Dr. Anna Braune, Seema Issar, Raphael Montigel & others
CPEA
2021
The study titled "EU Taxonomy: Evaluating the Market-Readiness of the EU Taxonomy Criteria for Buildings" was published in 2021 through a collaborative effort among various Green Building Councils from Germany (DGNB), Spain (GBCe), Denmark (DK-GBC), and Austria (ÖGNI). The research involved 23 financial and real estate organizations and applied the EU Taxonomy criteria to 62 real building case studies across Europe. The authors of this comprehensive study include notable figures such as Dr. Anna Braune, Seema Issar, Raphael Montigel, and several others who are experts in their respective fields. 🌍 Context of the EU Taxonomy The EU Taxonomy serves as a classification system designed to guide sustainable investments by defining criteria for economic activities that substantially contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation. This study specifically investigates the market-readiness of these criteria within the construction and real estate sectors, a critical area given the significant impact of buildings on sustainability. 📊 Key Findings The study's findings reveal that newly constructed buildings are more eligible for the Taxonomy criteria compared to renovations and ownership activities. Certified projects demonstrate a higher likelihood of meeting these eligibility requirements than non-certified ones. However, a major challenge identified is the availability and reliability of data needed to demonstrate compliance with the Taxonomy criteria, with larger data gaps observed for the Do No Significant Harm (DNSH) criteria compared to those related to climate change mitigation. 💡 Recommendations To address these challenges, the study offers several recommendations, including the development of centralized repositories for building data to improve accessibility and reliability. It suggests enhancing the quality and reliability of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) across EU member states, encouraging strategic sustainability planning across building portfolios using certification systems like DGNB, and implementing Transitional Climate Action Roadmaps that align with the Paris Agreement targets for buildings under acquisition and ownership criteria. 🏅 Certification's Role The study emphasizes the role of certification systems such as DGNB in facilitating compliance with EU Taxonomy criteria by providing structured frameworks for sustainability assessment. Additionally, participants expressed concerns regarding the ambitious nature of the proposed changes in the draft Delegated Act by the European Commission, highlighting the need for a balanced approach to ensure market uptake. In conclusion, 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.
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.