In real estate, the winds of change are blowing stronger than ever. Sustainability certifications are no longer a desirable add-on, but an essential driver of value for both investors and tenants. The evidence is clear: sustainable buildings achieve higher valuations, generate greater interest, and deliver stronger returns. Savills’ global data reinforces this reality.
We are at a decisive moment. The upcoming European Union Directives for 2030 will impose strict sustainability standards, accelerating the transformation of the sector. Time is short, and action is urgent: now is the moment to position assets and strategies for a regulatory future built on responsibility and transparency. Those who hesitate risk losing competitiveness.
The good news is that investment in sustainability is already delivering solid results. Beyond consistent returns, it reassures investors that their assets are future-proof. To build on this momentum, it is crucial to educate the market and raise awareness not only around high-profile, transaction-ready projects, but across all real estate segments, whether directly tradable or not.
At Savills, we are driving this evolution with solutions that cross borders. Our global network ensures that best practices in one region can be applied elsewhere, keeping us at the forefront of ESG innovation. Through integrated strategies and active knowledge sharing, our teams in Portugal and abroad combine expertise and experience, ensuring every project benefits from the most advanced approaches to sustainability.
Credibility is the cornerstone of our work. Since 2017, we have operated within a rigorous global sustainability framework, measuring decarbonization, energy consumption, and ESG impact with scientific precision. The results are clear: today, our operations in Portugal account for just 80 tons of CO₂ emissions under Scope 1 and 2. By 2028, our entire vehicle fleet will be fully electric, and all our buildings are already powered by 100% certified green energy. Our global sustainability policy, centered on climate, culture, and community, is regularly reviewed to ensure the highest standards of governance.
But real estate is not just about buildings: it is, above all, about people. We spend more than 90% of our lives indoors, which makes social sustainability just as important as environmental action. At Savills Portugal, the Empowering Lab initiative reflects this vision. Focused on well-being, it promotes measures that foster work-life balance, strengthen team spirit, and support the community. These include flexible schedules, remote working, volunteering opportunities, and active listening to employee feedback, enabling co-creation of solutions aligned with the same ESG principles we advocate for our clients.
At the same time, we are investing in biophilic materials, waste separation and management systems, and energy efficiency projects such as fleet conversion and solar panel installation. Each initiative contributes to reducing environmental impact while creating healthier, more inspiring spaces.
This commitment becomes even more urgent within the European context. The 2030 Directives are not a distant possibility: they are already underway. The construction sector remains one of the largest contributors to emissions and energy consumption, with the majority of buildings still operating inefficiently. Against this backdrop, it is essential to proactively educate clients, regulators, and society at large. Investors are increasingly steering away from properties without energy certification - a trend that will only intensify.
That is why, when advising clients, we treat ESG not as an accessory but as a central strategic pillar across all business areas. The goal is clear: to maximize asset value, particularly in an international market that is ever more demanding in terms of measurable sustainability metrics. Certifications such as BREEAM, LEED, WELL, WiredScore, and SmartScore are valuable tools, but what matters most is how ESG reshapes design, operations, building adaptability, and ultimately, the user experience.
The path ahead is clear. Sustainability in real estate should not be seen as a cost, but as an investment in value, resilience, and social impact. It is about aligning financial objectives with the urgent need to protect the planet, while providing people with spaces that uplift their well-being. At Savills Portugal, this is the ethos that guides our work: rooted in credibility, supported by a global knowledge network, and focused on enriching lives.
Have a great and impactful week,
Paula Sequeira, Consultancy & Valuation Director Savills Portugal