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.
"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."
Joanna Fisher, CEO ECE Marketplaces
100%
Use of green electricity in German centers
>6.200
Green lease contracts
86
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
Reducing energy consumption during ongoing center operations plays an important role on the road to climate neutrality. However, only those who know the consumption of a property can determine whether the measures taken to reduce consumption are working or whether and where further reductions are needed. As part of its energy and environmental management system (EUMS), ECE has therefore digitized 20,000 meters in all of the German centers it operates in order to digitally record energy consumption. This means that current data can be compared with data from previous periods (from 2018), savings can be verified and measures can be readjusted. Thanks to the revised green lease agreements in 2023, tenants will also disclose their consumption data so that the entire center carbon footprint can be recorded in future.
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.
Green Lease
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 86 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 using the areas sensibly for more sustainability - whether for planting, setting up beehives or providing garden boxes for consumers, as in Skyline Plaza in Frankfurt under the motto "Skyline Gardening". Green roofs offer many ecological advantages:
- Improvement of the microclimate: green roofs cool the surrounding air through evaporation and help to reduce the "urban heat island" effect.
- Promoting biodiversity: they provide a habitat for insects, birds and plants - especially in densely built-up urban areas.
- Air pollution control: Plants on roofs filter fine dust and pollutants from the air.
- Rainwater retention: Green roofs store rainwater and thus relieve the burden on the sewage system during heavy rainfall events.
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
ECE shopping centers are much more than just shopping venues - we have developed them into social community hubs where the focus is on people as visitors. As public, multifunctional spaces, social community hubs combine various uses, offers and functions such as supply, exchange and experience for visitors. This creates lively places that offer sustainable added value for all users and the entire neighborhood and help to strengthen and enrich the local community. This also includes making the centers available as supply hubs and points of contact for local people in public emergencies and crisis situations.
With our specially developed social impact strategy with measurable targets, we ensure that the measures we take are effective. At the same time, we support ownership in meeting increasing ESG requirements, for example in the context of certifications or in the case of an emerging social taxonomy.
Based on the scoring model of the Institute for Corporate Governance (ICG), which we tested as part of an evaluation of the Alstertal Mall, and based on criteria from other systems, we have developed targets for different categories that are continuously reviewed and further developed.