LEED Zero Carbon, part of the LEED sustainable development certification methodology, is the most stringent program in the world for assessing carbon neutrality in buildings.
„This is the 3rd „first” in the history of Euro Tower – starting from the first green certification ever obtained in Romania (2010), followed by the first building to reach carbon neutrality (2019 – 2021) and, now, the first LEED Zero Carbon certification in the country. We can say without doubt that Euro Tower, often referred to as Romania’s first green building during the past decade, can now be officially considered the country’s landmark in sustainable development per se. Our vision, as a real estate developer, is to ensure all necessary aspects in order to maintain Euro Tower’s carbon neutrality also in the upcoming years” – states Alex van Breemen, Cascade Group.
Developed by Cascade Group, Euro Tower is one of the landmark class A office buildings in Bucharest, having a total area of 18.000 sqm. structured on 18 floors and 5 underground levels, plus 200 parking spaces. In 2009, Euro Tower obtained the BREEAM Very Good certification, becoming the first building in Romania to be officially confirmed as being Green according to global sustainable development methodologies.
Cascade Group, Euro Tower developer, has embarked on a comprehensive process of long-term neutralization of all CO2 emissions a few years ago, as part of a long-term decarbonization strategy. The decarbonization strategy was developed and conducted by BuildGreen, leading provider of certification and advisory services for sustainable development in Central and Eastern Europe. Euro Tower reached the level of carbon neutrality in 2019, as well as in 2020, according to the assessment of the building’s degree of CO2 emissions during that period.
„Zero Carbon certificates and systems are the next step in sustainable building, as carbon neutrality and reduction of CO2 emissions are a worldwide priority. In this context, Euro Tower will remain Romania’s milestone in sustainable development, the starting point which broke the mold towards carbon neutrality and set the ground for higher certification requirements and lower CO2 emissions” – states Răzvan Nica, Managing Director BuildGreen.
„However, we’re just getting started. Carbon neutrality is a must across the Globe, but the exact tools for reaching it are still under development. With buildings responsible for circa 40% of energy-related greenhouse gases, the population grows and the space per capita increases, the relative importance of buildings to the climate also increases, together with pressure over real estate developers and investors” – explains BuildGreen Managing Director.
