About the ULI Sustainability Outlook

ULI is eager to keep our members abreast of the topics and issues on the rise in sustainable real estate. The annual Sustainability Outlook aims to inform members and the broader real estate industry on what sustainability topics and issues are on the rise for the year ahead.

ULI Global Sustainability Outlook 2024

In late 2023, the ULI Randall Lewis Center for Sustainability in Real Estate interviewed members of the ULI Americas Sustainable Development Council, ULI Asia Pacific Net Zero Council, and ULI Europe Sustainability Council to inform an “outlook” for 2024: What sustainability topics and issues are on the rise, why do they matter, and what actions should the industry pursue moving forward? Based on the knowledge shared by these experts, the Center, in collaboration with Ferguson Partners identified five issues that will shape real estate decision-making in the months ahead and beyond:

1. Linking sustainability performance and financial performance
2. Going back to basics to advance decarbonization
3. Complying with an evolving regulatory landscape
4. Prioritizing resilience as extreme weather intensifies
5. Approaching sustainability holistically

A ULI global webinar was held alongside the release of the report on January 10, 2024.

Past Reports

ULI Global Sustainability Outlook 2023

Top 5 Topics Shaping Sustainability for Real Estate in 2023

1. Adjusting ESG strategy for macro-economic complications
2. Embedding transition risk in transactions & valuations
3. Harnessing the power of collaboration
4. Addressing global flood challenges
5. Responding to government influence

The report’s accompanying webinar held on January 11, 2023 featured a dynamic discussion with three member experts who contributed to the report including, Katie Blum (East West Partners), Daniel Chang (Hines Europe), Sonia Khanna (Forbright Bank), and moderated by Sarah Cullins Nezamis (Ferguson Partners). Watch the webinar recording to hear their thoughts on sustainability issues in 2023.

ULI Global Sustainability Outlook 2022

Top 5 Topics Shaping Sustainability for Real Estate in 2022

1. Advancing the net zero agenda
2. Navigating the reporting and measurement landscape
3. Confronting climate risk
4. Prioritizing existing buildings
5. Focusing on building materials

The report’s accompanying webinar held on January 12, 2022 featured a dynamic discussion with three member experts who contributed to the report including, Julie Hiromoto (HKS, Inc.), JP Flaherty (Tishman Speyer), and Derek Wilson (TfL Commercial Development), and moderated by Marta Schantz (ULI Greenprint Center for Building Performance). Watch the webinar recording to hear what they have to say about where real estate is headed in terms of sustainability and how the industry can emerge as a leader in climate action.

ULI Sustainability Outlook 2021

Top 10 Topics Shaping Sustainability for Real Estate in 2021

1. Real estate’s increasing role in advancing sustainability throughout the market
2. Increased appetite for ESG investing
3. Heightened emphasis on health and social equity
4. A baseline expectation for energy efficiency in real estate
5. Tenants driving sustainability innovation
6. Emissions reductions through embodied carbon of building construction materials
7. Increasingly grid-interactive buildings
8. Resilience and climate risk as a priority for investments
9. Water as a resource to be conserved and leveraged
10. Waste reduction over a building’s life cycle