At the ESG Talk organized by the Real Estate Management Study Programs at FHWien der WKW, leading representatives of the real estate and finance industries discussed how sustainability can be established as a key decision-making criterion. The third event of its kind showed that ESG factors (environmental, social, governance) are no longer considered a trend, but rather a fundamental principle that shapes all areas of business.
After brief presentations, Gerald Beck from the Federal Real Estate Company, Klemens Braunisch from FHWien der WKW, Peter Engert from ÖGNI, Harald Kröger from RBI, and Raphael Lughammer from the LZH Group met for a panel discussion. In addition to the challenges (extensive bureaucracy and documentation requirements), the discussion focused primarily on the enormous opportunities offered by the consistent integration of sustainability principles.
Sustainability as a key factor
The discussions made it clear that sustainability in real estate projects must be considered comprehensively—from planning and construction to financing and operation. In addition to environmental responsibility, social and economic factors are also key considerations. Financial institutions such as Raiffeisen Bank International presented new models of ESG investing that combine environmental resilience and economic efficiency.
Decarbonization and Innovation in Construction
Another focus was on decarbonizing the real estate industry. Approaches such as modular construction were highlighted as forward-looking ways to conserve resources and make construction processes more efficient. It was also emphasized that sustainable solutions can only achieve their full potential through strategic planning and scaling.
Students as Drivers of Change
The younger generation plays a special role. As Klemens Braunisch, Head of Real Estate Study Programs at FHWien der WKW, emphasized, sustainability has long been firmly anchored in education:
“Our program is increasingly focused on sustainability, and as we have seen today, we are on the right track. This is because many concepts and areas of the real estate industry will eventually meet ESG. Through their studies here, students learn even more about how crucial this area is for the future.”
This academic and analytical approach is in high demand among companies, as it helps to promote sustainable thinking at an early stage and ensures that it is later applied as a matter of course in practice.
Green building standards and failure culture
The implementation of green building standards requires not only technical innovations but also a new failure culture. Only through continuous learning and open exchange between experts from different disciplines can solutions be developed that are both ecologically and economically viable.
The 3rd ESG Talk at FHWien der WKW made it clear that the real estate industry in Austria is actively driving forward this transformation. The event highlighted not only the challenges but, above all, the opportunities arising from the consistent integration of ESG criteria. It provided valuable insights into how sustainable real estate development can become the basis for future market and investment decisions.
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