Our ambition is to conduct our business in a manner that contributes to achieving sustainable development goals.

In 2015, we adopted the first iteration of our ESG policy. We undertook to develop properties in an environmentally responsible and resource-efficient manner throughout each building's lifecycle: from planning to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition. We made a commitment that all our existing projects where possible and all new projects will be assessed by sustainability certification schemes such as DGNB, BREEAM or LEED.

Our ESG policy is based on three pillars and eight focus areas:

  1. Environmental issues
  2. Social issues
  3. Governance

ENVIRONMENT: CONCERN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

We are reducing our environmental footprint. We deliver and manage green-certified buildings (saving energy and resources, lowering carbon emissions). We contribute to the circular economy.

FOCUS AREAS OF THIS PILLAR:

E1. Green buildings

E2. Climate change mitigation

Our main focuses with regard to lowering the impact on the environment are:

E1. Green buildings

  • Delivering sustainable buildings that operate with a reduced impact on the climate, using green energy and substantially fewer natural resources (such as water), and focusing on the wellbeing of tenants.
  • Reducing our carbon footprint by thorough analysis of ways to limit CO2 emissions and development of a proper low-emission strategy.
  • Conducting our business in a closed-loop system that minimises waste and resource consumption.
  • Developing processes which result in the sustainability of our portfolio being confirmed by relevant green certificates (LEED, BREEAM, DGNB and WELL).
  • Contributing to the circular economy through refurbishment and by minimising waste and making the most of resources.

E2. Climate change mitigation

  • Developing new buildings, acquiring and managing assets with a focus on protecting the natural environment.
  • Improving energy efficiency and lowering carbon emissions in our buildings.

SOCIAL: EMPOWERMENT, RESPECT AND DIVERSITY

We deliver office and retail space where our tenants can grow.

We care about our employees, who are our most important asset. We are a good neighbour, investing in local communities.

FOCUS AREAS OF THIS PILLAR:

S1. Tenants

S2. People

S3. Communities

Our main focuses with regard to our social issues are:

S1. Our tenants

  • Loyalty through a professional approach.
  • Direct and effective cooperation through tenant relationships between leasing teams and tenants to resolve any issues that arise and meet their needs.
  • Coordination by our asset management teams of the activities of other departments and external suppliers when they are involved in tenant-related activities. We work with lawyers, public institutions, insurance companies, contractors, etc. acting on behalf of our tenants.
  • Involving tenants through cooperation and raising awareness of how to achieve meaningful results with regard to the properties’ impact on environmental and social issues.

S2. Our employees

  • Creating a stable employment conditions in terms of respecting employees’ rights and providing adequate remuneration and benefits.
  • Creating a good working atmosphere based on mutual trust and respect.
  • Maintaining a rigorous approach to compliance with occupational health and safety requirements.
  • Development of employees through training and participation in industry events.
  • Encouraging employees to be involved in social activities such as sports events and charity.
  • Confirming, through our actions, that we are a reliable and competitive employer.

S3. Local communities

Our main focus is to execute investments in a responsible manner, taking in the account the concerns of local communities, by revitalising post-industrial areas and providing high-quality buildings, where we can make an impact on:

  • Building sustainable and accessible city spaces through our assets and local infrastructure.
  • Stimulating social growth and answering local needs in the neighbourhoods in which our properties are located.

GOVERNANCE : BEST GOVERNANCE PRACTICES

We act ethically and ensure compliance within all our operations. We implement processes minimising ESG-related risks. We lead open and honest communication with all our stakeholders.

FOCUS AREAS OF THIS PILLAR:

G1. Compliance

G2. Risk management

G3. Transparency

Our main focuses with regard to governance issues are:

G1. Compliance

  • Continuously working with the highest business ethics in a proactive and open manner.
  • Always operating be made within the framework of good practices.
  • Zero tolerance for any form of corruption, fraud, anti-competitive or monopoly behaviour;
  • Considering legal compliance in every decision about our investments, developments, management practices and other processes.
  • Maintaining very good relations with our partners based on mutual trust.

G2. Risk management

  • Conducting all our operations to ensure the sustained profitability of our business.
  • Identifying key risk factors and effective ways to mitigate risks before they materialise.
  • Annually reviewing the risk management framework, and updating our business procedures.

First and foremost, we constantly raise our employees' awareness of the importance of risk management and encourage them to actively report risky situations and threats related to environment, social and governance issues in their daily work.