#United States #New York #GRESB #Tishman Speyer #BuildingMinds

Industry Leaders Unite for a Decarbonization Mission

On July 24, 2025, a significant gathering of influential real estate companies, including Tishman Speyer, Schindler, GRESB, and EQT Real Estate, took place at 30 Rockefeller Center during the Sustainable Real Estate Forum, a pivotal event in NYC Energy Week. Under the guidance of Peter Panayi, Head of Global Go-To-Market at BuildingMinds, the forum brought forward pressing discussions around the urgent need for data-driven approaches to achieve sustainability in the real estate sector.

The Shift Towards Smart Data

As Chris Pyke, Chief Innovation Officer at GRESB emphasized, “We’re reaching a maturity point where 80-85% data coverage is achievable for most companies.” The next challenge lies in questioning the purpose of that data, moving beyond mere reporting to truly understanding asset dynamics. The forum engaged industry leaders in discussions about transforming data into actionable intelligence that informs portfolio-level decisions critical for sustainability.

Keynote Highlights

The afternoon event featured keynote addresses from Brookfield and a pivotal panel discussion titled “Data-driven Decarbonization Unlocking Value Across Real Estate Infrastructure.” Moderated by Nikki Greenberg, a renowned keynote speaker, the discussion featured insights from influential figures like Paul Rode from Tishman Speyer and Richard Piovano from Schindler. The event underscored the existing gap in sustainability practices and how data intelligence can bridge that gap through innovative strategies.

Insights from the Forum

One highlight was the demonstration of how Tishman Speyer utilizes smart building data to align operational excellence with decarbonization targets while prioritizing tenant satisfaction. Moreover, Schindler presented innovations in vertical mobility systems that not only enhance user experience but also yield measurable sustainability improvements.

GRESB, on the other hand, shed light on how sustainability benchmarking is evolving; it has transcended simple compliance into a powerful tool for differentiating real estate portfolios in investment circles. This shift encourages operators to aim higher regarding energy use metrics and overall sustainability performance.

The conversations also emphasized the need for portfolio-level transformations, wherein asset-level innovations lead to improved sustainability scores for funds. The participants examined the special challenges faced by sectors such as logistics and industrials, where significant sustainability opportunities abound but are often met with operational constraints and investment pressure.

Navigating Tenant and Investor Dynamics

A candid dialogue highlighted the tension between investor-driven sustainability objectives and tenant needs. While investors push for greener portfolios, tenants often prioritize operational efficiencies and managing rising energy costs, particularly in industrial properties. Paul Rode illustrated how Tishman Speyer is integrating carbon planning directly into their asset management, ensuring that every decision considers the future carbon footprint of properties.

Looking Ahead

As the forum concluded, anticipation for future regulatory pressures became evident. Key speakers discussed the importance of addressing previously unconditioned warehouse spaces to meet worker comfort standards and managing electrification of tenant fleets, illustrating evolving industry benchmarks.

Extensive networking sessions provided attendees with a platform to forge partnerships and collaborate on innovative solutions to the pressing sustainability hurdles facing the sector.

This forum reinforced New York City's status as a beacon of sustainable real estate innovation. Major players in the industry demonstrated that through strategic partnerships and technology adoption, they are paving the way towards low-carbon, future-ready real estate portfolios.

About the Participating Organizations

Tishman Speyer is a significant player in global real estate management, overseeing top-tier properties across diverse markets, while GRESB sets global sustainability benchmarks that inform capital markets. EQT Real Estate commands a leading position with a robust asset portfolio, enhancing real estate investment performance. BuildingMinds contributes groundbreaking software solutions that optimize building performance, underscoring the importance of data in progression toward sustainability goals. Together, these organizations are essential drivers of change in the real estate landscape, focusing on transformation through intelligent data management.