CRREM, WEii and Paris Proof: aligning real estate with the Paris climate goals
The Paris climate goals require decisive action in the built environment. In the coming years, real estate must significantly reduce energy use and carbon emissions to remain within the global carbon budget. To assess whether buildings are on track, methodologies such as CRREM (Carbon Risk Real Estate Monitor), WEii (Actual Energy Intensity indicator) and the Paris Proof target play a key role.
CRREM provides an internationally recognised carbon pathway framework, while approaches such as WEii and Paris Proof offer practical ways to translate these targets into measurable energy performance at building level. Together, they provide insight into performance, risks and the additional steps required towards a future-proof portfolio.
Where do we stand on the path to Paris Proof?
Energy performance is increasingly determining value retention, financing potential and long-term returns. However, a large share of existing buildings is still not on track to meet the Paris Proof target. Energy consumption is simply too high to stay within the available carbon budget.
The reduction targets are ambitious. For many real estate portfolios, this requires targeted renovations, smart investment decisions and continuous performance monitoring. The question is no longer whether action is needed, but how to approach it in a structured, measurable and financially substantiated way.
Paris Proof and WEii: managing energy use
Paris Proof is a Dutch framework aimed at reducing energy use in the built environment, with the goal of enabling buildings to operate without fossil fuels by 2050. This ambition has been further defined for the Dutch context by the Dutch Green Building Council (DGBC).
The underlying assumption is that in the future, only a limited amount of renewable energy will be available, roughly one-third of current consumption. This means buildings will need to reduce their energy use by approximately two-thirds or generate renewable energy themselves. In addition to the end goal, DGBC has defined a reduction pathway towards Paris Proof. This translates into interim WEii performance classes, such as Efficient in 2025 and Highly Efficient in 2030.
WEii, the Actual Energy Intensity indicator, is the measurement methodology that shows where a building stands. It expresses actual energy use in kilowatt-hours per square metre and compares this to fixed thresholds per building type. This makes it clear whether a building already meets the Paris Proof level or how much reduction is still required. WEii therefore makes energy performance tangible, comparable and actionable.
“The energy transition in the built environment requires clear targets and transparent measurement. Paris Proof provides direction, WEii makes it tangible. By steering on actual energy use, a realistic pathway emerges towards a fossil-free built environment.”
CRREM: managing carbon pathways and transition risk
CRREM provides an internationally recognised framework to assess the extent to which real estate aligns with 1.5°C scenarios. It uses country- and sector-specific carbon reduction pathways for both CO₂ emissions and energy use up to 2050, based on the net-zero targets of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
CRREM shows when an asset becomes ‘misaligned’ and at risk of value decline, higher renovation costs or reduced financing potential. This makes it a powerful tool for carbon risk management and strategic portfolio decisions.
For the Netherlands, DGBC has contributed data to the CRREM pathways. As a result, the ambition of the WEii pathway and the CRREM 1.5°C scenario is broadly aligned in content.
While Paris Proof and WEii primarily focus on reducing energy consumption, CRREM focuses on the carbon reduction pathway and avoiding misalignment. Combined, these frameworks provide insight into both energy performance and financial transition risk.
Recent developments
Both CRREM and WEii are playing an increasingly important role in real estate sustainability strategies. CRREM is widely used by institutional investors and is increasingly integrated into ESG reporting.
WEii is also gaining traction. More sectors are steering on actual energy performance rather than theoretical indicators such as energy labels, including both commercial and public sectors such as education and healthcare.
To support the translation from analysis to decision-making, CFP has integrated both CRREM and WEii into the Green Buildings Tool. This enables users to:
- analyse energy performance
- model the impact of improvement measures
- develop decarbonisation roadmaps
- gain insight into how energy use and carbon emissions evolve over time
This provides a stronger foundation for investment decisions and long-term strategies aligned with Paris Proof.
From insight to action
The key question is: how do you translate these methodologies into action?
- Map your starting position
Start by gaining insight into both actual energy use and CO₂ performance.
A WEii analysis shows how a building performs against the Paris Proof target.
A CRREM analysis shows how the building compares to its carbon reduction pathway towards 2050. - Identify risks and priorities
CRREM highlights which assets are at risk of misalignment with 1.5°C pathways and where carbon transition risks arise.
WEii shows which buildings are still far from the targeted energy use levels.
Combining both perspectives allows for targeted prioritisation of investments.
- Develop a decarbonisation roadmap
Link measures to a realistic pathway towards 2050.
Use WEii to determine the required energy reduction.
Use CRREM to assess the impact on carbon pathways and misalignment risk.
This results in a strategy that addresses both performance and financial risk.
- Monitor and steer continuously
By periodically assessing performance against WEii benchmarks and CRREM pathways, you maintain control over both energy targets and carbon transition risks.
This helps prevent assets from falling behind on required reduction pathways.
Ready for the next step?
CRREM and Paris Proof provide real estate stakeholders with practical tools to translate the Paris climate goals into action. By combining insights, benchmarking and roadmaps, a strategy emerges that is not only future-proof but also financially robust.
Want to understand how your building or portfolio performs?
CFP is happy to support you with an assessment and roadmap towards Paris Proof, providing insight into both energy performance and carbon risk.
