The Future Is Green

As the real estate industry evolves, sustainability continues to be recognized as a key consideration shaping investment strategies, tenant expectations and development practices. From carbon-neutral construction to community solar, the sector is embracing innovative solutions that promise both environmental and economic returns.

Here are three sustainability trends shaping the real estate industry in 2025.

Community Solar: Expanding Access to Renewable Energy

One of the most impactful trends is the rise of community solar programs, where a building’s solar installation can extend renewable energy access to businesses and residents who might not be able to install solar themselves due to factors like limited rooftop space, shading, outdated electrical systems or high costs. In the last decade, community solar in the U.S. has grown about 80% annually and is projected to double from 2023 to 2028 to 14 GW (CBRE).

This energy is usually sold at a slight discount to local subscribers, creating value in the community. Beyond financial returns, community solar improves grid resilience and reliability while decreasing dependence on fossil fuels. It also gives utility providers a way of locating power generation near their load centers and offtakers. Instead of buying power from a power plant that’s miles away and building transmission lines to the building, community solar locates power generation where people live.

W. P. Carey is actively advancing community solar applications in several states.

Carbon-Neutral Construction: Building with Purpose

The construction phase of a building’s lifecycle presents a critical opportunity to reduce emissions. Investors and developers are increasingly conducting life-cycle carbon assessments and integrating carbon-neutral design standards into new builds and redevelopments. By engaging sustainability consultants early in the process and selecting materials with reduced embodied carbon, firms are minimizing environmental impact while enhancing long-term asset value. Industry wide, the low-carbon building market is projected to grow from about $655 billion in 2024 to nearly $1.6 trillion by 2034 – a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.8% (Zion Market Research).

In 2024, W. P. Carey completed its first carbon-neutral construction project. During the development process, WPC prioritized lower-carbon concrete, locally sourced materials and the reuse of demolition materials on-site. To address the remaining embodied emissions, W. P. Carey procured high-quality, third-party verified carbon credits, following the standards set by the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM). For more information, read the case study here.

Net Zero Buildings: The Gold Standard

Net zero buildings, which generate as much energy as they consume, are becoming the benchmark for sustainable development. These properties leverage energy-efficient technologies, solar energy and smart building systems to achieve operational neutrality.

Net zero buildings offer benefits for owners, tenants and the environment, including reduced operating costs, healthier indoor air quality, better temperature control and a reduced carbon footprint. Net zero buildings are inherently more resilient and often command higher asset values. Globally, the net zero building market is projected to grow at a CAGR of nearly 20% annually from 2022 through 2030, driven by corporate climate commitments and tightening building codes (KD Market Insights).

Conclusion: A Sustainable Path Forward

The momentum behind sustainability in real estate is no longer aspirational – it’s actionable. For commercial real estate owners, the adoption of these sustainable solutions not only enhances asset values and meets evolving tenant demands but also opens new revenue streams and aligns with investor expectations. Real estate investors who embrace these opportunities are positioning themselves at the forefront of a sustainable future, where profitability and planet-positive outcomes go hand in hand.

Interested in learning more about W. P. Carey’s commitment to sustainability? Read our most recent Corporate Responsibility Report.