EHL Sustainability Report 2023

EHL and the Environment

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EHL is active in many areas Our headquarters building in Vienna’s 4 th District has received LEED Gold certifica- tion. To ensure the sustainable realisation of our services, we always choose qualified partners who are ecologically and economically con- vincing through resource-conserving work. In 2023, EHL commissioned a total of 426 suppliers to provide all real estate services throughout the country. As experts, we have advised our customers for over 15 years with regard to sustainability and environmental awareness and, recently, also extensively on green building certifica- tion.

Sustainability has become an increasingly important issue for the Austrian real estate market since 2020/21 due to ESG require- ments and the EU Taxonomy. The related requirements from project- financing banks also play a role here – and sustainability and environmental factors are now an integral part of the rental criteria for potential tenants.

The EU has set ambitious goals The current stock of properties in Europe is responsible for 40 % of energy consumption and 36 % of CO2 emissions in the EU. Many of these buildings are more than 50 years old and were not designed to maximise energy efficiency. This situation must now change.

Ecology

 Energy efficiency  Minimisation of heat loss  Renewable energies  Resource conservation  Water efficiency

Different effects, great opportunities

 Greening  Recycling

Real estate has a significant impact on our environment throughout its entire lifecycle: from the production of building materials to operation and disposal on dismantling. With a sustainable approach and actions, our branch can play a key role in containing climate change and ensure a better future for coming generations. Sustainable materials, targeted measures for greater energy efficiency and green technologies also have more, very concrete advantages. They help building owners and operators to reduce the negative effects on the environment, limit operating costs and increase the value of their properties.

Social

 Health and safety  Accessibility  Comfort and quality of life  Responsible actions  Urban gardening  Meeting zones

Economy

 Cost efficiency  Value growth  Reduction of operating costs

The goals are clearly defined in the Paris Climate Agreement: CO2 emissions in the EU must be reduced by 55 % versus the 1990 base year by 2030, and climate neu- trality is targeted by 2050. Estimates by the Commission show that the extensive energetic renovation of buildings could reduce energy consumption in the EU by 6 % and lead to CO2 savings of 5 %.

 Use of durable materials  Sustainable operations

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