The Marathon to Climate-Neutral Buildings & How Digitalization Can Accelerate


28.07.2021 by Carsten Kreutze

Real estate owners and operators are currently operating in a major area of tension. According to the carbon footprint, the 2020 sector targets for buildings have been missed. Now the new CO2 targets set by the EU and Germany are increasing the time pressure even more. Climate neutrality is to be achieved as early as 2045, 5 years earlier than originally planned. Why? A climate-neutral Germany in 2045 will save the atmosphere almost one billion tons of CO2.* It's an impressive target that is much more in line with the Paris CO2 reduction path.

In addition, the influence of ESG issues on global financial markets is intensifying in 2021. There is an overlap between government stimulus programs, climate policy measures, and expanded disclosure requirements in financial markets.** Thus, the demand for sustainable and green real estate is accelerating.

The German government has recently provided further impetus by launching an 8 billion emergency climate protection program, with a strong focus on energy-efficient buildings.***

Great Goals by Themselves Do Not Yet Move the World

CO2 emissions are to be reduced by 65% by 2030: there is not much time left until then. And big goals by themselves will not yet move the world. Now it's a question of how and with what measures this can be achieved in practice. After all, buildings still account for 30 % of total energy consumption. There is a great deal of leverage here: by 2030, commercial properties will be making a major contribution to climate protection.

How Can We Unlock the Green Potential That Lies Dormant in Every Property?

Of course, the expansion of renewable energies, comprehensive renovations and the increased use of heat pumps are needed. But this is not enough to meet the massive challenge. The CO2-saving property of the future can only work if the possibilities of digitalization are also fully exploited. Because speed and innovation count in the race against time. With highly developed digital technologies, CO2 emissions in buildings can be reduced quickly and efficiently, e.g. AI-supported solutions for efficient, demand-based control of air-conditioning systems. This means that up to 30% less energy is consumed in the area of air-conditioning systems in existing buildings.

The CO₂-saving property of the future can only work if the opportunities offered by digitalization are fully exploited.



Carsten Kreutze | Managing Director Recogizer

Digitalization = Innovation Driver for Climate Protection

We should act quickly and decisively now and focus on green innovations to permanently put the CO2 giants on a decarbonization path. If we don't take full advantage of the latest digital developments, it's like trying to walk the whole long way to decarbonization instead of just taking the bike. The collective commitment to a greener planet is now gaining momentum, and acceleration through digitalization is essential.

Here's why: mature solutions should be deployed now on a large scale to maximize climate impact. These are becoming an increasingly important innovative building block for corporate sustainability and ESG strategies, completing the bundle of measures.

Act now:

Participate in the climate protection program "100 green buildings" & reduce the CO2 emissions of your buildings!

Go to the "100 Green Buildings" climate protection program

Sources:
* Agora Energiewende https://www.agora-energiewende.de/veroeffentlichungen/klimaneutrales-deutschland-2045/

** Moody's Investors Service: https://lnkd.in/gmJJqr3
*** Tagesschau: https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/klimaschutz-sofortpogramm-kabinett-101.html

Carsten Kreutze is CEO of Recogizer. He has extensive experience in establishing companies, product development and strategic marketing. He sees enormous potential for energy saving in utilizing artificial intelligence and a cost-efficient contribution to the sustainability of real estate and climate protection.

Carsten Kreutze | Managing Director

Autor Carsten Kreutze von Recogizer

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