Seeing is Believing: Unlocking the Low-Carbon Real Estate Market.

Research paper by LOTUF and Systemiq (2024) | Retrofitting, Information, Technology

Curator: Alexandra Faciu

Westmount, Canada

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Why we recommend it: This paper, commissioned by the Leaders of the Urban Future (LOTUF) project, funded by major institutional investors, aims to accelerate decarbonization in unlisted real estate. It identifies key market gaps: limited transparency on carbon and energy performance, and misalignment between 1.5°C pathways and current certifications. These issues obscure demand signals and hinder the link between carbon and value. The paper outlines actions for owners and stakeholders to build the infrastructure, standards, pathways, certifications, and data, needed for a voluntary low-carbon market that can shape future regulation. It also acknowledges the importance of climate resilience, though outside the scope of this initiative.

Key takeaways:

- Decarbonizing real estate is essential to decarbonizing the global economy. Low-carbon buildings are more efficient, attractive to climate-co…