Covivio Real estate insights Experts views “We are all aware of the importance of the construction and property sector in the context of climate change.” 

“We are all aware of the importance of the construction and property sector in the context of climate change.” 

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  • Richard Teichmann

    Vice-President, World Green Building Council (WGBC) European Network.

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The World Green Building Council (WGBC) is made up of a network of Green Building Councils (GBCs) and partners. Together, these players support real estate and construction markets around the world in developing sustainable and resilient buildings and cities. In France, this network is represented by the HQE-GBC Alliance, which was formed several years ago from the merger of the HQE association and France GBC. Interview with Richard Teichmann, Vice-President of the WGBC European Network.

Can you put the work of the Green Building Council (more specifically its European activities) into context? 

Green Building Councils were created in the 1990s and 2000s to promote sustainable construction. As non-profit organisations, they bring together experts from the fields of architecture, construction, industry and public authorities. In some countries, they develop or contribute to the development of standards and certification systems, and seek to promote effective policy changes in the market. 

The World Green Building Council (WGBC) was founded in Toronto in 2002 to network these national initiatives on a global scale. Initial contacts between Canada, the United States and Australia led to the creation of a global NGO comprising 80 GBCs. With its programmes on climate neutrality, health, the circular economy and social justice, the WorldGBC is a global platform for exchange and strategy sharing. Five regions of the world (Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe and MENA) are represented at the headquarters in London.  

I have been vice-president of the European Regional Network (ERN) of the WGBC on a voluntary basis for two years, and I can proudly say that Europe has the largest number of GBCs and members. We are global leaders in many areas (e.g. building materials and taxonomy). 

When did the need to “organise harmonisation” become apparent?  

Human-induced climate change is a global problem that we must all, without exception, including the United Nations General Assembly, tackle.  

As a commercial property developer, I co-founded the ÖGNI (Austrian Sustainable Building Council) in Vienna more than 15 years ago. At the same time, we used geothermal energy and heat pumps (French, by the way) in our project in eastern Slovakia as early as 2009, proving that economics and ecology are not necessarily contradictory. Unfortunately, the construction sector is not necessarily innovation-oriented; it is by definition regional and often highly regulated. That is why I have supported GBCs in several countries and am convinced of the importance of harmonisation at regional, national and global levels.  

The WGBC is the best example of this global-local magic; GBCs can learn from each other, influence their networks and political environment, and ultimately get involved in major international conferences. 

How are European countries evolving today in terms of environmental initiatives and the decarbonisation of buildings?  

In my opinion, the European taxonomy has been a game changer in bringing the issue of decarbonisation to the attention of major real estate investors and financial institutions. As an entrepreneur, I am not in favour of excessive and rigid regulation. I believe that more flexible regulations, developed in consultation with industry stakeholders, promote more effective and higher-quality implementation, thereby contributing to successful urban and regional development and the construction of safe and healthy buildings.  

Are we moving towards greater harmonisation of processes? Or are we sticking with more national/local approaches? 

I don’t think we will be able to harmonise processes across Europe; I am thinking in particular of the ZAN (Zero Net Artificialisation Law), which would be politically unthinkable in Austria or Germany, with their federal structures. Nevertheless, I am convinced that the targets in particular will be harmonised, as well as measurability and comparability, of course. 

One of the highlights of my work for the WGBC was the World Buildings Climate Forum held in Paris in March 2024. France supported the “Buildings Breakthrough” initiative after COP28 and invited 1,500 delegates to discuss concrete solutions and measures and to adopt the Chaillot Declaration[1] .

As a concrete example of the success of European GBCs, I can cite the “BuildingLife project” for the decarbonisation of buildings throughout their lifetime. A total of 16 members participated and national decarbonisation roadmaps were developed in 12 countries, including France, via the HQE-GBC France Alliance.  

The WGBC ERN was also able to participate in the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD[2]) at European level last year. At the same time, more than 800 companies support roadmaps for decarbonisation throughout the life cycle of buildings, leading to greater accountability and more action at both local and international level

Why is the European regulatory framework not enough? 

I don’t think the European legal framework is insufficient, but rather that initiatives are supported at all levels and that we are all aware of the importance of the construction and real estate sector in the context of climate change. Just think that the cement industry produces more CO2 emissions than all air traffic combined; producers are already working on solutions, architects and builders must accept and integrate their responsibility – not to build for quick turnover and resale, but for value preservation over several generations.  

I am convinced that energy efficiency, the use of sustainable materials and the renovation of existing buildings will significantly reduce climate-damaging emissions. At the same time, the industry is creating important levers for achieving climate goals and designing liveable and resilient cities for future generations.  

[1] On Friday 8 March, the World Buildings and Climate Forum culminated in the adoption of the “Chaillot Declaration” by representatives from 70 countries. This founding text will enable rapid, fair and effective transition in the real estate sector. The “Chaillot Declaration” represents a major and decisive step forward in the operational implementation of the Paris Agreement. For the first time, government representatives have agreed on a joint declaration to engage the entire economic value chain in the transition.
For more information: Chaillot Declaration | Ministries of Spatial Planning and Ecological Transition

[2]  Aiming to achieve a fully decarbonised building stock by 2050, the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive contributes directly to the EU’s energy and climate objectives. Find out more: Energy Performance of Buildings Directive