Sustainable Development

AXA Real Estate has been part of a pioneering project in sustainable development applied to real estate.

Indeed from the year 2000, we integrated this aspect into the elaboration of our real estate projects and we quickly noticed that in terms of investment, sustainable development does not create obstacle, on the contrary, as far as the specific investments are measured and mastered:

- it does not dilute the expected financial return;
- it tends to reduce operating costs;
- while improving the comfort of the occupant.

Following its fast move in this aspect, AXA Real Estate was among the first in the industry to acquire the High Quality Environment (HQE) certificate, the certificate for new asset development projects in France. Our responsible investment emphasises the environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspects for the wellbeing of the community.

Prior to the industry’s launch of the French HQE certificate, AXA Real Estate has also made a concrete contribution to the AXA Group's sustainable development policy by drawing up an environmental charter with a specialized consulting firm. The Environmental Quality (EQ) charter represents an environmental frame of reference for all of AXA Real Estate's assets that are under construction or redevelopment.

Based on the French High Quality Environment standards, it covers all of the issues relating to construction projects, such as the comfort, flexibility and durability of facilities, the health of occupiers, the level of energy efficiency, the exterior, the facade, work carried out, and access for people with reduced mobility.

This charter has also been given out to the main property developers as well as representatives of the developers and property managers involved in all construction and renovation projects for residential and office properties. Specific objectives are also associated with each aspect.

AXA Real Estate also continues to be an active player in this field with a strong contribution to a number of French and international working groups:

- Member of the Property Working Group within the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI).

- The “Green rating” project in association with 4 major Real Estate players in order to develop a simple and robust rating tool focused on the existing stock and in a pan-European approach.

- Representing the AXA Group in Entreprise Pour l'Environment (EPE), an association in which AXA Group is a founding member. Within this framework, AXA Group is supporting EPE's partnership with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

- Member of the Commission de Développement Durable de la Fédération des Sociétés Immobilières et Foncières (FSIF).

AXA Real Estate has a proven record of high quality property development through various prestigious environmental certificates and awards. For instance, the development project "Meudon Campus", which was managed by AXA Real Estate, has been awarded the worldwide winner 2007 by Urban Land Institute (ULI Global Award for Excellence 2007).

Our effort is gaining in momentum through the strong increase in interest and demand from our clients towards our sustainable development programs.