Finnish real estate owner Antilooppi claims to be at the forefront of sustainability and determined to promote carbon-neutral construction and use of properties through tangible sustainability action. The company’s unique flexible space concept POOL is now carbon neutral in energy use, construction and operations. This makes the company the first to introduce a carbon-neutral workspace network to the Finnish market and a forerunner also on the European scale.
The carbon-neutral space concept is a significant step forward in sustainability, says the company, not only for itself but also for the real estate sector. The company is aiming for a carbon-neutral real estate portfolio by 2030.
“Tackling climate change and achieving carbon neutrality are key priorities in our sustainability strategy and business. The carbon-neutral POOL solution is yet another important step towards our sustainability goals. Through our actions, we want to support our customers’ sustainability and spur the entire real estate sector towards a greener future. Our long-term work continues together with our customers, partners and other stakeholders,” says head of sustainability Hannamari Koivula.
The company’s portfolio currently includes 35 properties in office and retail, with a total value of 1,4 billion euros and rental space up to 430 000 square meters.
In POOL, the climate impacts of workspaces and services have been considered down to the smallest detail. The energy consumed in POOL spaces has zero carbon footprint, as they use exclusively renewable electricity, heating and cooling. Part of the electricity is from Antilooppi’s own solar power stations, while the rest is 100% Finnish wind power. Heating and cooling are also sourced from renewable sources. The premises are constantly becoming more self-sufficient in energy as Antilooppi steps up its solar power production.
Special attention has been paid to environmental impacts during the lifecycle of POOL spaces, as construction and materials are not yet completely emission-free. The premises are designed to be as functional and durable as possible, using high-quality and low-carbon materials. Carbon neutrality extends from the energy consumed to the construction of the interiors and the products and services used on the premises.
When it comes to emissions that cannot be reduced, Antilooppi plays its part, offsetting the emissions caused by running POOL spaces in cooperation with the carbon sequestering company Compensate Operations. Antilooppi reports on emission offsets as transparently as possible, with the aim of annually reducing the share of offset emissions through emission reduction measures.
The emissions caused by alterations made to spaces have been offset since the start of 2022, and the emissions generated by use of the spaces have been offset since the start of 2023. From here on in, the company will report annually on the emissions caused by running pool and the associated offsets.
The concept has other sustainability priorities in addition to carbon neutrality: wellbeing, sustainable design, the circular economy and accessibility. Workspaces have excellent public transport links and their shared bikes, ample bike parks and charging points for e-cars and e-bikes encourage sustainable transport, such as on commutes. The circular economy, in turn, is reflected in first-class recycling and prioritisation of recyclable solutions.
In 2022, Antilooppi launched the concept in four locations in Helsinki Metropolitan Area, in all of which the low carbon emissions have been considered from the very beginning, and the carbon footprints of alterations have been calculated and certified. Antilooppi also plans to certify all of its properties with LEED or BREEAM certification by summer 2023. By offering a comprehensively sustainable and carbon-neutral premises network, Antilooppi responds to customers’ growing expectations of sustainable workspaces that support wellbeing.
