Sustainability, digitalization, and innovation shape MIPIM 2025

At an exclusive evening event at Rado Beach, industry representatives gathered to share their first impressions of the fair and discuss new approaches to further advancing sustainability.

One of the highlights was the inspiring keynote speech by Roland Hunziker, Director of Built Environment at the World Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). He particularly highlighted the significant role of the real estate industry in achieving climate goals. Although ESG measures are currently under increased political pressure, discussions with business representatives show that the vast majority of companies remain committed to ESG goals.

Despite different perspectives on the challenges, there was consensus at the end of the event on the goals and necessary measures. There is a need for a common understanding of the measurement of CO2 emissions, greater consideration of greenhouse gas emissions in decision-making processes, and above all, better collaboration between industry representatives and political decision-makers. Digital tools can be particularly helpful in this regard.

The emerging stabilization of interest rates and the continuous upswing in the transaction markets have also been a tailwind for the industry, and were noted with great confidence in Cannes. 

The need for investment in European infrastructure and its impact on the real estate industry was also discussed. Not least due to geopolitical uncertainties and the planned financing package in Germany, infrastructure investments were also increasingly put on the agenda at the real estate fair.

MIPIM 2025 once again demonstrated the value of personal exchange with international partners and a common understanding of the trends and topics in the industry.