Key takeaways

• ESG isn’t optional. Regulations such as EPBD, CSRD, SFDR, and GACS make compliance mandatory.
• Start with visibility. Measure energy, emissions, and indoor climate so you know where you stand.
• Set realistic goals. Think about energy reduction, better energy labels, and higher tenant satisfaction.
• Use software to automate monitoring and reporting to save time and reduce errors.
• Engage tenants and investors, because they demand transparency and sustainable performance.
• A smart ESG approach cuts costs, boosts asset value, and reduces risk. Healthy Workers helps you meet regulations and lower energy costs through intelligent optimizations.

Why ESG matters in real estate

The EU is pushing the sector to become greener. For building owners that means: meet the rules and create value. Let's have a look at the stakeholders involved in ESG for real estate.

• Energy performance & labels: in the Netherlands, offices must be at least label C since 2023; label A can cut operating costs by up to 30% and raises market value.
• Technology & compliance: building automation and IoT technology are important, enabling real-time monitoring of energy use, indoor air quality, and water consumption, ensuring compliance while identifying optimization opportunities.
• Market & tenants: investors reward ESG-performing assets; tenants expect healthy workplaces, or they go elsewhere.‍
• Occupant well-being: better indoor climate increases productivity and lowers absenteeism (e.g., WELL buildings report ~10% productivity gains and ~15% fewer sick days).

The bottom line is that ESG isn’t a checkbox; it’s how you win tenants, investors, and long-term value.

Now you know why ESG actually matters, even though it might not be top of mind. Let's have a look at the exact regulations you need to take into account.

Breaking down EU real estate ESG regulations

What’s mandatory and what’s “nice to have”? Here’s the core EU package driving decarbonization and transparency:

EPBD (Energy Performance of Buildings Directive)

The EPBD is a mandatory regulation requiring stricter energy performance for both new builds and renovations. It includes nearly zero-energy building (NZEB) standards and tighter energy labels, with the aim of a fully decarbonized EU building stock by 2050. Smart energy management systems make meeting EPBD targets more efficient and cost-effective.

SFDR (Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation)

The SFDR obliges investors and fund managers to disclose sustainability data, including carbon footprints and energy performance. For real estate, this means systematically tracking ESG data and publishing it for compliance and to attract ESG-focused capital.

Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)

The CSRD replaces the NFRD and expands ESG reporting obligations for large organizations, including real estate firms. It requires detailed reporting on energy use, emissions, and social impact, putting centralized data management at the core of compliance.

EU Green Deal & Paris Agreement

The EU Green Deal is at the heart of Europe’s climate strategy, aiming to transition to climate neutrality by 2050 and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. This ambitious plan directly impacts the real estate sector, which accounts for approximately 40% of energy consumption and 36% of CO2 emissions in Europe.

Bridging the gap won’t be easy, there’s an estimated annual investment shortfall of €177 billion, totaling €1.77 trillion by 2030, with 74% of this gap tied to energy efficiency in buildings. Action needs to be taken now to lower these numbers to lower these numbers as soon as possible.

Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)

While voluntary, TCFD is widely adopted by leading real estate firms. It provides a framework to identify and manage climate-related financial risks, such as higher energy costs or extreme weather, and helps build trust with investors and stakeholders.

Dutch regulations and frameworks for real estate

Alongside EU rules, the Netherlands has additional requirements and commonly used frameworks:

GACS (Gebouwen Automatisering en Control Systemen)

From January 1, 2026, large offices and logistics buildings must automate system monitoring and optimization. GACS ensures continuous compliance and prevents unnecessary energy waste.

WEii (Werkelijke Energie-intensiteit indicator)

The WEii measures the actual energy use of a building, rather than theoretical performance. It provides a more accurate benchmark for tenants and investors assessing building efficiency.

EML (Erkende Maatregelenlijst energiebesparing)

The EML requires building owners to implement all energy-saving measures that pay back within a reasonable period. Dutch authorities, such as RVO, actively enforce compliance with this list.

DGBC & BREEAM

Certifications from the Dutch Green Building Council (DGBC), such as BREEAM, aren't mandatory but often influence investment decisions and tenders. A strong score enhances asset value and attractiveness.

CREMM (Carbon Risk Real Estate Monitor)

CREMM helps investors and building owners determine whether assets are “Paris Proof” and identify potential stranding risks, ensuring long-term value preservation.

GRESB

GRESB is the international ESG benchmark widely used by institutional investors. For Dutch owners with global capital, GRESB scores are increasingly a prerequisite for attracting and retaining investment.

How to simplify ESG compliance

Now you know what rules and regulations are important for real estate, the question remains. How to comply? The good news is that it doesn’t have to be a headache thanks to the right tools. 

Automated data platforms

Centralized data dashboards bring together energy, water, and emissions data in one place. This eliminates the need for spreadsheets, reduces manual work, and provides a clear view of performance across your portfolio.

Automated reporting

Compliance reporting doesn’t have to be a burden. With automated solutions such as Healthy Workers, you can generate real-time reports aligned with EPBD, SFDR, CSRD, and also connect to WEii, CREMM, and GRESB. This saves time, minimizes errors, and ensures you’re always audit-ready.

Predictive analytics

By analyzing real-time and historical data, predictive analytics spot inefficiencies before they become costly problems. This enables proactive adjustments, lowers operational costs, and helps you stay ahead of evolving ESG requirements.

4 steps to ESG compliance in real estate

With a structured approach, you can meet regulatory requirements while also improving building performance and asset value. These four steps provide a clear roadmap.

1. Get visibility into performance

Collect and analyze data on energy, emissions, and indoor climate to see where systems underperform and where opportunities lie. Benchmark results against regulations and market standards to decide where to act first. Building optimization software, such as Healthy Workers, can automate this process.

2. Set concrete goals

Define measurable targets that align with both regulation and business strategy. Examples include reducing energy consumption by 20% within five years or reaching a 50% recycling rate across all properties. Focus on goals that also create tenant value, such as improving air quality for comfort and productivity.

3. Invest in tools and support

Choose technology that makes energy, emissions, and comfort continuously visible in a single dashboard. Ensure owners, managers, and tenants all have access to the same data and expert guidance. This creates shared responsibility and helps everyone contribute to ESG outcomes.

4. Monitor and improve continuously

Use real-time data and automated reporting to track performance on energy, emissions, and indoor climate. Share insights with stakeholders to ensure transparency. As regulations and standards evolve, stay flexible, adapting quickly to new requirements while keeping your buildings compliant and high-performing.

Meet ESG requirements while increasing asset value with Healthy Workers

Healthy Workers combines smart software with a full-service approach. We make portfolios ESG-compliant fast, lower costs, and increase value. Where others deliver reports, we actually implement improvements.

• Real-time energy & comfort insights: immediately see where systems waste and where you can save.
• Automated reporting: comply with CSRD, SFDR, EPBD, WEii, CREMM, and GRESB, without extra admin.
• Transparency for all stakeholders: share clear dashboards with tenants, managers, and investors.
• Full-service portfolio approach: we take work off your plate and keep your buildings improving.

With Healthy Workers you hit your sustainability targets faster and achieve a positive business case within a year. Curious how? Book a no-strings-attached demo and we’ll show you how we make your portfolio ESG-proof, with a positive ROI in 12 months.