TY - JOUR AB - Purpose The purpose of this paper is to suggest that property investors should engage with governments to influence outcomes. Global collaboration is required from the real estate investment community, working closely with governments and legislators, to provide a clear road map to zero carbon emissions. Covid-19 has shown how quickly governments around the world can react with draconian responses, including widespread lockdowns, when faced with an existential threat. What bigger existential threat is there than climate change?Design/methodology/approach Personal viewpoint from general research.Findings Three pillars of likely government and legislative interventions are identified; namely, increased and enhanced energy regulation and carbon pricing to force a rapid switch to green energy sources for buildings; an enhanced role for Energy Performance Certificates, standardised methodologies and strict enforcement; and mandatory reporting of financial and physical climate risks based on the Financial Stability Board’s Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures. It is suggested that property investors should now engage with governments to influence outcomes.Originality/value Personal viewpoint to encourage greater involvement of the real estate investment community in governmental and regulatory decision making. VL - 13 IS - 3 SN - 1753-9269 DO - 10.1108/JERER-07-2020-0042 UR - https://doi.org/10.1108/JERER-07-2020-0042 AU - Pike John PY - 2020 Y1 - 2020/01/01 TI - The future of sustainable real estate investments in a post-COVID-19 world T2 - Journal of European Real Estate Research PB - Emerald Publishing Limited SP - 455 EP - 460 Y2 - 2024/09/24 ER -