Annual financial report 2013

Reconversion opportunities

The Group also seizes any reconversion opportunities that offer poten-

tial for increasing the value of the property. These reconversions not only

optimise the use of the properties, and therefore their environmental

integration, but also allow sustainable, ecological systems to be built in.

Moreover, through these reconversions, Cofinimmo is able to better meet

both the demand for housing, to accommodate a growing population, and

the calls from public authorities for greater diversification in office-heavy

areas. Several reconversion projects of offices into residential or mixed

office/residential/retail developments are currently underway (see page

33 of this Annual Financial Report).

Property management

For 32 of its existing office buildings, accounting for 34% of its office

space, Cofinimmo has obtained an Energy Performance of Buildings cer-

tificate stating the energy performance and CO

emissions ratings. As and

when a property is sold or rented, these certificates are produced by an

accredited company and in line with the European Energy Performance of

Buildings Directive (EPBD), which has been transposed into the national

and regional legislation. The energy performance of 97% of the certified

buildings is above the current average for buildings in Brussels, which lies

midway between D and E (source: IBGE).

Energy performance certificates of Cofinimmo’s offices

located in the Brussels Capital Region

(in %)

Energy

rating

kWh PEU

/m²/

year

< 62

62 - 155

156 - 248

249 - 341

342 - 434

435 - 527

> 527

13%

50%

34%

In 2013, Cofinimmo invested in an energy data management software pro-

gramme to facilitate the identification of potential sources of savings and

the impact of investments made with a view to reducing consumption.

The software collates all the consumption data for all the common areas

managed by Cofinimmo, as well as private consumption data provided by

tenants on a voluntary basis. Changes in these consumptions over the

past three years are given on pages 102 to 108 of this Annual Financial

Report.

Cofinimmo has also continued its installation of remote meters, which

allow consumptions to be monitored in real-time and therefore better

managed.

In 2013, a green electricity supply contract was signed again for all com-

mon areas managed by the Group. The purchased volume is around

45 GWh per year, i.e. a saving of 20,385 tons of CO

, which is the equiva-

lent of nine medium-power wind turbines.

BREEAM In-Use

In order to have its efforts recognised, Cofinimmo is continuing its BREEAM

In-Use certification policy, prioritising buildings currently up for sale or

lease. The objective of obtaining an environmental certification is twofold:

on the one hand, to improve the commercial competitiveness of its build-

ings, and, on the other hand, to introduce a process of continual improve-

ment in the portfolio’s environmental performance. A total of 98,000m² of

offices have been certified, i.e. 12.5% of Cofinimmo’s office portfolio.

Property

Asset management

Building

management

Souverain/Vorst 36

Good

Bourget 42

Good

Bourget 44

Good

de Meeûs 23

Good

Cockx 8-10 (Omega

Court)

Good

Avenue Building/

London Tower

Good

Noordkustlaan 16 A-B-C

(West-End)

Pass

Good

Woluwe 58

Pass

Good

Raising the awareness of tenants

For the past two years, Cofinimmo has been asking its tenants to sign

a Green Charter. This is a collaboration agreement between Cofinimmo,

Cofinimmo Services and the tenant aimed at actively promoting sustaina-

ble development and encouraging all parties to reduce the environmental

impact of a rented property, by sharing consumption data, finding ways to

reduce consumption, improving the selective sorting of waste, etc. So far

19 tenants have signed the charter. Together, they represent around 15% of

Cofinimmo’s occupied office space.

Cofinimmo plays an active role as an environmental adviser towards its

many clients. This involves proactive and easy-to-implement advice on

reducing water and energy consumption, sorting and reducing waste,

optimising lighting and air quality, cleaning, using ecological materials

and products, minimising transport use, noise management, etc.

Mobility

Aware of how mobility can have an impact on the appeal of its town-

centre properties, Cofinimmo is exploring innovative solutions, such as:

•

making car parks open to residents outside of normal office hours;

•

providing shared electric vehicles: five vehicles are currently being

tested in office buildings in Brussels.

Cofinimmo has forged links with professional partners (Zen Car and BE

Park) that were behind the development of these services.

Primary Energy Use.

BREEAM In-Use is a subprogramme of BREEAM (see Glossary) which certifies the sustainability of existing buildings. The assessment covers more than just energy performance, and

includes energy, water, materials, transport, waste, pollution, health and well-being, management, land and ecology. Following the certification process, the building and its property

management are given a rating (Acceptable, Pass, Good, Very Good, Excellent or Outstanding).

Management Report /

Offices