Sustainable Real estate investment According to the 2020 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction, published by the Global. Alliance for Buildings and Construction (Global ABC) and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the real estate sector consumes the largest amount of energy worldwide. It demands around 35% of the world's total consumption, and it emits the most greenhouse gases (GHGs), contributing 38% of the total. The environmental impact becomes even greater when you consider the amount of water and raw materials used. The impact can be long-term so investors should consider sustainability overall. For example, The Edge is a 430,000 square foot office building in Amsterdam, developed by OVG Real Estate. Completed in 2014, the building has achieved the highest sustainability rating ever awarded by the Building Research Establishment (BRE)-BREEAM Outstanding - and has been certified as the most sustainable office building in the world by the same organization. Considering environmental development, it uses a range of technologies to achieve this, including solar energy, a gray water system, and a thermal and cold storage system. The building has a green roof containing an herb garden and beehives to support biodiversity. As for the social dimension, the building provides amenities for employees, such as a gym, a cafe, a restaurant, and a bicycle parking area. The building also contains an application that allows employees to control the temperature and lighting in the workplace. The company has also committed to the government to make all its projects target a zero carbon plan by 2025. The Edge was developed in collaboration with Deloitte, which occupies most of the building, and the two companies worked closely together to ensure that sustainability was integrated into every aspect of the design and construction. Furthermore, according to the US Green Building Council, (USGBC), investment managers report a 19.2% ROI after remodeling and implementing green technologies in properties and a 9.9% ROI in green-certified buildings since their construction. Buildings that lack such characteristics, in some cases, may suffer a "discount." in their valuation, compared with a valuation increase of up to 10% in the buildings that do have them. Therefore, managing real estate investments is of crucial importance, from a financial perspective. Questions 1. How does The Edge design support sustainable development performance? How would you adapt sustainable real estate practices to address Qatar's harsh desert climate, particularly in terms of energy efficiency and water conservation? 2. What are the advantages of incorporating sustainability into the design and construction process of a building? What regulatory frameworks and policies in Qatar would need to be considered when implementing its sustainable practices? How might these frameworks affect the company's approach? 3. How can real estate investors and developers ensure that sustainability is integrated into their government structures and decision-making processes? How can Qatar ensure that its sustainable real estate projects benefit the local community? How might these projects contribute to social development in the region? 4. What are the financial advantages of investing in sustainable real estate? How can sustainable real estate ensure that its sustainable real estate projects in Qatar are financially viable? What strategies could the company use to balance sustainability with profitability? 5. How important is stakeholder engagement in sustainable real estate projects in Qatar? How can the company effectively engage with stakeholders to maximize positive impact? 6. How does Qatar ensure that its sustainable real estate projects are sustainable in the long term, considering factors such as maintenance, durability, and adaptability?