ECE logo
Contact Retailer-Login Menu Close_Menu
Contact

On the road to climate neutrality

ece.comSustainabilityESG ECE Marketplaces

ESG @ ECE Marketplaces

From improving the quality of the stay and indoor air to designing barrier-free accessibility and promoting sustainable mobility: sustainability aspects play an important role in the visitor experience in the centers. For example, we aim to significantly reduce our CO2 emissions in the shopping center sector by 40 percent by 2030 compared with 2019.

 

With a smartly planned ESG strategy and sustainable facility management, our centers are continuously becoming more efficient within the maintenance cycles. By using our "ECE map2zero", our shopping centers can become climate-neutral. We are not focusing on a few "best in class" properties, but would like to lead the entire portfolio on a climate path toward climate neutrality.

Joanna Fisher, CEO, ECE Marketplaces

"Climate neutrality can also work in shopping centers. To this end, we have developed a tailored roadmap that shows measures for the most efficient path to climate neutrality. But measures that can be implemented in the short term, such as those to increase energy efficiency or promote sustainable mobility, also play a central role in the further development of our centers."

100%

Use of green electricity in German centers

50%

Green lease contracts

98

DGNB, LEED and BREEAM certificates for our properties

Renewable energies, sustainable operations, climate adaptation & wellbeing

Environmental @ ECE Marketplaces

 

Renewable energies

Photovoltaic systems

Supplying real estate with renewable energy is an essential component in achieving climate targets. We therefore included the topic in our strategy for new developments more than a decade ago. In the case of photovoltaic systems, the biggest obstacle - also for existing properties - was the legal regulations. Our efforts in Berlin have also set things in motion here. We have therefore developed a strategy on how photovoltaic systems can be further integrated into the portfolio. We are gradually implementing this strategy.

100% green electricity and district heating

In order to rapidly reduce CO2 emissions in our centers, the first measure we took ten years ago was to switch from conventional electricity to green electricity. Today, we use 100% green electricity in our centers throughout Germany and have thus already been able to significantly reduce our CO2 emissions. In addition, the key is to move away from fossil fuels such as gas. Today, 80% of our German centers are equipped with district heating. We have the GEG (Building Energy Act) firmly in our sights and are working on solutions to convert gas-powered centers to other technologies. Switching from natural gas to district heating can save a whopping 90 percent of the CO2 emissions caused by heat consumption in the center.

Sustainable operations

Sustainable operation

In 2023, ECE launched the Energy and Environmental Management System (EUMS) as a program. 20,000 meters had to be transferred to the digital world, which represents a milestone for ESG reporting and ancillary cost billing. In addition to improving the quality and frequency of reporting, the EUMS will also lead to the optimization of energy-efficient center operations.

ESG specifications

ECE Marketplaces has developed a comprehensive ESG specification for interior fit-out and refurbishment measures in its shopping centers that is unique in the type of industry. Based on the DGNB guidelines and the EU taxonomy, it lists criteria that can be used to make sustainable decisions for climate-friendly construction measures and materials in line with the ECE standard - as a step-by-step guide. In addition to ecological aspects, economic and social aspects are also taken into account. In addition, the framework is intended to be used for the valuation of measures and adjustments so that a conversion can be designed sustainably.

Sustainable mobility

Increasing urbanization presents cities with a variety of challenges. As the population grows, so do the traffic and emission problems within conurbations. We have been adapting to this development for many years and are developing intelligent and sustainable mobility concepts for our centers in response. By 2025, all ECE centers in Europe are to be fitted-out with e-charging stations. We are also focusing on Car Sharing & Bike Sharing solutions and infrastructure for bicycles and e-bikes, as well as good public transport connections to promote sustainable mobility for people in urban areas.

Photovoltaic systems

Supplying real estate with renewable energy is an essential component in achieving climate targets. We therefore included the topic in our strategy for new developments more than a decade ago. In the case of photovoltaic systems, the biggest obstacle - also for existing properties - was the legal regulations. Our efforts in Berlin have also set things in motion here. We have therefore developed a strategy on how photovoltaic systems can be further integrated into the portfolio. We are gradually implementing this strategy.

Certified sustainable

Certification systems can help in assessing the sustainability of real estate. As an internationally active company, we support all well-known certification systems. To create binding framework conditions, all new construction projects are systematically built and certified according to the current certification criteria. Currently, our shopping centers are certified on the basis of around 98 certificates according to DGNB, LEED and BREEAM. We use this system for continuous further development, as the critical points identified as part of the certification process are optimized by us.

Climate adaptation & wellbeing

Green center roofs

Our center roofs are also becoming green, as more and more centers are making sensible use of the space for greater sustainability. For example, Frankfurt residents can rent and plant their own garden box on the roof of Skyline Plaza under the motto "Skyline Gardening". Additional insect hotels and a 50 m² wildflower meadow are used to attract bees and contribute to biodiversity in the city. Honey bee colonies have also moved into other centers in recent years. They found their new home in bee-friendly planted quarters surrounded by a species-appropriate catchment area. One highlight: visitors can gain an insight into the world of honey bees thanks to free guided tours by beekeepers.

Sustainable places to feel good

Our shopping centers are more than just retail space. Lighting concepts that are sustainable from an energy point of view and promote a feel-good atmosphere in the center ensure optimum quality of stay. Windows, glass fronts and domes provide plenty of daylight. Complemented by dimmable LED luminaires, brightness and light color can be adapted to daylight. Lounge areas and children's play areas invite visitors to linger. WLAN and cell phone charging stations ensure easy accessibility. All materials used are certified with regard to their harmlessness to harmful substances. Community shopping under ideal conditions thus becomes the standard. Experiences such as a visit to a restaurant are made possible for the whole community thanks to the barrier-free centers.

Social @ ECE Marketplaces

We not only make an important contribution in the "Environmental" area, but also in the "Social" area. We have long been using the centers we operate as social hubs with educational, awareness and health offerings as well as social campaigns, for example as part of the "Center with a Heart" campaign. We are also working on making social impact measurable.  

Centers with heart

As part of the "Centers with Heart" initiative, we are committed to social and sustainable developments and invest a seven-figure sum per year across all centers in corresponding activities and cooperations in the respective catchment areas of the shopping centers we operate. Authentic and effective commitment is particularly important to us.

Social Impact

In order to be prepared for the upcoming requirements of a social taxonomy, for which the EU published a possible structure in February 2022, we supported the initiative of the Institute for Corporate Governance (ICG) in 2022/2023 to have the European Business School (EBS) develop a proposal for a scoring model. The scoring model is the first attempt to make the social impact of real estate specifically measurable and comparable. As part of an evaluation in 2024, we tested the new scoring model using the example of several centers and are now deriving a new social impact strategy with measurable KPIs. Initial results show that malls in particular have a particularly positive social impact in many cases.