Setting the pace, within 1.5°C
We’re ready for a revolution
We’ve spent almost 30 years pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with innovative, sustainable buildings.
Still, 34% of global emissions come from buildings and construction (1), making it clear that the real estate industry needs a complete revolution. Not in 2050. But today.
We are proud to have set out our decarbonisation roadmap, a journey we set out on in 2022 and in which we continue to make steady progress. Not just for the company, but for every single building we develop and redevelop going forward.
As we advance our strategic investment approach, we remain focused on the fund and asset management business in line with the objective of decarbonisation and supporting our stakeholders in their carbon ambitions.
Setting the pace, within 1.5°C
It's an ambitious goal. And every step of the journey will be crucial. That's why we've set important milestones to help us on our way, and to do our share to limit global warming to 1.5°C .
01.2022
Company level
We officially set 1.5°C aligned science‑based targets to stay accountable to our commitments, including a carbon emission inventory and an aligned reduction programme for our company operations.
EDGE projects
To ensure alignment with our climate goals, we require all development and refurbishment projects to follow 1.5°C aligned national best-practice decarbonisation targets (2).
02.2030
Company Level
The carbon emissions associated with our operations (scope 1 and 2) will be reduced by at least 46% compared to our 2019 baseline (3) in line with our commitment at the Science Based Targets initiative.
EDGE Projects
All projects delivered as of 2030 aim to be within the respective 1.5°C aligned national best-practice targets.
03.2050
Company Level
We aim for our operations to result in absolute zero emissions.
EDGE Projects
We aim for our entire supply chain to emit absolute zero carbon during the building production, construction and operation, which would mean that all EDGE buildings emit zero carbon.
Where do we start?
To reach our project goals set for 2030 and 2050 we focus on continuously reducing all carbon emissions across each building’s entire lifecycle.
We do this through the Edge Design Brief and the Edge Decarbonisation Framework, which include both embodied and operational carbon reduction measures and targets. While today, offsetting of emissions is an option, we have made it a priority to lead the way for change within our industry and achieve zero emissions.
The Framework concentrates efforts on optimising building design for high-performing, low-impact buildings. As we believe that a building’s impact does not end at delivery, we also focus on operations and ensuring that the Edge’s approach to building operations is fully considered.
Embodied carbon
Embodied carbon is the term for emissions that arise from producing, procuring, and installing materials and components that make up a building. It also includes emissions from maintenance, repair, replacement and ultimately demolition and disposal of the materials throughout the building’s lifecycle.
In the EU, approximately 60–70% of a building’s embodied carbon is generated during the product and construction stages of the building life cycle, also known as upfront embodied carbon. Our own portfolio assessments reflect this same pattern, highlighting the critical importance of minimising upfront embodied carbon, where we have the greatest opportunity to drive change.
Edge focuses on the emissions generated up to practical completion of an Edge building. As part of our decarbonisation pathway, these emissions will be reduced as quickly as possible through detailed carbon modelling and optioneering, innovative design solutions. and the use of lower carbon materials such as low carbon concrete and steel, as well as natural construction materials like timber.
Operational carbon
Operational carbon is the term for carbon emissions associated with the energy use arising from the running of the building over the course of its lifecycle. Edge buildings strive to reduce the energy consumption to a level where a fully decarbonised grid can meet 100% of the energy demand. Each building aims to reduce the energy use as much as possible through efficient design and efficient systems. Additionally, our buildings will generate as much renewable energy as possible on-site. This is the route to zero operational emissions.
On a sustainability mission for years
We believe in a holistic approach to limit resource use and global warming and to mitigate climate risks. Our approach involves the design and construction of ultra-efficient, all-electric buildings, powered as much as possible with on-site renewable electricity, and reducing, reusing and recycling materials to cut the embodied carbon emissions to a minimum.
Our projects are widely recognised (and awarded) for their sustainable features and innovations – from timber construction, renewable energy and underground heat storage - to the cutting-edge smart sensor technology that allows our buildings to optimise for health and sustainability. With every development and refurbishment, we seek to push the boundaries, exploring new technologies and materials, and striving to create better, healthier and more sustainable buildings.
We’re incredibly proud of what we do. But we want to do more.
Science Based Target initiative
We’re proud to be backed by the Science Based Target initiative. We’ve set a 1.5°C aligned emission reduction target, in line with the Paris Climate Agreement.
Through the implementation of a carbon emission reduction programme for all our business operations (Scope 1 and 2) we support our transition into a low-carbon economy while remaining accountable next to thousands of other organisations who have committed to a science-based target with the SBTi.
Compensating today, to reach Zero in 2050
How to we measure against our 1.5°C project targets?
Our Edge Decarbonisation Framework serves as an overall strategy that guides all EDGE projects across the globe. This framework determines how the embodied and operational carbon emissions of all development and refurbishment projects should be measured, managed, and reduced.
1,5°C aligned national best-practice targets
Netherlands: Projects in the Netherlands should align with the DGBC Paris Proof methodology and targets (4) for both operational energy and embodied carbon.
Germany: Projects in Germany should align with the CRREM methodology and targets for operational energy and carbon. For embodied carbon, projects should follow the methodology used by the DGNB and aim to achieve the targets of the DGNB Benchmark study (5).
United Kingdom: Projects should align with the UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard methodology and targets (6) for both operational energy and embodied carbon.
Global carbon accounting
As the targets, methodologies and scopes for calculating embodied and operational carbon emissions vary across countries, Edge translates the national calculation methods into an international calculation methodology aligned with the EU Level(s) framework for embodied carbon and CRREM for operational carbon.
This approach enables consistent global carbon reporting for our Scope 3 emissions, as well as portfolio-wide benchmarking and comparison in our international carbon database.