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360 ° Technical Due Diligence Future-proofing investments

The future of the Real Estate market cannot be precisely predicted but what we do know is that the next generation buildings and assets will look different to those we see today. The Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated like never before that we need to brace ourselves for new realities. The enormous ecological footprint of our buildings has attracted an additional price-tag due to new European financial regulations. Global trends in digitization, e-mobility, healthy indoor environments along with new design factors are calling for new developments, adding pressure on existing assets which cannot cope with this transition and may end up as future "Stranded Assets". How can you foresee that your real estate investments will withstand the test of time and respond to ever-changing digital and environmental dynamics?

Source: UNEP, Statistisches Bundesamt | Defra and Government, Statistical Service (2019)

We have reached the tipping point...

Governmental regulations such as the UK's commitment to Net Zero Carbon targets by 2050, the European Union's Green Deal and EU Taxonomy framework​ or the Netherlands gradually moving towards a 100 % Circular Economy, have a bearing on the built environment.

Questions you grapple with before making an investment!

  • Is the building “sustainable” according the new EU taxonomy framework?
  • Is the building really "smart"?
  • How many electric vehicle (EV) charging poles can be installed?
  • Can the Green Building Certification be upgraded?
  • What is the whole life carbon footprint of the building?
  • When will the building become a stranded asset because it does not fulfill the carbon emission requirement from the Paris climate agreement?

Technical Due Diligence Future-proof Check

Having a future-proof and resilient asset is on the agenda of a conscious risk manager during real-estate transactions. We support our clients in making the right decisions today for a sustainable tomorrow. This requires extending the Due Diligence perspective beyond "building fabric" to a 360 ° analysis. Our experts draw upon the wealth of technical and real estate knowledge to assess complex projects and portfolios. Within our interdisciplinary team, we have honed expertise to work on emerging real estate future trends in Smart Buildings, Electric Mobility, Circular Economy, Zero Carbon/ Carbon Risk Real Estate Monitor (CRREM), ESG, and EU Taxonomy. We have launched new modules to help you make the highest return on your investment.

We embrace a holistic and sustainable approach to future-proof our projects. All the services provided by us take into consideration both economic and ecological concerns. We call this #theblueway.

MODULE 1: Zero Carbon/CRREM

The World Green Building Council is supporting market transformation towards 100% net zero carbon buildings by 2050. The market has started to move towards greater carbon cuts with countries such as the UK setting Zero Carbon targets followed by investors pledging carbon neutrality. Zero Carbon strategies need to be applied to the existing building portfolio and must become a key target for new developments. Very often, only the obvious operational carbon is measured which covers only one side since 40 – 50% of carbon emissions are embodied in the materials used for building construction.

The new European Green Deal and EU Taxonomy are focusing on whole-life carbon emissions which consider both: operational and embodied carbon over the lifecycle of a building. The carbon footprint of an asset can become a real burden in the future, hence an assessment during initial transactions is becoming more and more important.

The Carbon Risk Real Estate Monitoring (CRREM) aims to compare and visualize the energy and carbon intensity of non-residential buildings with carbon reduction pathways aligned with the European 2050 climate objectives.​ The CRREM method allows to estimate the point when the building's carbon performance is higher than the sector decarbonization target. This point is a potential stranding point for the asset and indicated when cost intensive retrofits are necessary.

Graphic source: Carbon Risk Real Estate Monitor (CRREM) Consortium

Our Approach

  • Carbon risk assessment based on the CRREM methodology
  • Initial Definition of a roadmap towards Zero Carbon
  • Comparison of existing asset performance with benchmark values
  • For projects in the design phase, estimation of embodied carbon
  • Proposal of potential carbon reduction options
  • Proposal of carbon offset options (buying certificates, invest in renewables, etc.)

Your Added Value

  • Information about future stranding point and risk
  • Initial capital expenditure for Zero Carbon targets​
  • Benchmark to compare with the rest of the market
  • Asset evaluation to check suitability with the company's corporate strategy

Image: City Hall Freiburg, Europe's first net plus building taking construction beyond Zero Carbon

MODULE 2: EU Taxonomy

The European Taxonomy is a classification system to define economically sustainable activities aligned with the European climate targets. As one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases, the construction, and real estate sector plays a significant part in the transition towards a green, low-carbon economy, and the industry was included in the taxonomy in 2020.

Climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies as well as “do no significant harm” requirements are defined. Compliance with these criteria are part of a detailed assessment of the building and is important to evaluate the financially sustainable viability of an asset.

Our Approach

  • Assessment of the available information and data
  • Compliance check with sustainability criteria of the EU taxonomy framework for new buildings, renovations, and existing buildings.
  • Proposal of potential improvement measures

Your Added Value

  • Confirmation to be compliant with the European Taxonomy
  • Costs associated with improvement measures to achieve an asset which is sustainable according the latest EU taxonomy framework.

Image: Green facade from Drees & Sommer's new headquarters building in Stuttgart

MODULE 3: ESG Check

Environmental, Social and Governance Check (ESG) refers to the three central factors in measuring the sustainability and social impact of an investment in a company or business. Most investors have corporate ESG strategies in place which should be applied to the core business and the asset portfolio. This means that during an asset transaction ESG criteria can be used to check whether the investment fits the corporate ESG approach. In this context sustainability approaches following Green Building Certification Schemes, e. g. BREEAM, LEED, DGNB, WELL, HQE can also be identified through pre-assessments to find out whether a building can receive the right certifications or which upgrades and costs would be necessary.

