Tuesday, 10 March 2026
The market for sustainability, health and accessibility certifications in real estate remained active in 2025, despite regulatory adjustments in Europe related to sustainability reporting. According to an annual report by Colliers, more than 180 green certifications, including BREEAM and LEED, and over 70 certifications focused on health and accessibility, such as WELL Health-Safety and Access4you, were awarded last year for projects covering approximately 4.6 million square metres of space. Colliers participated in more than one third of these certification processes.
Data compiled by the consultancy shows that 168 BREEAM certifications and 13 LEED certifications were granted during the year, alongside 52 WELL certifications and 23 Access4you certifications. The results indicate continued demand in the real estate sector for internationally recognised sustainability and performance standards.
Office buildings represented the largest share of certified assets, accounting for 107 certifications. Retail properties followed with 81 certifications, while industrial and logistics developments received 59. A smaller number of certifications were awarded to other types of real estate projects.
Sustainability certifications are increasingly considered an important factor in real estate financing and transactions. Lenders are paying closer attention to indicators such as energy consumption and carbon emissions, while investors and developers are integrating sustainability targets into long-term asset strategies. Roxana Isopescu, Director of Sustainability Services at Colliers, said the market has matured, with greater emphasis on measurable performance rather than formal compliance alone.
Another development noted in 2025 was the increase in projects achieving the highest certification levels, including LEED Platinum and BREEAM Outstanding. More than 20 buildings reached these standards during the year, a figure more than twice the average recorded several years earlier. According to Colliers, this reflects a broader trend toward higher construction and operational standards in new developments, as well as ongoing investment in improving existing buildings.
Office properties accounted for more than 40 percent of all certifications, reflecting the growing role of sustainability standards in tenant attraction and operational efficiency. Retail assets represented over 30 percent of certifications, often across multiple projects within the same portfolio. In the industrial and logistics sector, developers frequently apply standardised development models, which can simplify compliance with requirements related to energy efficiency and emissions reduction.
Several large property owners continued to pursue certifications or recertifications across their portfolios during the year. CTP completed nearly 40 certifications, Globalworth recorded 36, and AFI Europe obtained 17 certifications, mainly in the office sector. In retail, Penny certified 45 projects, making it one of the most active investors in this area.
Although certain sustainability reporting requirements were eased at the European level for some companies, the real estate sector continues to view green certifications as important to maintaining the long-term value and marketability of buildings. Energy performance and resource efficiency are increasingly examined during refinancing processes, while new projects are being evaluated from the design stage with sustainability targets in mind.
Oana Stamatin, ESG Chief Officer at Colliers, noted that the market is moving from general discussions about sustainability to practical measures integrated into investment and operational strategies. She added that certifications such as WELL Health-Safety and Access4you are regularly renewed by major property owners, reflecting a growing focus on building quality, occupant health and accessibility. Rising energy costs and stricter requirements from lenders and tenants are also increasing pressure on owners to improve environmental performance.
Looking ahead, Colliers expects certification activity to remain steady, with growing attention on upgrading existing buildings and maintaining certification standards through periodic recertification. The consultancy notes that a large share of today’s buildings will still be in use in 2050, making the modernisation of existing assets an important part of the sustainability transition.
