Climate change is no longer a future concern for corporate real estate and facilities leaders — it is becoming a decisive factor in where organisations invest, operate and grow. Colliers’ report, ‘Building Resilience: 5 Megatrends Redefining Corporate Real Estate’, identifies climate risk as one of five global megatrends redefining corporate real estate strategy.
Climate Risk Moves Centre Stage
Environmental and climate-related pressures across EMEA are intensifying, forcing real estate and facilities professionals to rethink long-established assumptions about location and building performance.
According to recent findings published by Colliers in its Building Resilience: 5 Megatrends Redefining Corporate Real Estate report — and highlighted by Eurobuild CEE — climate risk is emerging as one of the defining forces shaping the future of corporate real estate.
The report identifies a growing convergence of two major challenges: the increasing physical impact of extreme weather events and mounting regulatory and stakeholder expectations for measurable action. Together, these pressures are raising difficult questions about the long-term viability of existing property portfolios.
From Sustainability Issue to Strategic Priority
Although awareness of climate exposure is increasing, many organisations across EMEA remain insufficiently prepared.
The research indicates that climate risk is still too often managed as a sustainability initiative rather than integrated into core business decisions such as site selection, leasing strategy and capital allocation. As a result, many leaders continue to delay action despite mounting evidence of operational exposure.
In some markets, evolving environmental and ESG requirements may accelerate asset obsolescence, potentially leaving parts of existing building stock unable to meet future standards without substantial intervention.
At the same time, changing climate conditions are altering assumptions around geographic resilience, with locations once viewed as relatively secure becoming increasingly exposed to environmental disruption.
Facilities Management Has a Critical Role
For facility managers, the implications extend well beyond compliance. Physical climate risks — including flooding, heat stress and environmental disruption — have direct impacts on buildings, occupant wellbeing, operational continuity and supply chain resilience. Over the next five years, these risks are expected to become increasingly material.
Sam Addison, Head of Project Management, EMEA at Colliers, emphasises for EurobuildCEE that organisations should avoid entering lease agreements without first understanding the climate risk profile of an asset. Applying a risk-based approach can support capital expenditure decisions, shape portfolio strategy and reduce the likelihood of committing to underperforming assets.
Acting Before Pressure Becomes Disruption
The message for real estate and facilities professionals is increasingly clear: climate risk can no longer sit at the margins of strategy.
Organisations that incorporate climate resilience into location decisions today are likely to strengthen operational continuity, preserve asset value, and improve long-term performance as environmental pressures intensify.