Through their construction and use, buildings represent 36% of the world’s energy consumption.
The real estate sector is responsible for more than 40% of the carbon dioxide emissions related to energy.
Its ecological footprint is even greater if you consider the quantity of water and raw materials consumed by players in this sector.
In order to limit the rise in world temperatures to less than 2°C by 2030, the real estate sector must reduce the average energy intensity of buildings by at least 30%, according to the United Nations
ESG criteria are not limited to the effect of greenhouse gases per square metre. From the operator’s governance, the management of the various stakeholders, to social criteria, it is important to address all aspects of a real estate investment’s social responsibility.
In 2021, we financed the construction of some new retirement homes which illustrate what an ESG building could be: buildings with a negative carbon impact, thanks to the use of the most recent construction techniques (chilled ventilation thanks to geothermal energy, without air-conditioning, a schedule for the dismantling and recycling of the building’s frame at the end of the building’s life, an environmental impact study, the use of solar panels, solar water heating, recirculation of the building’s heat and insulation using bio-sourced components).
The buildings have been designed with the management of epidemics in mind, with the possibility for the retirement home to function as small units independent one from the other, over-pressurised bedrooms and an under-pressurised corridor and outdoor spaces for each resident.
The building itself has been designed to settle into its district, and impact studies on the community have been carried out in order to be sure that its neighbours were in agreement with the construction of a healthcare building in their district. The operator offers training and career plans to employees in order to guarantee the best care for the residents and to guarantee the best skills for the employees.