Pax Asset Management AG develops a data-driven decarbonization strategy

How a multi-step approach creates robust emissions reduction pathways

Initial situation: A solid foundation without an integrated decarbonization strategy or transition risk management

Pax Asset Management AG, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pax Holding (Cooperative) headquar­tered in Basel, has been working with Wüest Partner since 2020. In recent years, it has contin­u­ously expanded its use of Wüest Partner’s solutions, from tradi­tional valua­tions to imple­menting the Wüest Dimensions real estate management platform. The platform has enabled compre­hensive, user-friendly investment planning based on up-to-date market data. What was still missing was an integrated approach to decar­bonizing its real estate portfolio.

For the Pax Group, sustain­ability means thinking about the future while acting in the here and now. It means prior­i­tizing long-term success over short-term gains, reducing emissions step by step, and improving people’s quality of life.

In particular, energy consumption and CO₂ emissions were not being system­at­i­cally tracked across the entire portfolio of approx­i­mately 90 properties. Consequently, there was limited trans­parency regarding current environ­mental perfor­mance and no reliable basis for strategic decision-making. With the realignment of the real estate organi­zation, the issue gained momentum, and it quickly became clear that Pax Asset Management AG wanted to take a struc­tured, data-driven approach to sustain­ability while ensuring it could actively manage the process.

Challenge: Taking action without complete energy consumption data

The key challenge was to launch this trans­for­mation process while the necessary data infra­structure was still under devel­opment. Together with Pax Asset Management AG, Wüest Partner and Signa-Terre (a Wüest Partner Group company) therefore developed an approach specif­i­cally designed to address this gap.

For us, it was crucial not to make the process dependent on a fully developed data foundation, but rather to establish a robust strategic direction early on. The initial reduction pathways provide guidance and form a sound basis that can be gradually refined as more data becomes available.

Christoph Leitgeb, Wüest Partner

Solution: Multi-level approach to reduction pathways and consumption data

As a first step, Wüest Partner estab­lished trans­parency to obtain a clear picture of the portfolio’s current status. Missing data was added to the Sustainability Management Tool in Wüest Dimensions, and initial reduction pathways were modeled – delib­er­ately without complete consumption data at this stage. These pathways served as strategic guide­lines and a basis for subse­quent valua­tions and scenario analyses. At the same time, Signa-Terre estab­lished a struc­tured system for tracking energy consumption, including calcu­lating CO₂ emissions and other sustain­ability indicators using the ImmoLabel solution. As soon as consumption data becomes available, it is integrated into the database and used to calibrate and refine the reduction pathways accord­ingly. This creates a dynamic system that becomes increas­ingly precise over time while enabling informed action at every stage.

The added value lies in the seamless integration of data collection, quality assurance, and strategic management. We ensure that the data does not remain isolated but is incor­po­rated directly into Pax Asset Management AG’s specific decision-making processes.

Nicolas Wild, Wüest Partner

Added value: Transparency and a sound basis for decision-making, fully integrated into the balance sheet valuation process

For Pax Asset Management AG, this approach repre­sents a signif­icant improvement. Transparency regarding energy consumption and emissions is gradually increasing, while a consistent foundation for reporting, management, and investment decisions is being estab­lished at the same time. A partic­u­larly relevant benefit is the ability to develop scenarios at an early stage and actively manage decar­bonization pathways, rather than merely analyzing them retro­spec­tively. Full integration with Wüest Dimensions valuation software provides a seamless user experience and makes it easier to quantify the economic and environ­mental impacts of an optimized investment strategy.

For us, it was crucial to take action early on, even though the data foundation was not yet complete. The approach we chose enables us to gradually build trans­parency across our portfolio while simul­ta­ne­ously setting a clear strategic direction for decar­bonization. The close integration of data collection and management is partic­u­larly valuable: We not only gain better insights into energy consumption and emissions, but can also use this infor­mation to make well-informed decisions and concrete actions. This creates a solid foundation for system­at­i­cally achieving our sustain­ability goals over the long term.

Michael Kessler, Head of Real Estate, Pax Asset Management AG

Collaboration: Close coordination from the outset

A key factor in the project’s success was the close collab­o­ration among all parties involved. By jointly identi­fying Pax Asset Management AG’s needs and strategic direction, the Wüest Partner Group was able to optimally combine its areas of expertise.

Close coordi­nation among all partners was crucial. This was the only way to develop a solution that works opera­tionally and is strate­gi­cally sound at the same time.

Michael Kessler, Head of Real Estate, Pax Asset Management AG

The result is an integrated approach that encom­passes the entire process, from data collection and the modeling of decar­bonization pathways to their long-term management. This demon­strates how a clearly struc­tured, iterative approach can success­fully resolve even complex situa­tions.

Further information

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