Inrate’s first Engagement Report on listed Swiss real estate funds captures where the sector stands today and why engagement matters in this asset class. Through in-depth dialogue with five funds, the report shows strong openness at management level, particularly on climate. At the same time, it highlights clear gaps where long-term stewardship remains essential.
Key Takeaways
- Open to engagement, uneven maturity: All funds were open to dialogue – despite engagement being a new experience for many – but sustainability maturity varies widely across topics.
- Climate is anchored; Scope 3 remains challenging: Climate governance is largely in place, while Scope 3 emissions, especially embodied carbon, remain difficult to assess.
- Resources and biodiversity lag behind: Circularity, biodiversity, land use and tenant-related resource use show great need for progress.
- Mixed picture on quality of life: Good public transport access contrasts with limited action on housing affordability and tenant satisfaction.
- A clear starting point: 2025 establishes the baseline for measuring progress, turning engagement into accountability over time.
This first cycle confirms one thing: targeted, long-term engagement is key to improving sustainability outcomes and resilience in Swiss real estate portfolios.
Contributor
Glen Boschi
Head of Engagement
