Sustainable Building Trends to Keep an Eye On

Philippa Gill

20 years: Real estate investment

What does the future show for sustainability in the built environment? Explore smart technologies, evolving policies, and changing investor expectations with Philippa Gill.

Real Estate Commercial Real Estate Sector

What does the future show for sustainability in the built environment? Explore smart technologies, evolving policies, and changing investor expectations with Philippa Gill.

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Sustainable Building Trends to Keep an Eye On

14 mins 49 secs

Key learning objectives:

Outline emerging technologies in built environment
Understand the role of policy and regulation
Explore the role of stakeholders and finance tools

Overview:

Emerging technologies such as AI and the Internet of Things (IoT) are transforming sustainable building design and operations. Regulatory frameworks are a major driver of sustainability, shaping both market behaviour and building operations - for example, the SFDR, the EU Green Deal, EPBD and MEES. Stakeholders and green finance tools are likewise increasingly shaping sustainable building practices.

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Summary

What emerging technologies are shaping the built environment?

Emerging technologies such as AI and the Internet of Things (IoT) are transforming sustainable building design and operations. Building Management Systems (BMS) now integrate a variety of IoT devices to optimise energy use, reduce waste, and enhance comfort.

How do policy and regulation influence sustainable buildings?

Regulatory frameworks are a major driver of sustainability, shaping both market behaviour and building operations. Policy operates on two levels:

Top-down: Examples include the EU’s Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), the EU Green Deal, and the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act. These regulations drive transparency, accountability, and alignment with climate goals.
Bottom-up: Examples include the EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and the UK’s Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES).

What role do stakeholders play in sustainable buildings?

Stakeholders are increasingly shaping sustainable building practices. Large institutional investors, for example, now prioritise buildings with clear environmental performance data, resilience strategies, and low carbon risk. Tenants and employees demand healthier indoor environments, transparency on emissions, and accountability through third-party certifications.

What role do finance tools play in sustainable buildings?

Green, social, sustainable, sustainability-linked, and transition finance tools fund energy-efficient projects and building upgrades. Efficiency loans and green mortgages provide lower-cost financing for sustainable buildings, incentivising retrofits and construction aligned with environmental goals.

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Philippa Gill

Philippa joined EVORA Global in January 2020, initially to focus on the expansion into Europe and our Climate Resilience Services. Given her background in private equity real estate, she brings deep knowledge of investment drivers and associated risk factors. She continues to sponsor our Social Wellbeing and EVOLVE education service lines at Executive level, while also providing senior strategic support to a number of Evora’s key global clients.

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