Sustainability at CPI Europe
The real estate branch is one of the largest sources of climate-damaging emissions in the world. At CPI Europe, we are aware of this situation and have set a goal to massively reduce the CO2 emissions from our portfolio in the coming years. Together with our majority owner, CPI Property Group, and our subsidiary, S IMMO, we are following a targeted sustainability strategy that includes many detailed measures and covers all facets of ESG.
Sustainability in our VIVO! Shopping Centers
We pursue a broad approach to sustainability initiatives, which we have already implemented and are continuously developing further.
Our ESG Strategy
CPI Europe is one of the most important players on the European office and commercial property market. With a portfolio of roughly 3 million square metres of rentable space, we have a very special responsibility for the environment, society and our economic environment. A commitment to sustainable actions is therefore a central element of our corporate strategy.
Coverage for all aspects of ESG
In light of the rapidly advancing climate change, the reduction of our greenhouse gas emissions has particularly high priority. We are also actively addressing social issues as well as responsible and transparent corporate governance.
On the road to a sustainable future
Together with our majority owner, CPI Property Group, and our subsidiary, S IMMO, we have been pursuing ambitious sustainability goals for the entire corporation since August 2023. We want to anchor ecological, social and economic sustainability in our portfolio over the long term in the interest of our stakeholders and throughout our entire value chain.
Integration of sustainability in the governance processes of CPI Europe
The Executive Board is responsible for the strategic orientation and sustainable development of CPI Europe. It is supported and advised in these activities by the Supervisory Board. The strategic focal points of sustainability management are based on a group-wide double materiality analysis which was carried out in 2024 in accordance with European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS).
Our Sustainability Goals
Our group-wide harmonised sustainability strategy starts with 2019 as the base year and establishes concrete goals for all three areas of ESG – Environmental, Social and Governance. These goals will be met through effective and viable measures.
Environmental
One of our most important goals in the area of ecological sustainability is the reduction of our greenhouse gas intensity. In this context, we want to achieve a reduction of 32.7% in the CO2 emissions from our real estate portfolio, including the emissions from biomass, by 2030. This goal was validated by the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) at the holding company level.
We also want to reduce the resource consumption in our real estate portfolio at various levels and have defined specific goals for energy, water and waste.
Reduction of greenhouse gas intensity
- Minus 32.7% by 2030*
- Minus 50% in the 2024 financial year*
Reduction of energy intensity
- Minus 10% by 2030*
- Minus 20% in the 2024 financial year
Reduction of water intensity
- Minus 10% by 2030*
- Minus 25% in the 2024 financial year
* Versus the 2019 base year
Avoidance of landfill waste
- Waste recycling rate of 55% by the end of 2025 and 60% by 2030
- Waste recycling rate of 36% in the 2024 financial year
Taxonomy aligned economic activities
- Gradual increase in the share at the consolidated group level
Social
With innovative design concepts and responsible building operations, we create attractive living and working spaces for the users of our properties. We also actively incorporate current labour market and consumer behaviour trends. This allows us to generate sustainable added value for all our stakeholders. We also strive to foster a working climate in our company that is based on openness, equal treatment and diversity. We offer exciting professional development opportunities for our employees and, in doing so, attract the best talent for the corporate success of CPI Europe.
Increase in the share of certified buildings
Access4you, BREEAM, DGNB, EDGE, Green Key, Green Star, HQE, LEED, WELL
- Continuous increase
- Roughly 58% of the carrying amount of the standing investment portfolio at the end of 2024 with green building certification
Group-wide standardised green lease contracts
- Gradual roll out to all newly concluded and extended commercial rental contracts in the coming years
- Additional contracts concluded in 2024
Women in management positions
- A minimum share of 33% female managers
- 2024: Target of 29% met
Training and education
- Minimum of eight training hours per employee each year
- 2024: 13.2 training hours per employee
Employee satisfaction
- Employee satisfaction survey every two years
- Next survey in the 2025 financial year
Governance
We see responsible management as the foundation for our long-term commercial success. In our daily activities, we rely on high transparency in reporting and are guided by codes and other internal policies. This is reflected in the high level of trust we enjoy from our investors, business partners, employees and many other stakeholders.
Code of conduct for employees
- Acceptance of the code of conduct by all employees
- 2024: Target of 100% met
Employee training on the code of conduct and all related guidelines
- Mandatory training each year
- 2024: Participation by all employees
Code of conduct for suppliers
- Included as part of every new and extended supply contract
- Continuation in 2024 financial year
Executive Board remuneration
- Orientation on ESG criteria
- Individual remuneration agreements concluded for 2024
Materiality Analysis
Group-wide materiality analysis in 2024
CPI Europe carries out materiality analyses at regular intervals to develop an effective and targeted ESG strategy. Based on the results, ESG topics are identified and assessed for their relevance and impacts on the company’s business activities. A new group-wide harmonised materiality analysis was carried out during the 2024 financial year which reflects the double materiality requirements defined by the new European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS).
Sustainability Reports
Our non-financial statements describes our sustainability goals as well as the specific measures we are implementing to achieve them. The statements include key facts and figures on our business practices. They are intended to present a detailed picture of how we see our responsibility towards the environment, tenants, investors, employees and other stakeholders.
The non-financial statement is an integral part of the group management report and is published in the annual financial report / annual report. In the 2024 financial year, our non-financial report was subjected for the first time to an external audit with limited assurance by Ernst & Young Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft m.b.H.
Our non-financial reporting for the 2023 financial year was recognised with a Silver Award from the EPRA Sustainability Best Practices Recommendations (sBPR).
In addition to our ESG reporting, we prepared our first corporate sustainability report, covering the 2024 financial year. It includes valuable information with great importance for our stakeholders which, however, is not classified as material based on the ESRS valuation methodology.
Codes and Initiatives
Basis for responsible management
The Code of Business Ethics and Conduct issued by CPI Europe forms the starting point for meeting our responsibility in all corporate activities and decisions. It defines the basic approach and fundamental values for our responsible management. The core elements are responsible interaction with the environment, employees and customers as well as fair business practices.
Download
ESG Rating and Green Financing
Sustainable investments
A growing number of investors are also basing their investment decisions on criteria that include environmental protection, social conduct and fair management. Their objective is to invest in companies with a sustainable business strategy. CPI Europe reflects this trend through its participation in ESG initiatives and ratings.
Sustainability-based ratings & rankings
Publication of environmental data on the Carbon Disclosure Project
CPI Europe has released information on the impacts of its business activities on the climate as part of the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) since 2021. Consolidated disclosures were made by our majority owner CPI Property Group in the last two reporting years. CDP, a global non-profit organisation, is the world’s largest platform for the release of environmental data. This initiative encourages companies and governments to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, protect water resources and preserve forests. In 2023, more than 23,000 companies representing over two-thirds of worldwide market capitalisation published environmental data over CDP. More than 1,200 cities, states and regions did the same. That makes the CDP platform one of the world’s more comprehensive information sources on how companies and governments are driving the ecological transformation.
Download: CDP Report by the CPI Property Group
Current projects and initiatives