Our Approach

  • Initial ESG requirements checks, either provided by clients or based on our proposal
  • Strategy workshop on ESG, EU Taxonomy and sustainable finance to define an individual framework​
  • Assessment of the existing property or design based on ESG requirements and the framework

Your Added Value

  • Independent evaluation regarding ESG requirements
  • Information whether the asset is sustainable finance ready
  • Pre-Assessment of Green Building Certifications
  • Roadmap with necessary upgrades and cost to achieve the desired level

MODULE 4: Long-term & Circular Investment through C2C

The construction industry consumes around 40 – 50% of raw materials and at the same time is responsible for 60% of the total waste production. Not only does it have an ecological impact but also additional cost implications. The circular economy is the key solution to mitigating this as it turns buildings into material banks. This means that an investment in Cradle to Cradle® (C2C) asset is an additional investment in raw materials which over the past decades have seen a constant increase.

Our C2C buildings are designed according to the Circular Economy principles and can be disassembled at the end of the lifetime and the materials can be sold or reused – it will have a residual value that equals the raw-material value of the building. The asset will maintain this value which further helps to decouple financial risks from the “market value” of the asset. This residual material value can reach up to 30 % of the total investment and starts to be recognised by funding partners at the initial investments. Most existing buildings contain resources that can be harvested by Urban Mining approaches, saving costs on demolition, and delivering materials for new construction. For renovation projects, this can be a game-changer!

Our Approach​

  • Assessment of material reuse and recycling potential of each component​
  • Calculation of the amount (by weight) of reusable and recyclable materials and resulting waste reduction for each component
  • Estimation of the value and cost-saving potential through reuse and recycling
  • Overview of subsidies, tax benefits and compliance with sustainable finance​
  • Assess the contribution of Circular Economy measures to Green Building Certification Systems (e.g. for BREEAM)

Your Added Value

  • Heads up on future reselling prospects​
  • Improved Green Building Certification (BREEAM)
  • Risk Assessment regarding Materials (Pollutants and Recyclability)

Image: World Trade Center I & II Brussels where Drees & Sommer and EPEA are providing support for the deconstruction and processing of the old building materials and their value-adding re-use in other construction projects.

MODULE 5: Digital Ready Check

Is Your Building Really 'Smart'?

While smart buildings are a current buzz in the real estate sector, the topic exposes investors to potential risks. Vendors may often claim that an asset is a Smart Building. Investors may find themselves grappling with questions: Is it really smart or just an ordinary building? ​If the building is not smart building ready, will it affect the future marketability? How much will it cost to make the building smart? Is the Smart Building concept watertight in terms of Cyber Security and Data Protection or will it make users susceptible?

​Our Approach

  • Benchmark and furnish information about the level of 'smartness'
  • Initial cost information
  • Digital Ready Check ensures whether central infrastructure allows the conversion into a smart building
  • Assessment on digitisation levels
  • Cost estimation of potential upgrades
  • Customised questionnaire answered by the operator/owner with information from the TDD site-visit​​
  • Comparative analysis of an existing building with requirements of a smart one
  • Recommendation on essential measures with capital expenditure estimation​

Your Added Value

  • Value for money​
  • Insight into the future cost of upgrades​
  • Risk Assessment of Smart Building related issues like Cyber Security, Data Protection
  • Mitigation of these risks

Image: cube berlin, one of Europe's smartest buildings. Photo: Adam Mørk

MODULE 6: Electric Mobility

Electric mobility is a must-have technology for developing a clean and efficient transport system. With rapid urbanisation, electric mobility provides a high level of agility and cleaner emission trail. Though in its nascent stage, e-mobility has been identified as the future mode of transport and as a building block of sustainable mobility. Therefore, the digital infrastructures of tomorrow need to be prepared to provide for these battery operated transport systems. At Drees & Sommer UK we not only support our clients in identifying such modernisation requirements but also turn new opportunities based on trends into solid asset value.​

Our Approach

  • Assessment of available capacities and charging infrastructures on site​​
  • Off-site capacities evaluation with public utility provider
  • Charging facilities calculation within existing plant​
  • Analysis of extension possibilities of existing plant​
  • Evaluation of smart charging management solutions
  • Analysis of extension possibilities with additional transformers Cost evaluation of upgrade measures

Your Added Value

  • Capital expenditure for E-Mobility
  • Starting point of an EV charging concept

Drees & Sommer is Climate Positive

As the European leader in Consulting, Planning and Project Management, we work with corporations, funds, public institutions and private investors to maximise the value of our clients’ real estate and the efficiency of their projects. We are committed to climate protection, sustainable projects and business practices. In 2020, we celebrated our 50th anniversary by becoming Climate Positive. The real estate sector alone is responsible for around 40 percent of CO2 emissions. We have a social responsibility to provide affordable housing, liveable cities, functional infrastructure and visionary mobility concepts. We drive sustainability, along with digital transformation to enable important innovations. Our long-term goal is to be a beneficial company, which means in addition to its success as a business, also benefits the environment and society.

Our TDD References

Clockwise: 22 Bishopsgate, London, © Drees & Sommer I Tower 185, Frankfurt, © Marco Kröner I Infinity Working, Luxembourg, © Immobel I Allianz Tower, Rotterdam I London 55 Ludgate, © Matt Lively I ServiceNow, Surrey

Your Contact

Marco Abdallah, + 44-20 38580221, marco.abdallah @ dreso.com