### Energy and Environmental Certifications: Necessity or Trend?
In today’s real estate landscape, energy and environmental certifications are no longer merely optional; they have become essential elements to ensure the quality of properties. The underlying question revolves around priorities, where safety criteria, such as seismic and fire certifications, must take center stage for obvious reasons related to the protection of people and property.
An important aspect to analyze concerns the obligation of such certifications. Should we maintain a voluntary approach, waiting for the market to self-regulate, or is there a risk they could turn into a business for its own sake? And how can we integrate social variables into real estate investment evaluations? Highlighting the social impact of a real estate development requires a careful analysis of existing safety and infrastructure, from public transport networks to green areas, and even considering digital connectivity.
These topics were at the center of a recent meeting on September 17, organized by the Breakfasts of the Manifesto of Living in collaboration with ESGnews, titled “Real Estate and Environmental and Safety Certification Protocols, Ethical Necessity and Investment Opportunity.” The event featured industry experts, including Davide Luraschi, Vice President of the College of Engineers and Architects of Milan, and Massimiliano Pulice, Head of Urban Regeneration and Infrastructures at CDP, moderated by Alessandra Frangi, founder of ESGnews.
### The Real Estate Sector and Sustainable Transition
The construction sector is a key player in sustainable transformation processes, accounting for 37% of global energy-related CO2 emissions and 34% of global energy demand. In this regard, the European Union has launched the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), known as the “green homes” directive, with the ambitious goal of achieving a zero-emission real estate portfolio by 2050 and requiring new buildings to be zero-emission starting in 2030.
Notably, there has been an increase in certifications demanded by investors. The ESGmakers document from ESGnews has synthesized 18 different types of certifications that can positively influence the real estate market.
### The Crucial Role of Certifications
However, it is essential not to limit the assessment of certifications to individual buildings. The importance of certifications goes beyond the individual, playing a crucial role in urban regeneration projects. The regeneration of entire areas cannot disregard a constant and collaborative dialogue between public and private sectors, a necessity increasingly felt in Italy where the construction sector’s know-how is recognized internationally. Certifications, in this context, represent a first step in the construction of valuable properties.
The ability to measure the social impact of a real estate development, or “equityzing,” as experts might say, requires a long-term approach that takes into account the needs of future generations.
### Broken Windows Theory and Constant Maintenance
Luraschi brought attention to the broken windows theory, which highlights how neglecting a small deterioration can lead to broader decline, spreading even to surrounding areas. Conversely, a well-maintained property can generate a virtuous cycle for the urban environment it occupies. This underscores the importance of sustainability associated with regular and constant maintenance, with a particular focus on safety.
But what is needed to ensure stability and safety? The digitalization of the territory can be a valuable ally, not only for structures visible on the surface but also for what lies underground. Currently, there is no national database offering unified information on what exists below the ground, such as pipelines.
