“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.” (Vince Lombardi)

While ESG is ever evolving, we should not be afraid for the highest standards, even if we know we will only accomplish some of it. In the 9th episode of the series, Sabine Wieduwilt interviews Tom Dalton, who co-authored the chapters "Investment and ESG" and "Management agreements" of the book “Implementing ESG into Real Estate Contracts”. In the interview, Tom Dalton shares insights about the evolution of the Irish real estate market and the importance of focused due diligence. He then dives into explaining how focused due diligence impacts the ongoing asset management process(?). Tom also speaks about how to achieve alignment between the parties in asset management agreement as it relates to ESG and other matters.

About our guest

Tom Dalton is a partner in Real Estate in Dentons’ Dublin office. He advises on commercial real estate matters generally, including on acquisitions, disposals, lettings, and acquisition and development financing of offices, logistic parks, data centers, mixed-use developments, hotels, wind farms, solar farms and multi-family properties. Tom is highly experienced in advising high-profile clients across several other sectors, including banking, tech and energy.

Where is the logistics real estate market heading? “As always, the all-decisive factor is money.” In the 8th episode of the series, Sabine Wieduwilt interviews Peter Salostowitz, author of “Logistics – ESG – location – infrastructure – adapted buildings,” which is a chapter in Implementing ESG into Real Estate Contracts. Needless to say, Peter is an expert valuator for logistics real estate. In this interview, Peter reveals what led him to switch from office buildings to logistics real estate, how he set up his own company and how he approaches the valuation process. He takes a critical view of ESG: “I assume we are heading towards the end of ESG, but as the EU, we will first go full throttle again.”

“Well, I think it must be common sense that ESG is a goal that can only be achieved. ...” In the 7th episode of the series, Sabine Wieduwilt interviews Jan Hellner, author of the chapters “Hotel” and “Student Accommodation” for the book Implementing ESG into Real Estate Contracts.” Jan shares his journey into the hospitality industry and discusses key trends in hospitality, and how ESG is impacting development, investment and operations across the sector. “And I even think the importance of ESG goes beyond just the law and the contract; rather, it affects the success of society in general. So, we must all come to a more ESG-compliant way of life … and make real estate assets and student accommodation more ESG compliant. It’s just a small piece in this big puzzle.”

Nowadays, a real estate project that doesn’t somehow include renewables is unthinkable. Essential in this is getting the contract structure right. In the 6th episode of our series, Sabine Wieduwilt interviews Jan Jakob Peelen, author of the chapter “Energy and renewables” of the book Implementing ESG into Real Estate Contracts. In the interview, Jan Jakob shares how he became an energy and environmental specialist. He then offers his insights on the different types of energy and renewables projects and how they can impact real estate.

How do you best resolve a complicated project? Maybe it’s as simple as to “step a little bit outside of your comfort zone and find out what lies there” and, most importantly, to “listen to our children.” In this fifth episode, we get to know Piotr and his views on ESG—specifically how to incorporate it into data centers and construction/planning. Piotr shares with us what led him to becoming a real estate and construction lawyer, and how he approaches development projects and data centers in particular. He shares his experience on how the industry has been evolving, especially how ESG requirements are part of this process. “I think that the biggest challenge is understanding the zero emission target—that we can prepare the buildings we are building today to be carbon neutral in the future, as well as understanding what technological and organizational steps can be taken now with respect to both future and existing buildings.”

Brownfield developments may be a more difficult development at first sight—so, is there an alternative to tackling these challenges when we look at the broader picture? Perhaps “… we need to change our process of thinking, and that is something we are still not yet doing.” In this fourth episode, we get to know Raphael and his views on ESG and specifically, brownfield development. Raphael shares with us why he finds his role in shaping brownfield developments such a good fit and what is important to consider for brownfield developments. He discusses current and upcoming projects of the German Brownfield Association and of other market participants. He adds that brownfield development is not a topic for one country alone, but a global topic. … “You need to see the chances that these kind of locations have for not only—let’s say, industry, but also for housing, and that makes it so interesting, because they always have—or most likely have—good locations. And there are so many things you can make out of these locations.”

It is almost impossible to talk about ESG without mentioning the importance of data. Christel Dumont authored the chapter "How to deal with data?" in the book "Implementing ESG into Real Estate Contracts". In this third episode, we get to know Christel and her views on ESG, real estate and data.

“ESG will play a key role in investment and asset management. Companies have their own ESG targets or targets from different regulations. So you can't not think about ESG when it comes to investing”. In the second episode of the series, Sabine Wieduwilt interviews Björn Pfeiffer, who co-authored the chapters "Investment and ESG" and "Management agreements" of the book “Implementing ESG into Real Estate Contracts”.

In the first episode of the series, Sabine Wieduwilt interviews Dr. Bertold Bär-Bouyssière, a partner in Dentons Competition and Antitrust practice in Brussels, who authored the chapter on “Sustainability and competition law in real estate contracts” in the book “Implementing ESG into Real Estate Contracts”. In the interview, Bertold shares with us his personal journey as a competition lawyer and what inspires him. He gives us some insights on competition law and his view on ESG in the field.