“Sustainability must become a matter of course in the real estate sector”
The existing building stock has a huge impact on the environment. At the same time, there is a lack of a common understanding among those involved, says Pascal Gantenbein, head of the Sustainable Real Estate continuing education program at the University of Basel. This is exactly where the course comes in, bringing together these different professional perspectives.
19 January 2026 | Béatrice Koch
The real estate sector accounts for around one-third of global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, and this is also true in Switzerland. Given this scale, it is clear that sustainability plays an important role in the industry: “For reasons of reputation alone, institutional investors such as insurance companies or pension funds can no longer afford to invest their money in buildings that are not energy efficient,” explains Professor Pascal Gantenbein, professor of financial management in the Faculty of Business and Economics at the University of Basel.
Users are also increasingly demanding sustainable real estate. According to Gantenbein, international companies in particular require a certain energy standard and corresponding certification before moving into an office building in Switzerland. Last but not least, the industry is facing an increasing number of stricter country-specific regulations and building codes.
Nevertheless, there is still a need for education, says Gantenbein, who has been researching real estate markets for many years: “What’s missing is a common understanding among all stakeholders. Of course, an architect has different interests than a bank that is supposed to finance an energy-efficient renovation. For the real estate sector to develop sustainably, however, investors, financial institutions, project developers, architects and urban planners need to work together.”
To promote mutual understanding and connect players from different disciplines, Gantenbein, together with experts from teaching, research, and the private sector, developed the CAS Sustainable Real Estate program. The program’s second iteration will start in March (see box).
Sustainable, but also affordable
The continuing education program addresses the legal, political, and economic foundations of sustainable real estate. It integrates these with societal issues, particularly urban planning and development, and the balancing of diverse stakeholder interests.
Sustainability in the real estate sector also includes topics such as quality of living and health, as well as the choice of building materials. And ultimately, it is always about affordability: “Finding the balance between energy-efficient renovation and affordable living space is challenging and sometimes leads to conflicting goals,” says Gantenbein. “Through this program, we enable participants to implement sustainability effectively in the real estate sector, based on sound research, practical expertise, and a comprehensive understanding of ESG, regulation, and sustainable investment strategies.”
Recycling lagging behind
When it comes to sustainable real estate, there is still room for improvement in Switzerland: even though new buildings primarily rely on renewable energy in the form of heat pumps or district heating, more than half of existing residential properties in Switzerland are still heated with oil and gas.
According to Program Director Pascal Gantenbein, there is also a lot of catching up to do in reducing and recycling building materials. Anyone building a new property today should already be thinking about how the installed materials can be separated and reused as easily as possible when the building is dismantled decades later.
Given the construction industry's processes, which can take several years, it is important to plan renovation projects and the development of property portfolios early and with a long-term perspective. For example, if a company sets a goal to reduce its carbon emissions to a certain level within the next 20 years, this must be planned well in advance. “This requires well-trained staff, especially in institutional organizations, to take good care of the existing building stock.”
The holistic approach to sustainable real estate management seems to be well received by course participants: “The CAS Sustainable Real Estate gave me a comprehensive overview of all relevant aspects of sustainability in the Swiss real estate market – from the legal framework, evaluation and life cycle perspectives, to specific implementation paths,” says Beatrice Landolt, Swiss Post's Deputy CEO and Head of Portfolio Management, who completed the course last year.
Sustainability as the norm
In light of the tense global political situation, sustainability has been sidelined recently. However, Gantenbein is convinced that it is still relevant: “Resources are finite, and regulations are not going to disappear. Anyone working in the real estate market will not be able to avoid the topic of sustainability.” The program director hopes that sustainability in the real estate sector will become an “absolute matter of course” for everyone involved.
CAS Sustainable Real Estate
The continuing education program offered by the Faculty of Business and Economics at the University of Basel is aimed at professionals from the real estate industry who would like to pursue further studies in sustainability. The course of study covers economic, legal, political and social aspects. Lecturers from the university and the private sector ensure a close collaboration between research and practice.
The six-month course takes place in Basel and Zurich. The course is taught in English. The next course starts on 26 March 2026. Please visit the CAS Sustainable Real Estate website for further information, dates of online information sessions and course registration.
