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Global Investors Collaborate for Sustainable Real Estate at Climate Week NYC

On September 22-23, 2026, the first annual Sustainable Real Estate Forum (SREF) took place in New York City during Climate Week NYC. This important event was held in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the GlobalABC, and other prominent organizations. With a goal to align climate ambition with actionable capital decisions, the forum convened government leaders, investors, lenders, and asset managers from around the globe.

Addressing the Housing Crisis

Ambassador Antônio Francisco da Costa e Silva Neto, a chief advisory member from Brazil's Ministry of Cities, delivered the opening keynote address. During his speech, he highlighted the 5.7 million household deficit Argentina is currently facing and how the country's national housing programs are addressing this shortfall while integrating clean energy solutions. The ambassador emphasized the necessity for climate ambitions to result in practical and socially inclusive strategies.

"This forum brings together those who rarely meet in discussion—governments, investors, developers, financial institutions, and technical experts," said Ambassador Neto.

Launch of the Blend Better Cement Campaign

One of the key highlights was the global launch of the Blend Better Cement campaign, aimed at promoting lower-carbon blended cement alternatives. This initiative is a collaborative effort supported by several organizations, including the Cement and Concrete Breakthrough Agenda, Climate Group, and Systemiq. The campaign seeks to achieve 50% lower emissions per ton compared to traditional cement while maintaining similar quality and durability.

Voices from Around the World

Representatives from Ethiopia, Tanzania, Cambodia, Uganda, and Ghana joined the push for lower-carbon solutions, pledging support for policies that favor blended cement. Speakers at this session included various policymakers and industry leaders who discussion on leveraging new technologies to improve sustainable practices in construction.

Innovations Highlighted

The SREF not only paved the way for policy discussions but also showcased several innovative technologies in the climate sector:
1. Gigaton demonstrated how artificial intelligence can significantly reduce costs and emissions in cement production through enhanced process control.
2. WellStat illustrated practical applications of real-time energy data to uncover savings and improve operational efficiency in real estate.
3. Optiml presented its decision intelligence platform, which helps managers extract actionable insights from portfolio data to make sound capital allocation decisions in support of decarbonization.

Both panel discussions and case studies exhibited the growing recognition among industry leaders that sustainable practices are not merely optional but essential for responsible investment.

The Housing Transition: A Call to Action

The second day was kicked off with keynotes discussing the pressing need to increase the use of electricity in sustainable practices. Roland Hunziker, Co-chair of GlobalABC, highlighted the need for asset modernization to support sustainability goals by increasing electricity's share from 21% to 35% by 2035.

Panel discussions prompted debate over what institutional investors expect from asset managers. The consensus built on previous discussions emphasized the urgency of transforming sustainability goals from mere ambitions to clear, actionable plans backed by credible data.

In closing, Ambassador Neto reiterated, "Governments will be judged not by the promises they make but by the tangible results they deliver." This message resonates strongly as stakeholders continue to seek clarity in regulations that would drive the necessary capital for successfully transitioning towards sustainable real estate practices.

As SREF continues its global efforts to bring together key stakeholders, its upcoming events promise to add value to the evolving landscape of sustainable real estate. The next program is the IQ-EQ × SREF Powering Intelligence Summit scheduled for November 3, 2026, in London.

For further information on this historic forum and insights into sustainable practices in real estate, visit Sustainable Real Estate Forum.