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FOREWORD BY THE EUROPEAN CHAPTER PRESIDENT, ANDREW SMITH SIOR FRICS.

As COP27 has drawn to a close, SIOR Europe is keen to join the conversation about the focus that the summit brings on climate change impact to share commentary and advice from our members, all of whom support greater action in the race to net zero.


Our members have put climate change impact at the heart of their consultancy in response to the market and clients’ increasing ESG requirements and have embedded it into every stage of the property process.


At Tuesday 23rd November’s SIOR Europe webinar on climate change and sustainability, we welcomed a group of specialist participants representing a broad spectrum of disciplines within the real estate sector from across Europe.

 

What followed was an illuminating discussion – asking key questions on what needs to happen next for the built environment to deliver on the goals made at COP26, with our panellists sharing their unique perspectives, experiences and solutions to shape a way forward.

Introduced and hosted by Renata Osiecka, Managing Partner at AXI Immo Group, andexpertly moderated by Greg Borel, Founder & Director of Ampersand Partners and organiser of CUBE in the UK, we were joined by Laura Kelly – Director at PwC, Ann Marie Aguilar – SVP EMEA at International WELL Building Institute, Fabian Mühlen – Partner at DLA Piper, who spoke to us from Frankfurt, and Jennifer Taranto – Director of Sustainability at STO Building Group.

 

The workshop kicked off with the vital question. Given that one of the major takeaways from the recent COP26 climate summit was the need for immediate action rather than talking about commitments to sustainability, the webinar started with what needs to happen now? How do we translate the grand plans made at COP26 into tangible impact in the short-term?

 

 

Panellists shared interesting insights on industry trends they are seeing:

 

 

The session closed with the question of where is collaboration needed most? Answers ranged from co-operating with third party ESG frameworks and environmental ratings bodies, more R&D into electrification and other energy efficiencies in construction, setting mutual climate objectives with tenants, transparency with the market and peers, and leading by example with responsible procurement and client intake (i.e. working with those who demonstrate their commitment to climate and ESG factors).

 

The overarching conclusion? We all need to think beyond our own organisations, as the only way to deliver on the promise of COP26 is through collective endeavour.

 

You can see the full webinar here – 60 minute watch

SIOR Europe Workshop Climate Change & Sustainability, 23 Nov 2021. – YouTube

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