MIPIM 2026: “ESG is the New Currencies in Real Estate Assets”

On all stages from investment to innovation, from infrastructure to cities, the same message echoes strongly: sustainability is no longer a complementary objective and has become the new currency for valuing real estate assets. It is not rhetoric; it's strategy, metrics, and capital.

The keynote by Nobel laureate in economics, Philippe Aghion, crystallised this shift with stunning clarity. Aghion highlighted the critical implications for the real estate sector: how innovation and technology are now drivers of sustainable and resilient urban development, the joint and increasingly interdependent role between public and private capital in accelerating the green and digital transitions, and how public policy must evolve to increase productivity, strengthen competitiveness, and promote balanced regional growth.

The presence of Aghion reinforces MIPIM's tradition of bringing some of the most relevant figures in contemporary thought to the global debate. Among the names that have already taken the stage are François Hollande, former president of France; Sanna Marin, former prime Minister of Finland; and Ban KiMoon, former Secretary-General of the United Nations. The choice of Aghion for the 36th edition leaves no doubt as to the strategic focus of this MIPIM: to prepare leaders for profound transformations that are already underway.

As Nicolas Boffi, director of MIPIM said on stage, "Aghion's presence demonstrates our commitment to helping industry leaders understand the economic and technological changes that are shaping cities and markets". He also stressed that its pioneering research on growth and innovation offers decisive perspectives for investors, regulators and real estate professionals and especially at a time when "AI is changing everything we do".

This transformation is real and tangible in every conversation I have here. Today, before a project is born, artificial intelligence already calculates the carbon footprint, using detailed databases of construction materials and their environmental load. Designing is no longer just about designing buildings; it is about anticipating risks, emissions, future operating costs and even refinancing conditions.

Entire sectors such as airports, railways, logistics, food hubs, data centres, and many others, are reconfiguring themselves to drastically reduce their environmental footprint, not only out of conviction, but out of competitive necessity. Without clear decarbonization trajectories and auditable indicators, many assets are already facing devaluation and a higher cost of capital.

It is precisely in this context that I am proud to be able to represent here also the Portuguese multinational Greenvolt Group and Greenvolt Next, whose presence and recognition are growing in Europe. The ability of these companies to offer integrated solutions, from decentralised renewable energy to decarbonisation projects in the industrial and logistics sectors, aligns with the requirements discussed here. Seeing entities from various countries recognise Greenvolt's role in this transition reinforces confidence in the path we are building.

What I take away from these first two days at MIPIM is simple, but structural: ESG is not a department; It is the new architecture of real estate value. Because sustainable assets refinance better, perform better and are worth more. And, above all, they resist the future better.

As Managing Director at Casaiberia, and also as a representative involved in Greenvolt's strategy, I feel that we are not only observing this change but are actively participating in it. And this, more than a trend, is a responsibility.