How you can take advantage of the many benefits of climate-proof real estate

31.07.25 06:02 PM - By Florian

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Learn more about the many benefits of climate-proof real estate and how you can manage and optimize it across the entire value chain in terms of cost/benefit

Climate-proof real estate are the future of the real estate industry

Since climate change poses a significant threat to people and buildings, it is essential for real estate developers and investors to prioritize properties that can withstand extreme weather events and other climate risks. Investing in climate-proof real estate not only defies climate change but also brings environmental and financial benefits. Furthermore, meeting the EU Taxonomy criteria leads to green financing options and cost savings for developers and investors.

Climate and environmental protection

Reducing the ecological footprint and strengthening climate resilience

Cost savings

through energy-efficient measures and effective greening

Property value increase

for green and climate-proof real estate with low fluctuation

What does climate-proof mean?

Make your properties climate-proof – as safe as Fort Knox. The term climate-proofing originates from the European Commission and considers climate mitigation and climate change adaptation in combination. As part of the Green Deal, the European Commission defined the EU Taxonomy with six environmentel objectives – including climate mitibation (No. 1) and adaptation to climate change (No. 2).

see. EU Commission, 2021 | Olcina Sala, 2024 | EU Taxonomy Navigator, 2024

To ensure holistic climate proofing, the EU has established technical guidelines with principles and practices to be considered in the planning, development, and monitoring of projects. Documenting and verifying climate proofing measures is considered an essential part of justifying investment decisions.

Further information on the various terms related to climate can be found in the CLIMATE WIKI and in the following blog post.

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Why are climate-proof real estate so important?

First, climate-proof properties contribute to climate and environmental protection. By integrating sustainable and climate-resilient buildings with energy-efficient systems and various types of green infrastructure, such as trees or green roofs, we can reduce our ecological footprint and mitigate the effects of climate change. This is especially important in urban areas, where buildings are responsible for a large portion of greenhouse gas emissions and impacts on quality of life, such as urban heat.

Secondly, climate-resilient properties can also lead to cost savings for property owners. By implementing energy-efficient features and green roofing measures, buildings can reduce their energy consumption and utility costs. Furthermore, climate mitigation and climate change adaptation can also extend the lifespan of a property, reduce maintenance and repair costs in the long term, and ensure a high level of well-being and quality of life for residents and tenants.

Furthermore, climate-proof properties can reduce or prevent depreciation and loss of value, and further increase the value of a property. As more and more buyers and tenants become environmentally conscious, properties with sustainable and climate-resilient features are increasingly in demand. This can lead to higher rental and resale prices, making them a smart and future-proof investment for developers and investors.

Save money directly with climate-proof real estate

To qualify for green financing conditions, real estate projects must meet the criteria of the EU Taxonomy. These include climate mitigation and adaptation, as well as four other environmental objectives related to water, the circular economy, pollution, and biodiversity.

Real estate that meet these criteria can be classified as green buildings and are therefore eligible for green financing options such as green bonds and green loans.

The EU Taxonomy is a classification system that identifies economic activities considered environmentally sustainable. It is intended to guide investors and companies toward sustainable investments and contribute to achieving the EU's goal of climate neutrality by 2050. The EU Taxonomy includes criteria for six environmental objectives, including climate mitigation and adaptation to climate change.

Green financing offers lower interest rates, equity ratios, or longer repayment periods compared to traditional financing options. This leads to significant cost savings for developers and investors. For example, a green loan from the European Investment Bank offers a lower interest rate of 0.5% compared to a conventional loan with an interest rate of 1.5%. This 1% difference can result in significant savings over the term of the loan.

In addition, climate-proof properties can save money in the long term through lower operating costs. By implementing energy-efficient measures such as photovoltaic systems and green roofs, buildings can significantly reduce their energy consumption and utility costs. These savings add up over time and contribute to the overall profitability of the project.

Further information on green finance, including a green finance calculator, can be found in the following blog article.

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Ecosystem services for greater resilience

In addition to the financial benefits, climate-proof buildings also have a positive impact on the environment, society, and residents. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions, these buildings contribute to transformation and a more sustainable future. Furthermore, they offer residents a green, safe, and resilient living and working environment, protecting them from the ever-increasing impacts of climate change.

Nature-based solutions and green/blue infrastructure, in particular, enable effective and efficient adaptation to climate change with their ecosystem services. Consequently, anything that cannot be measured cannot be optimized. Therefore, quantifying impact performance is essential for developing and ensuring resilient and climate-proof buildings.

The best tool for designing and managing climate-proof real estate

The greenpass Climate Check app is an important tool for managing and designing climate-proof real estate. This innovative software enables users to assess the physical climate risks of their properties for today and the future and offers solutions for optimizing climate mitigation and adaptation measures, making buildings and open space more resilient to climate change.

The app uses advanced and state-of-the-art technology to assess a property's physical climate risks according to the requirements of the EU Taxonomy, taking into account factors such as location, building and energy information, and various types of greening.

Based on artificial intelligence (AI), the property's overall climate proofing – i.e., climate mitigation and climate change adaptation, including climate risks and climate resilience, as well as their sub-areas – is assessed within seconds. This allows users to identify potential strengths and weaknesses and, based on tailored guidance, proactively implement effective and recommended measures to mitigate and strengthen resilience – from the individual property level to entire portfolios.

The app, available for free trial, also provides a customized catalog of grey and green measures, ranked by their impact on risk reduction, climate mitigation and adaptation performance, costs, and feasibility, such as building insulation, window replacement, or a wide variety of greening measures, among others. These solutions not only contribute to climate and environmental protection, but also save costs and consequently increase the value of the property.

Furthermore, the greenpass Climate Check app allows users to compare and monitor the climate proofing performance of properties using various scenarios. This ensures that the property remains resilient to changing climate conditions and that adjustments can be made as needed.

Based on the Climate Check, users can also conduct an extended EU Taxo Check for all six environmental objectives of the EU Taxonomy. Depending on the economic activity, a questionnaire is pre-filled to determine its significant contribution. Climate risks identified as dangerous are addressed and declared with targeted measures and their impact. The further criteria for no significant impact on the other environmental objectives are then checked and, if passed, a certificate of conformity and the greenpass are issued or can be downloaded and printed as a PDF.

Conclusion

In summary, climate-proof properties that meet the criteria and conformity of the EU Taxonomy not only benefit the environment and society, but also offer significant financial advantages for developers, investors, owners, and tenants.

Ultimately, it shouldn't be about meeting criteria or being compliant, but about being safe. Climate-proof properties can directly save money and are therefore a smart and responsible investment decision. Climate-proof properties are the path to the future of the real estate industry, not only because sustainability and environmental protection are becoming increasingly important in our society, but also because climate-proof properties are future-proof and investment-proof properties.

Scientifically developed and robust market solutions, such as the greenpass Climate Check, are available and ready. Furthermore, with minimal data requirements, they are simple, quick, and cost-effective to implement and enable holistic climate proofing and management of real estate across the entire value chain – in new and existing buildings, both independently and with the support of experts. No more excuses, just get started and get going – climate proofing has never been easier!

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Florian

Co-Founder & CEO greenpass

https://www.linkedin.com/in/florian-kraus/

Ich bin internationaler Experte mit jahrelanger Erfahrung in der Bewertung und Gestaltung von klimasicheren und nachhaltigen Immobilien und Freiräumen. Nach meinem Masterstudium für Landschaftsplanung & -architektur war ich an der BOKU als Forscher und der Green4Cities als Manager tätig.