What common challenges can one face when starting with sustainability – and how can they be solved?

When I began working with sustainability in the real estate sector, I quickly realized how complex the field is, and I understand why many property owners and managers experience it as a jungle of requirements, reporting obligations, and terminology.
That said, we also see that sustainability measures bring concrete benefits—both financially and operationally. A good example is Karlander Eiendom, which in 2022 implemented sustainability initiatives at Tevlingveien 15, including solar panels, a new ventilation system, and digital operations using VARIG.
The result? Lower shared costs, more attractive leasing conditions, and increased property value—even in a declining market.
(Source: https://www.estatenyheter.no/karlander/baerekraftstiltak-ga-okt-eiendomsverdi/358115)

Karlander is not alone. More and more real estate players are recognizing the value of reducing energy consumption, optimizing operations, and meeting growing demands from authorities, banks, investors, and tenants.
A survey by BDO shows that a full 70% of the 200 real estate companies surveyed now have or are planning sustainability initiatives—an increase from 38% the previous year. With the right approach, sustainability work becomes not only manageable but a strategic advantage.
(Source: estatenyheter.no)

Why invest in sustainability?

Sustainability is no longer just a societal responsibility—it’s a smart business strategy.
Energy-efficient and environmentally friendly properties often have lower operating costs, higher market value, and are more attractive to tenants who are demanding increasingly strict sustainability and reporting standards.
Lower electricity and maintenance costs, better indoor climate, and the opportunity for green certification can lead to better leasing terms and increased profitability.

In addition, we see that banks and investors increasingly reward sustainable companies with better loan terms, since lower energy consumption and higher demand reduce the risk of devaluation.
At the same time, good sustainability practices provide valuable insight into operations and maintenance, which can cut costs and extend building lifespan.

How to get started?

The first hurdle for many is a lack of overview—where to begin, which measures have the greatest impact, and how to measure progress?
A good start is to identify which sustainability areas are most relevant for your business and to set a realistic level of ambition.
A clear strategy and achievable goals make the work much more feasible.

Digital tools simplify the process significantly, and as Melanie, Sustainability Manager at Rika Eiendom, puts it:

“Our collaboration with VARIG gives us a complete overview of the portfolio’s sustainability status. Based on this, we can make strategic decisions for the future and meet the demands from banks, investors, and tenants.”

From good intentions to action: How to make sustainability part of daily operations

Sustainability often ends up as a side project without dedicated resources. Many companies have it on the agenda but lack the capacity to follow through in practice.
When sustainability has to compete with other business goals, it often gets deprioritized.

The solution can be to anchor sustainability work at the executive level and show how it creates competitive advantages and cost savings.
Automated solutions can ease the workload.
VARIG’s platform provides insights and reports that streamline data collection and analysis—so sustainability becomes a natural part of operations rather than a time thief.

The reporting jungle: How to find your way without losing motivation

Sustainability reporting regulations are becoming stricter, with requirements like the EU Taxonomy, CSRD, and ESRS.
Even though these mainly apply to large companies, most real estate players will be affected—either directly or indirectly.
Banks, investors, and tenants are demanding more documentation, and precise data will be crucial for meeting future expectations.

This can seem overwhelming, but with solid routines and the right tools, it becomes much more manageable.
For most companies, it's most important to have control over energy, water, waste, and refrigerants.
Digital solutions for data collection and reporting can make this significantly easier.

How to get your team on board—without heavy sighs

Internal buy-in is likely to be critical for success. Many employees and managers may be skeptical of sustainability measures, especially if they see it as extra work with no clear benefit.
The key is to show concrete results and the value of the efforts—both economically and operationally.

VARIG’s tools offer visual analyses and easy-to-understand reports that make it easier to engage employees and decision-makers.
When the impact of the measures becomes visible, understanding and motivation for sustainability efforts increase.

Sustainability is a marathon, not a sprint—and the right tools make the run easier

Sustainability doesn’t have to be complicated, and you don’t need to do everything at once—small steps can lead to big results.
We believe you’ll succeed in sustainability by:

✅ Identifying the most relevant sustainability areas for your business
✅ Integrating sustainability into your core operations and securing executive support
✅ Using digital tools to simplify data collection and reporting
✅ Engaging employees and demonstrating concrete results

Feel free to contact us at Varig Technologies if you’d like to know how we can help you get started.