Speedwell, a real estate developer in Romania, published its 2022 Sustainability Report, the first official ESG reporting document of the company.
Industrial & logistics spaces will play a crucial role in solar energy, as more than half of it will be provided by rooftop solar PV by 2030, according to a study from CBRE.
Lack of education in terms of ESG (environmental, social, and governance) and a poor number of good practice solutions are two of the challenges in the field, says Matius Ichim, Architect at Matius Studio and owner of the retail platform www.prioretail.ro. He talked to Green Forum about the advantages of a sustainably built commercial space. He says that 15-20% of the operating networks in Romania have started implementing ESG key principles in their fit-out design and close to 5% in full sustainable standards.
The number of "green" or smart projects has increased by 100% in the last 10 years.
Sonae Sierra has reduced its CO2 emissions by approximately 90% from 2005 to date and its electricity consumption by 66% since 2002. The company announces that it has avoided costs of €34.9 million by implementing eco-efficiency measures.
The schools in Vrancea will be equipped with photovoltaic panels. The Minister of Investments and European Projects, Marcel Boloș, and the President of the Vrancea County Council, Cătălin Toma, signed the contract worth a total of €1.2 million for the production of green energy in the county. The contract will finance the project "Investments in electricity production capacities for own consumption at the level of Vrancea County". The project is financed by the Large Infrastructure Operational Program 2014-2020.
Drobeta Turnu Severin Emergency County Hospital becomes energy efficient, by installing monocrystalline photovoltaic panels. The Mehedinți County Council announces that an important part of the modernization and energy efficiency project of the hospital's main building is the thermal efficiency of the building together with alternative energy sources that will ensure both patient comfort and lower costs for the maintenance of the medical unit.
Romania must invest in the rehabilitation of buildings and heating systems to reduce energy poverty, through REPowerEU, according to the Romanian Energy Poverty Observatory (ORSE) experts. The essence of the REPowerEU investments and reforms package is to reduce energy poverty and the effects of the crisis at the level of the European Union. Measures such as improving the insulation of buildings inhabited by vulnerable consumers and replacing their heating and cooling systems with modern types of equipment are the most effective way to tackle energy poverty.
Romanians who want photovoltaic panels can apply for the Casa Verde Photovoltaic Program, starting on May 19. The application submission period for natural persons is May 19 - June 26. The total budget allocated to the program is RON2 billion (€400 million) and the subsidy is a maximum of RON20,000 (€4,000); on the other hand, the beneficiaries must contribute at least RON2,000 (€400).
The Babeş-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca has accessed a European project of €3.8 million to increase the energy efficiency of the buildings of the chemical research institute. The implementation period of a project is two years.
Kaufland becomes the first Zero Waste certified company in Romania. At least 90% of all operational waste has been prevented, reused, recycled, composted, or fermented. The goal is to limit the amount of waste, make waste reuse more efficient, and evaluate the performance of the waste and recyclable materials management system.
NEPI Rockcastle receives a new green financing of €200 million, for Mega Mall and Promenada Sibiu. The loan proceeds will be used to repay the revolving credit facilities used for the acquisitions of Forum Gdansk and Copernicus Shopping Centre, which were completed in December 2022. Subsequently, the Group's total revolving credit facility capacity will be restored to €620 million.
The Sibiu County Council announces investments of RON 2.48 million (€496,000) for the energy efficiency of the Dental Clinic building, within the Sibiu County Emergency Clinical Hospital. A charging station for electric vehicles will also be installed within this project.
The Doraly Expo Market commercial park is investing €2.1 million in energy efficiency solutions, by installing photovoltaic power plants, and charging stations for electric cars and replacing all lighting fixtures with LEDs. The photovoltaic panels will produce approximately 2,700 MWh of green energy annually, representing approximately 50% of the energy consumed.
Globalworth analyzed its performance over 3 years and set its environmental target of reducing its GHG emissions intensity by 40% by 2030 compared to its baseline 2019 levels. About 90% of the group's commercial properties are green-certified and about 98% of the energy used in the portfolio came from renewable sources at the end of 2022.
Building owners in Romania are much more interested in ESG standards and also have higher expectations when it comes to sustainability than their counterparts in other countries, according to a survey by CBRE.
The Echo-Archicom 2030 strategy is to follow a road map that lays out year by year how both companies are to decarbonize through zero-emission developments while further increasing the role of greenery in the group's projects and supporting appropriate city development.
The tenants of IRIDE Park collected 10 tons of recycled paper and planted 30 trees within the park, as part of a campaign organized by CPI Romania. The company mentions that the ESG principles govern its entire activity, and this campaign is on the list of social responsibility projects of the company.
Green building certifications have become a must for landlords seeking competitive differentiators in today's challenging real estate market. Retail is the “greenest” sector, followed by industrial & logistics, and office, according to a Colliers report. In the coming years, landlords who fail to align with stakeholders' sustainability - demands will be affected, say the consultants.
The Dageco Expoziției Estate office building has obtained funding for the installation of 260 photovoltaic panels on the roof. The investment amounts to RON 500,000 (€100.000), without VAT, and the financing is provided by the Electric-Up program.
MEPs back plans for a climate-neutral building sector by 2050. Buildings account for 36% of greenhouse-gas emissions. New buildings to be zero-emission from 2028. Member states will establish the measures needed to achieve these targets in their national renovation plans.
Romania could save over €6 billion by 2050, by renovating old buildings. Also, reducing exposure to dampness and mold and addressing the lack of natural light in residential buildings generates welfare benefits estimated to be equivalent to around €100 billion per year in EU countries.
Real estate developer Iulius has entered into a partnership with IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, to develop a strategy to decarbonize the company's entire portfolio and reach the target of net-zero emissions.
Zuzanna Kurek, Investor Relations Manager and ESG Committee Member of One United Properties, spoke to Green Forum Forum about the ESG agenda of the Romanian developer and its role in growing the value of the company.
The European Union has reached a provisional agreement to reduce the scope and stringency of two major ESG regulatory frameworks: Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).
Waldevar Energy has begun construction on two utility-scale photovoltaic parks for Doral Energy in Tudor Vladimirescu (Brăila County) and Ștefan Vodă (Călărași County), Romania. The projects will deliver 14 MWp of installed capacity using around 25,000 photovoltaic panels.
Lidl Romania has published its eighth sustainability report for the 2024 financial year, announcing accelerated progress in reducing environmental impact. The retailer has achieved its international 2030 target for transitioning to natural refrigerants, with these now used in 100% of logistics centres and 81.7% of stores, compared to the original goal of 100% of logistics centres and 40% of stores. The company has also increased its green energy usage to 80% of total consumption.
Global law firm Dentons has advised OX2 on acquiring three wind power projects totaling 235 MW in Romania from Future Power. The projects, located in Vaslui and Vrancea counties, are expected to be commissioned between 2028 and 2030, subject to permitting.
Romania is emerging as a key destination for Turkish renewable energy investments, attracting growing interest from industrial and financial groups. Real grid connection opportunities for projects, infrastructure modernisation potential, and investment framework stability make Romania strategic for Turkish capital as Europe accelerates its transition to sustainable sources and energy independence.
