The Challenge 2025

“How can we substantially reduce carbon emissions in affordable housing in a financially viable way?”

From construction to operation, decarbonizing affordable housing* presents both challenges and opportunities. This year’s PIC calls for innovative, scalable solutions that address key barriers to decarbonisation, while ensuring affordability.

Proposed solutions should address at least one of the following key Use Cases identified by the ULI community:

• Low-Carbon Construction – Unlocking cost-effective, scalable pathways to integrating low-carbon materials and methods in affordable housing development, while incorporating circular economy principles where possible.
• Operational Efficiency – Enhancing cost-efficient operations and amenities for tenants and operators through hard- and/or software solutions that optimize energy and utility use.
• Innovative Financing – Developing new financing structures and/or financial incentives that make affordable housing and carbon reduction solutions attractive for developers, investors, homeowners, and policymakers.

The Challenge 2024

“How do we substantially reduce carbon emissions in the built environment? Scope 3 emissions for real estate investors: an asset life-cycle approach.”

Solutions will have to impact at least one of the below Use Cases voiced by the ULI Community:

• Retrofitting at Scale
• Operational Circularity Made Easy
• Gamification as a tool to strengthen collaboration between asset stakeholders
• ESG Platforms Integration: Data Collection, Presentation, and Asset Optimization
• New and More Sustainable Materials

View the 2024 European finalists and winner here.