Together, the signatories represent more than €60 billion in assets under management and tens of thousands of planned homes. The limits cover emissions arising from the production, transport, processing and use of materials. Globally, building materials account for 13% of CO₂ emissions and around 50% of raw material consumption.
The commitment sets out a reduction pathway to 2050, with annual reviews and adjustments. Projects exceeding the ceiling values will in principle not be eligible for acquisition. “This is a breakthrough,” says Norbert Schotte of Building Balance. “The market now has clarity: projects that fail to meet sustainability standards will no longer be developed or purchased.”
Smart, circular and biobased
Three approaches are at the core of the commitment: smarter construction (efficient material use and decarbonisation of concrete and steel), circular construction (reuse and design for disassembly), and biobased construction (using renewable materials such as timber, flax, hemp and straw). This strategy contributes to the Paris climate targets of a 55% reduction in emissions by 2030 and full climate neutrality by 2050.
The signatories include Achmea Real Estate, Amvest, Bouwinvest, CBRE IM, Eigen Haard, Vesteda and Woonstad Rotterdam. The initiative is supported by IVBN and endorsed by NEPROM. A first evaluation will take place in spring 2026, potentially extending the approach to renovation.
With this joint initiative, institutional investors and housing associations set a new standard for sustainable construction in the Netherlands.
See the Building Balance for more information.
Image: Building Balance
