Swedish real estate manager Eastnine joined GRESB to build a sustainability agenda and tackle physical climate risk Laying the foundation for a sustainability agenda with GRESB A leader in the Baltic real estate sector, Eastnine joined GRESB as a real estate participant in 2019 with the goal of using the assessment data and benchmark results […]
Decarbonizing infrastructure: embedding collaborative thinking in a diverse technology space
Our industry is engaged in an important dialogue to improve sustainability through ESG transparency and industry collaboration. This article is a contribution to this larger conversation and does not necessarily reflect GRESB’s position. 1. Translating net-zero risk into action Risk management is not new to the infrastructure sector. However, climate change will, and arguably has, imposed […]
Understanding Scope 4: The Increasing Importance of Avoided Emissions Data in the Commercial Real Estate Market
Being able to access data, make accurate interpretations and take action regarding the emissions your company or building produces are now must-haves that create value across your organization – from company operations to financing activities. Acting on this data allows real estate organizations to improve scores across multiple sustainability frameworks, increase brand resonance and enhance enterprise value.
What Comes After West Virginia v. EPA – Local Actions on Climate Change
Building owners play an essential role in local strategies that support global climate action. As cities and states take leadership, building owners must set new climate goals and implement efficiency initiatives throughout their operations to satisfy local ESG requirements
In the race to net zero. We will never hit our carbon net-zero targets by 2050 with today’s buildings. They must change, and we have to change our investment approach alongside them. The assets that aren’t changed soon will risk becoming obsolete and losing value.
Putting the S in ESG: resources for responsible supply chains
In recent years, a business’s social impact has gained more traction and gone beyond the welfare of employees, increasingly considering the satisfaction of corporates’ stakeholders beyond financial returns. Despite the effort, the unchecked economy still fails in maintaining socially ethical supply chains.
Going beyond “green” – why social impact is key to sustainability
The grouping of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) is not an accident – these broad categories highlight the major risk and opportunity areas for a company seeking to be profitable over the long term. Seeing the investment to manage environmental risks through a social lens provides an opportunity to shift from a risk focus to one of opportunity, driving the most value from the investment and ultimately increasing the possibility of having a successful transition.
Putting “S” in the spotlight – a concept whose time has arrived
Social disruption from climate change, inequality, and public health are some of the defining issues of our times and the real estate industry plays a crucial role in addressing these challenges by harnessing strategies that protect and enhance property, people, and the planet.
Sustainability is a broad concept involving the environment, society, and governance. To date, strategies concerning energy transition solutions have been widely discussed, but the importance of the social side of sustainability is still unclear. The S in Social (part of ESG) does not just stand for ethical choices, it also means actually improving the quality of life, and increasing inclusion and equality.
Real estate investment firm Heitman raises the bar on ESG for listed companies in APAC and across the world with GRESB Putting ESG at the heart of decision-making Focused on delivering value for clients exclusively through real estate, Heitman integrates ESG considerations into all its investment and management processes. For the firm’s listed real estate […]
German pension fund BVK joined GRESB to strengthen identified weaknesses in its portfolio Establishing a value-added focus on ESG Until recently, Bayerische Versorgungskammer (BVK) had no centralized ESG framework for its real estate investments. Instead, the Bavarian pension group provided external managers with the freedom to determine their own sustainability strategies. This approach, while offering […]
Having a sustainability or environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy is increasingly becoming a requirement within the real estate industry, with rising pressure from the investors themselves, as well as the organization’s stakeholders, and as a matter of overall legal compliance.
The enhancement and standardization of climate-related disclosures for investors
Introduction On March 21, 2022, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission opened a comment period until June 17th in response to its draft rule under which companies would disclose their own direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions). The rule would also require companies to disclose greenhouse gases generated by […]
Utilizing data to create a sustainability roadmap for your company
There’s no question that sustainability is important to consumers and investors. Consumer trends in 2020 revealed that sustainability is a key consideration for a variety of consumer segments when making their purchase decisions. The sustainable brand practices that consumers value most include waste reduction, reducing carbon footprint, and providing sustainable packaging. Meanwhile, 85% of investors considered ESG factors in their investments in 2020.
Australian public authority VFMC cuts through the clutter with GRESB to integrate ESG into investment practices. Comparable data is key when using ESG in investment decision-making As a steward of government investments, Victorian Funds Management Corporation (VFMC) seeks to improve risk-adjusted returns by actively engaging with fund managers around key ESG issues. For its real […]
