Leveraging Data to Accelerate Decarbonization: Insights from PropTech Connect in London

The real estate sector is at a turning point. With buildings responsible for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, the pressure to decarbonize is mounting. Yet, many asset managers are still operating in the dark, lacking the data needed to make informed decisions about energy efficiency and emissions reductions.

At PropTech Connect, our CEO, Ferdinand Grapperhaus, joined an expert panel alongside Steven Newman (CCO & Global Head of ESG Data at JLL), Andrew Knight (Global Head of Data at RICS), Calle Henriksson (Head of Proptech at Revelop), and Grigor G. Hadjiev (Head of Development Europe & Innovation at PIMCO) to discuss how the real estate industry can harness data to accelerate its path to Net Zero. The conversation highlighted three fundamental challenges - and the solutions that will define the industry’s path forward.

The Power of Transparent, Accessible Data

For real estate to truly embrace decarbonization, data must be transparent, independent, and open. One of the biggest hurdles today is the fragmentation of building data, often locked within proprietary systems controlled by individual solution providers. This lack of openness limits innovation, prevents AI-driven optimization, and slows the transition to sustainable operations.

A key takeaway from the discussion was the necessity of integrating siloed data sources into a unified layer—a role that Digital Twins can effectively play. By bringing together previously isolated systems, Digital Twins provide contextualized insights that allow for more precise optimization of building performance. When asset managers understand the relationships between data points—such as how occupancy rates impact HVAC efficiency—they can take smarter, more proactive steps toward reducing emissions.

As the panelists emphasized, open-source data unlocks the full potential of smart buildings. With unrestricted access to accurate, real-time information, building owners can implement AI-driven controls, fine-tune retrofitting strategies, and accelerate their path to sustainability.

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Why Asset Managers Need to Start Measuring Now

Despite growing regulatory pressures, many asset managers still lack visibility into how their buildings are actually being used. In fact, 90% do not have a clear understanding of their buildings’ real-time performance. Without these insights, opportunities for reducing energy consumption and cutting emissions are missed daily.

The first step toward decarbonization isn’t a costly overhaul—it’s simply starting to measure. By collecting and analyzing performance data, asset owners can:

• Identify areas where energy is wasted
• Optimize building operations for greater efficiency
• Make smarter, data-backed investment decisions

The technology to do this already exists. What’s needed is a shift in mindset—one that prioritizes measurement as the foundation for meaningful action.

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97% of Corporate Real Estate Is Not Paris-Aligned—That Needs to Change

Ambition alone won’t get the real estate industry to Net Zero. Right now, 97% of corporate real estate is not compliant with the 2050 targets of the Paris Agreement. Closing this gap requires more than just sustainability pledges—it demands systemic change.

The panel discussion underscored three key shifts needed:

• New industry standards to ensure accountability and measurable progress
• Better consolidation of company needs to align data strategies with sustainability goals
• A transformation in procurement processes where asset owners demand impact-driven solutions rather than competing, siloed data services

Instead of forcing data providers to compete on access, the industry should push for standardized sustainability benchmarks and require solutions that drive real, measurable impact. As Ferdinand Grapperhaus pointed out, RFPs should focus less on features and more on outcomes. Only by demanding results-driven solutions can the industry move from ambition to action.

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Pushing the Industry Forward

The real estate sector has the tools and technologies needed to accelerate decarbonization - it’s now a matter of implementation. Open data, better measurement, and clear industry standards are critical levers for change.

At Next Sense, we’re committed to driving this transformation by making real estate more intelligent, efficient, and sustainable. By leveraging transparent, contextualized data, asset managers can take decisive steps toward Net Zero and ensure their portfolios remain future-proof.

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Ready to take the next step with Next Sense? Get in touch with our team for a demo.