For our investments to meet high ESG standards we ensure that sustainability is fully integrated across all our activities.
Our approach is aligned with the Company’s strategy and business model; placing ESG at the centre of all investment decisions, including how we manage, add value, and innovate to deliver a modern, efficient, and sustainable portfolio that enables our customers and stakeholders to succeed.
1. How we invest
We want to be known as a leader in responsible investment. We take the lead by investing in and developing sustainable space for occupiers, communities and the environment.
Key initiatives
- Responsible investment practices
- Achieving high standards for ESG ratings
- Green building accreditations
2. How we manage
We manage our funds to have leading ESG ratings. We focus our energy and expertise, understanding where we can directly impact and where we need to influence, facilitate, and partner sustainable initiatives.
Key initiatives
- Green leases
- EPC improvement
- Encouraging the adoption of green energy
- Climate resilience
- Biodiversity measures
- Sustainable transport
- Supply chain management
3. How we add value
We create social value in all communities we invest in. By delivering a clear ESG strategy we will deliver improved financial returns to our investors and deliver value to society.
Key initiatives
- Tenant engagement and awareness
- Health and wellbeing for Customers and communities
- Skills and jobs in developments
- Community investment
4. How we innovate
We innovate to ensure our funds are net carbon neutral. We use our ingenuity to find new and creative ways to enhance our communities.
Key initiatives
- Net zero carbon construction
- Sponsorship of sustainability innovation award
- Piloting innovations with partners that share high sustainability goals
Sustainable construction
In addition to our net zero carbon construction and building standards, our sustainable construction standards and environmental construction policy cover our suppliers and contractors, as well as cover green procurement standards such as using non-hazardous materials. We work in conjunction with our supply chain partners and monitor and track their ESG objectives for our new developments.
When we develop on greenfield sites, we only develop assets with high rated green certifications. We consider the opportunity to regenerate the area beyond the land under construction and we work closely with Local Authorities and our local communities to improve and regenerate the areas surrounding our developments. For example, this can include the creation of community green space or new roads. We are committed to meeting the legislated 10% BNG regulations.
Our development at Littlebrook in Dartford is an urban brownfield development on the site of a former power station. Positioned in a key transport location near London, it is situated close to residential developments, the scheme is supporting significant urban revitalisation. In particular, the site includes the creation of habitat areas, the reintroduction of a native Dartford bee and we are creating a series of public walking and cycling paths that the local community can use.
Working with our stakeholders
We recognise that we cannot achieve this alone and we seek to collaborate with our stakeholders to achieve our ambition. We engage with our stakeholders in a variety of ways: from formal processes such as public consultations for new developments and materiality exercises, day-to-day interactions with our customers, and working with the wider industry to further the ESG agenda.
Sustainable Logistics Alliance: In 2020, we created the Sustainable Logistics Alliance with Prologis. The aim of this group is to share best practice in sustainable logistics with the wider industry to encourage further action our peers. We have produced our first White Paper ‘Net Zero in Construction’, which detailed best practice approaches to developing net zero carbon logistics buildings. We will publish more White Papers and create a forum to engage and discuss core sustainability themes with our industry peers.
The UK Green Building Council (UK GBC): The UK GBC is a leading sustainability organisation who advocate for a sustainable built environment. We are Goldleaf members of UK GBC and are participants in selected working groups, such as Nature Based Solutions and Whole Carbon Assessments. We are signatories to the World Green Building Council’s Advancing Net Zero Commitment, becoming the 100th signatory in 2020.
The UK Business Council for Sustainable Development (UKBCSD): The UKBCSD is a prominent forum that brings together partners from industry, academia, and politics to shape the UK policy landscape for sustainable development. We are active members, with Tritax representation on their Board, supporting the delivery of UK Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the lead up to the 2021 COP 26 Climate Change talks in Glasgow.
Measuring our performance
We are transparent about our ESG performance and seek to disclose all material information to our wide range of stakeholders. In addition to disclosing our material impacts annually, we engage with the key selected ESG indices noted below. These provide valuable rating and benchmarking measures of sustainability performance. This helps us to demonstrate our achievements as well as providing feedback to help inform our management practices.
