Allee’s operations are exemplary in terms of sustainability at a global level

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is one of the best-known and most widely used sustainability rating systems in the world. Its aim is to evaluate the environmental performance of buildings based on objective metrics. BREEAM In-Use specifically examines the operation of existing buildings, so the results achieved directly reflect the daily practice of the given property. Allee achieved Outstanding in the Management Performance category and Excellent in the Asset Performance category.  “Sustainable property management today goes far beyond the introduction of “green technologies”. The essence of the modern approach is complex thinking: assessing risks, optimizing energy and water use, actively involving tenants, and integrating environmental and social aspects. At Allee, we have a consistently implemented and continuously reviewed sustainability strategy. This result clearly shows how important our investments in sustainability and continuous developments have been to our operations,” emphasized Dávid Tuska, Technical Manager of Allee Center.

The significance of the Outstanding and Excellent ratings awarded to Allee goes beyond obtaining them. According to Gábor Szarvas, Managing Director of Greenbors Consulting, which supported the acquisition of the rating as a consultant, the building will prove that investing in sustainability results in increased business value in the real estate market. “In addition, Allee brings Hungary and the European Union, in a broader sense, closer to fulfilling the zero emission guidelines. It is a great pleasure to see how the elements of the previously jointly laid sustainability strategy come true. Everything has been done to make this project a benchmark and an example to follow for real estate market players,” added Szarvas.

The Outstanding rating achieved in the Allee Management Performance category The rating is unique among Hungarian shopping centers. This category examines the details of the operating models: how the facility operates – how energy-efficient, forward-looking in the field of sustainability, how it manages risks, what kind of relationship it has with tenants and how it integrates an environmentally conscious approach into its daily practice. In the case of Allee, the experts particularly appreciated the “green” lease agreements, which also formulate energy and water efficiency recommendations, waste reduction goals and sustainable procurement expectations. The shopping center follows a detailed environmental strategy and helps its tenants to adapt their own processes to it. This includes energy management, optimization of material use and continuous monitoring of water consumption. Allee has previously installed a solar panel system, which, in addition to expanding the use of renewable energy, has contributed to the continuous reduction of the building’s electricity and district heating consumption in recent years. The shopping center conducts an annual energy audit and operates an internal reporting system on energy and water use. Its building automation system is a climate tracker, which regulates the building’s energy use based on meteorological forecasts and real-time external data. During the certification, special points were awarded for the assessment of environmental risks arising from climate change and the strategy aimed at replacing refrigerants used in air conditioning systems with alternatives with lower environmental impact. The waste management plan is based on the principles and targets of the waste hierarchy, with strict data collection involving tenants. Regular tenant satisfaction surveys and a detailed indoor air quality management plan that takes into account the environmental and health impact of every process, from daily cleaning to renovation work, also played a significant role in the rating.