Internationally, what solutions have small and medium-sized commercial buildings and real estate businesses adopted to reduce emissions and generate carbon credits?

Small and medium-sized commercial buildings and real estate businesses (SMEs) worldwide have implemented various solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and participate in the carbon credit market. Common measures include: improving energy efficiency, applying smart management software, utilizing green building materials, as well as registering and trading carbon credits through international standards such as Verra and Gold Standard. For instance, many real estate SMEs have replaced traditional lighting systems with LED lights (LED lights reduce energy consumption by up to 80-90% compared to traditional lights). Companies such as CBRE have partnered with Siemens Energy to upgrade lighting systems at manufacturing plants, switching to LED Lighting Supply's high bay LED lights. This decision not only saves 54% of energy but also extends the lifespan of the lighting system by 30%.142

Furthermore, SMEs also apply smart Building Management Systems (BMS) software to monitor and optimize energy usage as well as track greenhouse gas emissions in real-time.143 Globally, the company Kenoteq, based in Edinburgh, Scotland, has developed a type of construction brick named K-Briq, which is made from over 90% construction waste such as crushed bricks, crushed stone, mortar, and recycled gypsum.144

Real estate businesses recognize that participating in the carbon credit market is a way to increase investment value, especially for projects using environmentally friendly materials like wood, or implementing energy-saving solutions. Generating additional cash flow from carbon credits makes green real estate projects more attractive compared to traditional projects using concrete or steel.145 In Sweden, a real estate company recently took a significant step in climate action by signing an agreement to purchase 10,000 carbon removal credits over 10 years. These credits originate from Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) technology - a solution that permanently removes CO₂ from the atmosphere.146

Overall, the combination of enhancing energy efficiency, green transition, smart management, and leveraging the carbon credit market helps small and medium-sized enterprises in the real estate sector not only reduce emissions but also increase asset value and expand opportunities for sustainable development in the future.

References

142. Peterson, N. (2024). How to Enhance Real Estate Investments with LED Lighting. Led Lighting Supply. https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/blog/how-to-enhance-real-estate-investments-with-led-lighting
143. Kumar, P. (2024). AI-Driven Energy Management Systems for Smart Buildings. Dianwang Jishu, 48(1), 322–337. https://doi.org/10.52783/pst.280
144. Nguyễn, L.(2024). Gạch làm từ hơn 90% phế liệu xây dựng, không cần nung trong lò. Tia Sáng. https://tiasang.com.vn/doi-moi-sang-tao/gach-lam-tu-hon-90-phe-lieu-xay-dung-khong-can-nung-trong-lo/
145. Klippel, M., Escamilla, Z., Cakir, E., & Maniak, I. (2020). Challenges and opportunities for timber buildings in the swiss real estate market: The role of carbon credits. Zürich: Swiss Sustainable Finance. https://doi.org/10.5167/uzh-195416‌
146. Manuell, R. (2025). Swedish real estate firm signs BECCS deal for 10k credits. Carbon-pulse.com. https://carbon-pulse.com/391851/