A company of LBBW
Partnerships
Berlin Hyp believes that maintaining a dialogue and working together to come up with the best solutions is the key to achieving a comprehensive transformation of the economy and society in line with the principles of sustainability. Berlin Hyp therefore works with institutions both within and outside the real estate and financial sectors in order to further develop its approach to sustainability, whereby the Bank also participates in relevant discussion forums and associations.
The following is a selection of Berlin Hyp’s most important partnerships, memberships and activities:
Sector associations
Deutscher Sparkassen- und Giroverband (German Savings Banks Association – DSGV)
Berlin Hyp has representatives in the German Savings Banks Association who participate in working groups that address issues related to sustainability. The Bank is also a signatory to the “Commitment by German savings banks to climate-friendly and sustainable business practices”.
Verband deutscher Pfandbriefbanken (Association of German Pfandbrief Banks – vdp)
Berlin Hyp participates in the association’s various committees and working groups, including the working group on ESG Risks in Risk Management. Berlin Hyp has also ceded its trademark rights to “Grüner Pfandbrief” to the vdp in order to strengthen the position of Grüner Pfandbrief on the market.
Zentraler Immobilien-Ausschuss (German Property Federation – ZIA)
Berlin Hyp participates in the association’s Sustainable Finance and CSR working groups, among others. It also has representatives on the association’s Energy and Technical Building Services committee.
Institutions that focus on sustainability
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen (German Sustainable Building Council – DGNB)
As part of the new construction of Berlin Hyp's corporate headquarters, the company is a member of the DGNB. Berlin Hyp has already received DGNB certification in accordance with the highest sustainability standards for the demolition of the old headquarters, and is now looking to obtain similar certification for the new building.
Urban Land Institute (ULI)
Berlin Hyp has been a member of the Urban Land Institute since 2014. The ULI is a global, member-managed research and education organisation with more than 45,000 members that are dedicated to the exchange of information on key issues relating to the sustainable development and use of cities, as well as all issues that impact the real estate sector. The goal of the ULI is to work with public-sector agencies to promote the exchange of knowledge and experience in order to continuously improve the quality of life in cities and communities around the world.
Berlin Hyp has been a member of the UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) since October 2022. The initiative catalyses measures throughout the financial system in order to align the economy with sustainable development. The clear commitment to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Banking is another step towards manifesting Berlin Hyp’s sustainability strategy. From now on, the Bank will contribute its expertise in real estate and banking topics to the network and will thus actively participate in shaping the establishment of a climate-neutral financial industry.
Platforms and initiatives
Pathway to Paris
Within the framework of the Pathways to Paris project, WWF Deutschland and PwC Deutschland have established a platform that enables the real economy, the financial sector and the scientific community to conduct the dialogue that’s needed for addressing sustainability issues. Discussions focus on, among other things, the current state of development of low-emission technologies and alternative energy and fuels. The project is also improving rating systems that help assess such technologies from a financial and fiscal perspective.
Ecore
The members of the Ecore initiative have developed a scoring standard that makes sustainability in real estate portfolios transparent, measurable and comparable, and thus serves as a basis for continuous improvement as we move ahead on the path to carbon neutrality.
Madaster
Berlin Hyp is a so-called Kennedy member of the Madaster network. Madaster is a materials registry and online platform that can be used to register buildings and all the materials and products they contain. The platform makes it possible for property owners and other stakeholders to store, manage, enrich and share data about their properties. This facilitates recycling and re-utilisation and eliminates waste in a system that transforms buildings into reservoirs of materials.