CBRE expands sustainability team

The CBRE sustainability team has been growing rapidly and now consists of six persons. Five new faces joined within the space of a year: Jasmin Koolhaas, Caithlin Marugg, Zaïda Thépass and Anne-Marije Scheffe have come in to strengthen the team as consultants, along with Hannah Scott who has made the move from CBRE London. The team is led by Tim Habraken, Associate Director Sustainability. The expansion is a response to the growing demand for sustainability advice in the real estate sector.

Growing importance of sustainability certificates

As sustainability continues to gain in importance, the real estate sector is no exception. There is a growing demand for advice on internationally recognised sustainability certificates such as BREEAM, LEED and WELL. “It’s a demand that comes primarily from institutional investors,” Tim Habraken explains. “They know that sustainability increases the value of real estate and of course they are also keen to comply with the government’s future sustainability regulations.” CBRE has now boosted the sustainability of over 2,000,000 sq. m. of commercial real estate.

Energy label C

In addition to certification, energy labels are also becoming an increasing focus of attention. The government has stipulated that all office premises must at least have label C by 2023. “The scope for improving the energy label differs from building to building,” Tim continues, “and that calls for tailor-made advice. In this area too, we are seeing a rise in demand. The year 2023 is coming ever closer and property owners will have to act soon. Approximately half the office stock in the Netherlands is not yet prepared for this legislation. With our expanded team, we are ready to meet this demand.”

Long-term advice

“We stand out in the market because we provide strategic sustainability advice that links real estate strategy with sustainability potential,” Tim says. “Working closely with the customer, we look at how sustainability can be integrated as smartly as possible into a building or a fund, adding genuine value with a business case that suits owner, user and location. In our view, certification or energy improvement is not simply a checklist designed for a snap inspection, but an opportunity to optimise a building’s long-term potential. It’s an approach that helps our customers make the built environment more sustainable and smarter.”

Sustainability: a mainstay of real estate advice

Thanks to CBRE’s integrated approach, in which teams from various specialisms work together, sustainability has become a mainstay of its broader consultancy services. Working from the conviction that sustainability advice does not stand alone, the team collaborates closely with CBRE’s other specialists.

The sustainability team works daily on advice and strategies to increase the value of real estate by making buildings, funds and organisations more sustainable, healthier and smarter. As a result of its expansion, the team has a full range of specialised knowledge on reporting and certification methods, changes to legislation and subsidy options.

Read more about services and projects in the field of sustainability and real estate here.