On the World Sustainability Stage

CapitaLand appeared on the world sustainability stage again at the recent World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. One of Asian’s largest real estate company, CapitaLand was, for the second time, ranked the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World, moving up 10 spots from last year to be placed 77 ^th . The international ranking is conducted annually by Corporate Knights, the Canadian-based media, research and financial products company which focuses on clean capitalism. Some 4,000 companies worldwide with market capitalisation in excess of US$2 billion as of 1 October 2012 were screened in order to compile the list.

“The companies named in this year’s Global 100 stand out as the world’s top overall sustainability performers. CapitaLand and the rest of the Global 100 are well-positioned to compete and succeed in our changing world and globalised economy,” said Mr Doug Morrow, Vice President, Research, Corporate Knights.

CapitaLand was also listed in the Sustainability Yearbook by RobecoSAM, an investment specialist in Sustainability Investing; and KPMG International, an international audit, tax and advisory firm. The Sustainability Yearbook is one of the world’s most comprehensible publications on corporate sustainability. Investors consider it a guide to companies which are in the forefront of addressing risks and opportunities of sustainability.

Mr Lim Ming Yan, President and Group CEO of CapitaLand Limited, said: “CapitaLand is honoured to be recognised as one of the most sustainable companies. Sustainability has been gaining traction in the business world with increased top management support. At CapitaLand, sustainability is a Group-wide effort that is integral to our business. As the Group continues to increase efficiency, ramp up economies of scale and increase shareholder returns, we remain committed to creating long-term stakeholder value while ensuring that our businesses operate in an ethical and responsible manner.”

Being Top 100

Launched in 2005, the Global 100 is the most extensive data-drive corporate sustainability assessment in the world. Selection is limited to the top 100 large-cap companies globally and based on 12 Key Performance Indicators.

In terms of its “leadership diversity”, 30 per cent of CapitaLand’s top management are women, including five who are in top positions such as CEOs within the Group. It has two women on its board of directors and females make up almost half the managerial staff.

CapitaLand’s “innovation capacity” is demonstrated through its investments in innovative features for its green-certified buildings, a dedicated research and development fund, and its ICE (Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship) programme where innovative ideas are generated to improve processes and productivity within the Group.

Going by the (Sustainability) Book

To be listed in the prestigious Sustainability Yearbook, CapitaLand had to be one of the top scoring 15 per cent of 3,000 companies in the Dow Jones Global Total Stock Market Index across 58 sectors around the world which went through RobedoSAM’s Corporate Sustainability Assessment. Companies are recognised for preparedness to seize opportunities and manage risks deriving from economic, environmental and social developments.

“CapitaLand is committed to sustainability. While top management support is an important driver in our sustainability journey, it is also crucial that our stakeholders share the Group’s commitment to transparency and to improving the economic, environmental and social well-being of the communities we operate in,” said Mr Tan Seng Chai, Group Chief Corporate Officer of CapitaLand Limited.

Internationally Certified

Adding to its substantial achievements, CapitaLand also became the first and largest real estate company in Asia to achieve ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certifications for its Environmental, Health and Safety Management System across the 15 countries in the Asia Pacific and Europe where its investment properties are. The Group expanded its scope of ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certification last year to include Belgium, Germany, Indonesia and Spain.

ISO 14001, audited by a third-party accredited certification body, is the internationally recognised standard for the environmental management of businesses. OHSAS 18001, audited by a third party accredited certification body, is a recognised international standard for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems.

Increasingly, CapitaLand has been garnering international recognition for its commitment to sustainability. It is listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) 2012/2013 and Dow Jones Sustainability Asia Pacific Index 2012/2013. It was named the Asian Sector Leader in the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) Report 2012 as well. In 2012, CapitaLand won the ASEAN Award for Most Admired Enterprise for CSR (Large Company), and Outstanding Corporate Citizen in China by Corporate Citizen Committee of China Social Workers.

However, accolades are not what this company is all about. It is about fulfilling its credo of Building People.