighted is the availability and reliability of data necessary to demonstrate compliance with the Taxonomy criteria. Notably, data gaps are more pronounced for the Do No Significant Harm (DNSH) criteria than for those related to climate change mitigation, posing a barrier to achieving full compliance. 💡 Recommendations The study provides several recommendations aimed at enhancing market readiness and compliance with the EU Taxonomy. Key suggestions include the development of centralized repositories for building data to improve accessibility and reliability, as well as enhancing the quality of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) across EU member states. Furthermore, it encourages strategic planning for sustainability through portfolio management utilizing certification systems like DGNB and the implementation of Transitional Climate Action Roadmaps aligned with Paris Agreement targets for buildings under acquisition and ownership criteria. 🔍 Certification's Role The study emphasizes the role of certification systems, particularly DGNB, in facilitating compliance with EU Taxonomy criteria. These structured frameworks are instrumental in sustainability assessments, aiding stakeholders in navigating the complex landscape of sustainable housing. ⚖️ Feedback on Draft Delegated Act Participants in the study have expressed concerns regarding the ambitious nature of proposed changes in the draft Delegated Act by the European Commission. They advocate for a balanced approach to ensure that the uptake of these criteria is practical and achievable within the market. In summary, this study underscores the necessity for robust data management practices and certification processes to bolster compliance with sustainability criteria in financial transactions related to buildings, crucial for advancing sustainable housing across Europe.
The study titled "EU Taxonomy: Evaluating the Market-Readiness of the EU Taxonomy Criteria for Buildings" was published in 2021 by a collaboration of Green Building Councils from Germany (DGNB), Spain (GBCe), Denmark (DK-GBC), and Austria (ÖGNI). The study involved 23 financial and real estate organizations and applied the EU Taxonomy criteria to 62 real building case studies across Europe. The authors include Dr. Anna Braune, Seema Issar, Raphael Montigel, Dr. Christine Lemaitre, Julia Manzano, Emilio Miguel Mitre, Bruno Sauer, Dr. Thomas Fænø Mondrup, Dr. Peter Andreas Sattrup, Mette Qvist, Wolfgang Lukaschek, Katharina Saxa, Peter Engert, and Ursula Hartenberger.
Context
The EU Taxonomy is a classification system established to guide sustainable investment by defining criteria for economic activities that significantly contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation. This study specifically examines the market-readiness of these criteria within the construction and real estate sectors.
Key Findings
- Market-Readiness: The study found that newly constructed buildings had the highest eligibility for the Taxonomy criteria compared to building renovations and acquisition and ownership activities. Certified projects were more likely to meet eligibility requirements than non-certified ones.
- Data Challenges: A significant challenge identified was the availability and reliability of data necessary to prove compliance with the Taxonomy criteria. Data gaps were notably larger for the Do No Significant Harm (DNSH) criteria compared to climate change mitigation.
- Recommendations:
- Digital Building Data: Develop centralized repositories for building data to improve accessibility and reliability.
- Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs): Enhance the quality and reliability of EPCs across EU member states.
- Portfolio Management: Encourage strategic planning for sustainability across building portfolios using certification systems like DGNB.
- Transitional Climate Action Roadmaps: Implement roadmaps aligned with Paris Agreement targets for buildings under acquisition and ownership criteria.
- Certification's Role: The study highlighted that certification systems such as DGNB could facilitate compliance with EU Taxonomy criteria by providing structured frameworks for sustainability assessment.
- Feedback on Draft Delegated Act: The study participants expressed concerns over the ambitious nature of proposed changes in the draft Delegated Act by the European Commission, suggesting a need for a balanced approach to ensure market uptake.
The study underscores the importance of integrating robust data management practices and certification processes to enhance compliance with sustainability criteria in financial transactions related to buildings.