The Impact of building certificates in regard to the implementation of relevant SDGs using the example of Austrian office buildings

Abstract

In light of this years ́ 30th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the world still faces a critical decade for climate action. Therefore, the Conference of the Parties (COP 27) deliberated on further initiatives to cut global emissions. (UN, 2022) Given the complexity where threats of climate change equally affect the “welfare, prosperity and integrity of people and the planet”, COP27 promoted the 2030 Agenda once more. (EN, 2021, p. 3) Therefore, the thesis at hand focuses on interlinkages and interdependencies of relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), providing particular reference to the Austrian real estate sector. Hence, the compliance of two selected building certificates, ÖNGI and WELL, are elaborated, presenting their added value for all parties involved. In this regard, building certificates not only provide performance indicators (PIs) of a building’s operation but also benefit the corporates’ identity by highlight additional effort of businesses and developers. However, the ME310 prototype demonstrated once more that merely technical solutions do not achieve-long term sustainability if tenant ́s intentions regarding sustainability have not been changed. (Biggio & Cortese, 2013) Discussing therefore the attitude-behavior gap, the contribution of green leases is also raised. Yet, the implementation of the 17 SDGs not only requires horizontal demand, but also vertical legislation. (Frantz, 2016) Therefore, the thesis finally considers Austrian legislation and European policy revisions by discussing ESG alignment of the theoretical comparison of GBS and the 2030 Agenda.