CapitaLand scores hat trick in global leadership listing in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index
- It is one of the first Singapore-listed companies to publish its Global Sustainability Report based on the new Global Reporting Initiative G4 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines and obtained a GRI “Materiality Matters” check
- The Group will reinforce its holistic approach to sustainability with its CapitaLand Sustainable Building Guidelines
Singapore, 11 September 2014 – CapitaLand Limited (CapitaLand) has retained its listing in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) 2014 for the third consecutive year, and the Dow Jones Sustainability Asia Pacific Index (DJSI Asia Pacific) 2014 for the fifth time. It was the first Singapore real estate company to be listed in the DJSI Asia Pacific when it was launched in 2009.
The indices were released today by S&P Dow Jones Indices, one of the world’s leading providers of financial market indices and RobecoSAM, the investment specialist focused exclusively on Sustainability Investing. The DJSI follow a best-in-class approach, including companies across all industries that outperform their peers in numerous sustainability metrics. Each year over 3,000 companies, including 800 companies from emerging markets, are invited to participate in RobecoSAM’s Corporate Sustainability Assessment. The DJSI World includes only the top 10% of companies per industry, making it the gold standard for corporate sustainability. This year marks the 15-year anniversary of the DJSI.
CapitaLand is one of the first Singapore-listed companies to publish its Global Sustainability Report 2013 (Report) based on the new Global Reporting Initiative Global 4 (GRI G4) Sustainability Reporting Guidelines, ahead of the 31 December 2015 timeline. The Report, aligned with the core level requirements outlined in the G4’s reporting standards, has achieved a “Materiality Matters” Check by GRI. The Report is externally assessed to the AA1000 Assurance Standard.
G4, GRI’s fourth generation Sustainability Reporting Guidelines, helps companies prepare sustainability reports that matter, contains valuable information about the organisation’s most critical sustainability-related issues and makes such sustainability reporting standard practice.
CapitaLand was recently named the Regional Sector Leader for the 2014 Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) for Asia/Diversified/Large Cap. Its shopping mall REIT, CapitaMall Trust, was also recognised as the Regional Sector Leader for the 2014 GRESB Survey for Asia/Retail/Large Cap.
Mr Tan Seng Chai, Chairman, CapitaLand Sustainability Steering Committee and Group Chief Corporate Officer, said: “We are pleased to report our sustainability performance using the new GRI Global 4 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines which further emphasise on materiality of issues for reporting. We are encouraged that the Group’s sustainability efforts are recognised by the Dow Jones Sustainability World and Asia Pacific Indices 2014. Sustainability is integral to CapitaLand - it is important that our business is both profitable and sustainable through innovation and stakeholder engagement. We are one of the first real estate companies in Asia to be listed on both indices and being named Regional Sector Leader in GRESB will spur us on to continue our commitment as a responsible developer.”
CapitaLand Limited Global Sustainability Report 2013
The Report articulates the Group’s management approach in integrating sustainability into its policies, structure, management and operations, and outlines the Group’s sustainability journey, with insights of its strategies, as well as highlights the economic, environmental and social aspects of its developments and operations, particularly in Singapore and China. The Report covers CapitaLand’s international portfolio in more than 20 countries from 1 January to 31 December 2013 according to the Group’s financial year.
Key Highlights of the Report:
- Cost avoidance in excess of S$53 million for utilities since 2009
- Increased operational efficiency (per square metre) since 2008 with energy and water reduction of 13% and 20.4% respectively
- Carbon emissions intensity reduced by 17% since 2008
- 53 training hours per employee, well above recommended industry guide of 40 hours
- About S$2.5 million donated by CapitaLand Hope Foundation in 2013
- CapitaLand staff contributed about 17,000 hours to participate in more than 300 volunteer activities across Asia and beyond
CapitaLand Sustainability Steering Committee and Sustainable Building Guidelines
CapitaLand enhanced its sustainability efforts earlier this year by incorporating its Green Committee into a Sustainability Management framework. Led by a Sustainability Council, its comprises members of CapitaLand’s Executive Management Committee and supported by a Sustainability Steering Committee which will oversee two work teams to ensure the Group’s continued progress and improvement in the areas of environment, social and governance (ESG). The Sustainability Steering Committee and work teams comprise representatives from all business units.
To reinforce our holistic approach to sustainability, CapitaLand’s Green Buildings Guidelines will be renamed CapitaLand Sustainable Building Guidelines. First developed in 2007, the guidelines highlight environmental considerations to be factored in at all stages of a project, from feasibility, design, procurement, construction, operation to redevelopment. The guidelines have since been extended to include health and safety, and universal design of real estate developments.