What is your role as Sustainability Officer at AM ALPHA, and what topics are currently in focus?
Chiara Künzle: As a Sustainability Officer, I am responsible for promoting and embedding the topic of sustainability in all its facets across all business areas of AM ALPHA.
A key element of our strategy at the property level is the "Manage to Green" principle, where we continuously monitor and improve our properties to reduce CO₂ emissions across their entire lifecycle. This approach ideally complements our long-standing and successful "Manage to Core" strategy by combining environmental responsibility with value enhancement.
Particularly in times of stricter regulatory requirements and a greater societal focus on climate protection, such an approach becomes both a competitive advantage and a necessity for long-term successful real estate investments. A great example is our "200 Broomielaw" project in Glasgow, originally built in 2004. We improved the EPC rating from D to A by upgrading the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems and implementing LED lighting, demonstrating how targeted actions can drive sustainability in the real estate industry.
Since May 2022, we have also been a ClimatePartner-certified business at a corporate level.
How does AM ALPHA ensure ESG principles are embedded in all projects?
Chiara Künzle: We take a holistic approach, integrating AM ALPHA's sustainability strategy as an essential part of our corporate strategy.
As early as the due diligence phase, we thoroughly assess potential investments, evaluating both sustainability risks and opportunities. We ensure compliance with our sustainability targets throughout the project lifecycle through regular audits. These targets include reducing CO₂ emissions, increasing energy efficiency, and conserving resources. Using a data-driven monitoring system, we analyse our properties' performance and identify areas for improvement.
What motivates you most about your work at AM ALPHA, and how does sustainability shape the company's culture?
Chiara Künzle: As a globally active investment manager, we are responsible for holistically integrating environmental, social, and economic aspects to create long-term value for our investors as well as for society. After all, real estate accounts for a substantial share of global CO₂ emissions, giving us considerable leverage in driving change. Every day, I witness how my work directly impacts our projects, our investors, and, most importantly, society and the environment.
