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Pioneering the future of ESG in smart buildings through energy harvesting, battery-free IoT, and maintenance-free sensors.
Around the globe, governments, investors, and organizations are demanding measurable progress on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. As expectations rise, the building and construction sector stands at a crossroads. It must now deliver healthier, more efficient, and more transparent environments.
The EnOcean Alliance, a global consortium of over 400 companies, is uniquely positioned to support these ESG ambitions. It does so through an open, wireless standard built on energy-harvesting technology. Its solutions power ESG in smart buildings with zero batteries — and zero compromise.
“Smart buildings are no longer a luxury. They are a necessity for meeting climate targets, improving workplace wellbeing, and supporting transparent governance,” says Graham Martin, Chairman and CEO of the EnOcean Alliance. “Our mission is to enable and promote interoperable, maintenance-free solutions that are not only technically advanced but ESG-ready.”
About ESG: A Global Shift Towards Accountability
Why ESG? ESG is a global framework that helps organizations and investors assess how companies manage sustainability, people, and ethical practices. Originally developed as a voluntary investment principle into a key regulatory and strategic requirement for long-term business success. — a framework used to evaluate how organizations manage risks and opportunities related to sustainability, people, and ethical conduct. Initially developed as a voluntary investment principle, ESG is now embedded in legislation and mandatory reporting frameworks worldwide.
The global trend toward ESG transparency is accelerating. For instance, the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) requires large and listed companies to publish detailed ESG reports beginning in 2024. This will extend to SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) and non-EU entities by 2028. In the United States, climate risk disclosures have been introduced by the SEC (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission), while states like California have adopted comprehensive ESG laws (e.g., SB 253, SB 261). Likewise, countries such as China, Japan, and India are implementing or expanding ESG regulations. As a result, ESG is becoming a global standard.
Environmental: Technology That Supports Net Zero Goals
EnOcean’s energy harvesting technology eliminates the need for batteries or wired infrastructure, reducing the environmental impact of smart building systems over their lifecycle. These maintenance-free sensors draw energy from motion, light, or temperature differentials, enabling:
- Energy-efficient automation: HVAC systems that adjust based on real-time occupancy and demand can cut heating and cooling energy use by 30% to 50%.
- Space optimization: Studies show that over 30% of desks and conference rooms are unused throughout the day. Occupancy-based controls enable significant reductions in energy use and facility costs.
- Retrofit readiness: EnOcean’s wireless solutions make it easy to upgrade existing buildings without costly rewiring or environmental disruption.
All these benefits contribute directly to lower carbon emissions, all while significantly lowering a building’s carbon footprint, and improving operational efficiency
Social: Enabling Healthier, More Adaptable Workplaces
The “S” in ESG is about people — their safety, wellbeing, and productivity. EnOcean Alliance member solutions enhance indoor air quality, optimize lighting and climate based on occupancy, and support hybrid work environments through real-time data insights. These battery-free IoT technologies contribute directly to healthier workplaces by:
- Monitoring CO2 (air quality), humidity, light, and temperature to ensure optimal indoor working environments.
- Reducing stress through better climate and lighting control.
- Supporting flexible work models that improve space efficiency and comfort.
Studies show that employees working in healthy, well-managed environments are 15% more productive and experience 15% lower absenteeism. High-quality talent is also more likely to join and stay with companies that invest in wellness-focused spaces.
Governance: Ensuring Compliance, Transparency, and Security
From open standards to future-proof interoperability, EnOcean Alliance promotes governance best practices that ensure technology remains vendor-neutral, auditable, and secure. With increasing regulatory scrutiny on building performance and energy disclosure, having transparent, trustworthy data is no longer optional — it’s essential.
To support these needs, the Alliance offers certification levels such as Self-Certified, Self-Certified for IoT, Alliance-Verified, and Alliance-Verified for IoT to ensure product interoperability and enhanced security—important building blocks for supporting ESG-aligned smart infrastructure.
A Strategic Fit for a Changing World
Governments around the world are implementing legislation that makes ESG reporting mandatory.
These changes are shifting markets and raising stakeholder expectations. Fortunately, the EnOcean Alliance offers a proven, low-impact path to compliance, while supporting broader ESG reporting frameworks and enabling smart, responsive infrastructure.
“Technology is the enabler, but collaboration is the catalyst,” Martin adds. “By fostering a diverse ecosystem of solution providers, we help make ESG not only achievable but scalable.”
About the EnOcean Alliance
Founded in 2008, the EnOcean Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to enabling interoperable, maintenance-free radio systems for smart buildings, homes, and spaces. Based on the ISO/IEC 14543-3-10/11 standard, the Alliance unites leading companies in IT, building automation, and manufacturing to create intelligent, sustainable solutions for the built environment.
To learn more, contribute, or explore collaboration opportunities, visit www.enocean-alliance.org.
