Sustainable Investing through Real Estate Switzerland

We view sustainability as a comprehensive corporate responsibility, aiming to contribute to the future as a responsible investor today.

A key part of our strategy is integrating sustainability criteria throughout the entire lifecycle of our properties.

Overview

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Positioning

Sustainability has been core part of our strategy for over 10 years – both in the Swiss real estate investment products of UBS and those of the former Credit Suisse (CS), which have been fully integrated into the portfolio of UBS Fund Management (Switzerland) AG since September 1, 2024. More information can be found in our sustainability brochure (PDF, 4 MB) .

Our real estate products are classified as sustainable products according to the latest version of AMAS («Self-regulation on transparency and disclosure for sustainability-related collective»). By applying the ESG integration and climate alignment investment approaches, we pursue both qualitative and quantitative sustainability goals.

Goals

Clear goals by 2050.

Our decisions in the present day impact the lives of future generations. That's why, since 2022, we have established binding goals and interim targets up to 2050 and integrated them into our fund contracts and investment guidelines.

SDGs

To contribute to the global agenda for sustainable development, we align our sustainability strategy with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. We focus on the nine goals that are relevant to the real estate sector.

Enabling healthy lives and well-being for people of all ages

Promoting satisfaction and well-being
Analysis and consideration of the needs of our employees

Ensuring sustainable water management

Reduction of water consumption
Installation of energy- and water-efficient appliances

Ensuring access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy

Promotion of solar power
Centralized energy purchasing
Efficiency measures

Supporting resilient infrastructure and innovation

Use of new technologies
Promotion of digital communication channels
Promotion of modern mobility concepts

Making cities resilient and sustainable

Sustainable settlement planning
Access to housing for the general population
Promotion of sustainable mobility

Ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns

Use of existing buildings and fewer new buildings
Durable and future-oriented construction
Promotion of life cycle assessment

Tackling climate change and its impacts

Successive replacement of fossil heating systems
Reduction of embodied energy in construction projects
Resilience to climate-related risks

Protecting, restoring terrestrial ecosystems and promoting their sustainable use

Promoting near-natural environmental design to preserve biodiversity and increase the quality of life
Promotion of green spaces to reduce heat

Fostering partnerships for sustainable development

Integrating net zero into investment planning
Build networks with partners who share the same goals and values

United Nations: Sustainable Development Goals

United Nations: Sustainable Development Goals: The content of this publication has not been approved by the United Nations and does not reflect the views of the United Nations or its officials or Member States.

Climate risks

The real estate sector plays a significant role in Switzerland's greenhouse gas emissions, making it a key area for regulatory focus. Concurrently, the effects of climate change and the resulting extreme weather events may present considerable risks to our buildings. It is crucial to understand these climate risks for effective sustainable real estate management.

Physical climate risks encompass events that may become more frequent and intense due to climate change, such as floods and hail, which can lead to property damage. We conduct annual assessments to evaluate the potential risk for increased damage and consider how properties can be designed to adapt to future conditions.

Transitional climate risks arise from the shift towards a low-carbon economy, including regulatory requirements aimed at reducing CO₂ emissions. We assess transitional climate risks through an annual review of the CO₂ reduction strategies at both the property and product levels. This process enables us to proactively determine compliance with current regulations and implement necessary measures when required. The reduction strategy serves as a vital tool for strategic planning and management at the portfolio level.

Portfolio Overview

Extension of LOKwerk in Winterthur (UBS Green Property)

Extension on the shopping center LOKwerk in Winterthur-Töss
60 new rental apartments in a central location
Wood construction material from Switzerland
Green roof areas and courtyard-like roof terrace create a pleasant living environment

Extension and Component Reuse in Bern (UBS AST-IS)

80% of the building structure in the shell remains intact
Other elements are returned to the cycle: Complete roof structure, all windows, lights, kitchens, and interior doors
Increasing the building footprint creates over 20% more apartments and almost 30% more living space

Benchmarking

The CO₂ benchmark established by the Swiss non-profit organization REIDA (Real Estate Investment Data Association) emphasizes climate-related information derived from actual measured data and standardized calculation techniques. Through the CO₂ benchmark, REIDA seeks to provide transparent nationwide comparison opportunities and reference points for assessing CO₂ emissions or CO₂ intensity of income properties. All methodological details and conversion factors are disclosed.

GRESB is an independent entity that assesses the sustainability performance of real asset portfolios across public, private, and direct sectors globally. They provide ESG data, scorecards, benchmarking reports, and tools for portfolio analysis. Since 2015, RE-CH has been involved in the GRESB Assessment. More information about GRESB can be found here.

GRESB results 2025

Daniela Jorio, Team Lead Sustainability at Real Estate Switzerland

«The REIDA CO₂ benchmark is based on real measured consumption values and ensures that the calculation of key figures is carried out according to a uniform standard. This increases transparency and comparability. Therefore, we have been participating in the REIDA CO₂ benchmark with our products since its launch in 2022.»

Partnerships

Collaborations

Tackling climate goals presents complex challenges for the entire real estate industry. Consequently, we are involved in various working groups to find solutions alongside like-minded partners, promoting transparency and comparability for our investors.

A significant result of this cooperative initiative is the development of the "Standard Questionnaire on Sustainability Criteria for Real Estate Investments (English)" through the "Swiss Sustainable Real Estate Group" working group. This tool allows investors to gather sustainability-related metrics from property managers. In August 2024, Swiss Sustainable Finance adopted this standard questionnaire, setting a new benchmark for transparency. It is regularly updated and improved to ensure relevance and comprehensiveness.

Our participation in various working groups has also facilitated the introduction of "green leases" and joint tenant surveys with relevant benchmarks.

Furthermore, as a founding member, we endorsed the "Circular Construction Charter" in 2023.

Our reporting delivers detailed insights into advancements related to the sustainability of our products and operations.

Real Estate Switzerland issues an extensive sustainability report annually. Furthermore, specific sustainability information pertaining to individual funds is included in the annual reports and sustainability fact sheets of each real estate fund.