CapitaLand recognised as one of the world’s most sustainable corporations for third consecutive year
Eighth inclusion in Global 100 ‘Most Sustainable Corporations In The World’ index
Singapore, 21 January 2020 – CapitaLand has been recognised as one of the world’s most sustainable corporations for the third consecutive year. CapitaLand was ranked #63 in the 2020 Global 100 ‘Most Sustainable Corporations In The World’ index by Corporate Knights Inc[1]. This is CapitaLand’s eighth inclusion in the prestigious index.
In Corporate Knights Inc’s analysis of company age and financial performance of the 2020 Global 100 companies, it also demonstrates that top sustainability performers tend to last longer and perform better for investors than comparable companies.
Ms Lynette Leong, Chief Sustainability Officer for CapitaLand Group said: “Sustainability is at the core of what we do. This global recognition affirms CapitaLand’s efforts in sustainability and responsible growth. Our triple focus on doing well, good and right, will continue to guide us as we work towards the continued creation of long-term value for CapitaLand’s stakeholders. As one of Asia’s largest diversified real estate groups, CapitaLand can effect a greater positive influence through our enlarged portfolio and operations. We remain focused on contributing to the environmental and social well-being of the communities we operate in.”
Chief Executive Officer of Corporate Knights, Mr Toby Heaps said: “CapitaLand achieved this strong result due to top quartile performance for linking executive compensation to sustainability targets, and high clean revenue exposure generated from its green real estate portfolio. Investing in sustainability makes good business as the energy transition speeds up and investors signal their hunger for companies to lead on sustainable practices. The Global 100 index is proof that companies can serve the needs of the society and continue to achieve financial growth.”
The Global 100 index is determined by analysing the sustainability and financial performance of 7,395 global corporations with over US$1 billion in revenue. Only 18 companies in Asia have made the rankings. Rankings are based on publicly-disclosed data without submissions from corporations. Corporations are first screened for their sustainability disclosure practices, financial health, product categories and behaviour, and financial sanctions. The shortlisted corporations are then scored against a set of 21 key performance indicators, covering resource management, employee management, financial management, clean revenue and supplier performance.
“Sustainability is at the core of what we do. This global recognition affirms CapitaLand’s efforts in sustainability and responsible growth. Our triple focus on doing well, good and right, will continue to guide us as we work towards the continued creation of long-term value for CapitaLand’s stakeholders. As one of Asia’s largest diversified real estate groups, CapitaLand can effect a greater positive influence through our enlarged portfolio and operations. We remain focused on contributing to the environmental and social well-being of the communities we operate in.”
CapitaLand’s increased efforts in sustainable financing
In 2019, CapitaLand and its real estate investment trusts deepened their sustainable-financing efforts to raise about S$624.7 million, reinforcing the Group’s commitment towards responsible growth. In Jul 2019, CapitaLand clinched sustainability-linked loans with Credit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank, Natixis Bank and Société Générale to raise a total of S$300 million, adding to the S$300 million sustainability-linked loan from DBS in 2018.
In Oct 2019, CapitaLand Mall Trust made its first foray into green financing to secure a S$200 million, five-year green loan from OCBC Bank to finance or refinance its properties that have achieved Singapore’s Building & Construction Authority’s Green Mark certification. In Dec 2019, CapitaLand Commercial Trust (CCT) set up a Sustainability Financing Framework which allowed CCT to secure funding from like-minded sustainability-centric investors. Under this Framework, CCT issued its first green bond comprising JPY10.0 billion (S$124.7 million) of unsecured bonds due in Nov 2027.
CapitaLand’s track record in sustainability
CapitaLand’s inclusion in the rankings bolsters the Group’s track record in sustainability. In Sep 2019, CapitaLand was listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) for the eighth consecutive year, making CapitaLand one of only two Singapore companies to be listed on the DJSI World. CapitaLand also retained its listing on the Dow Sustainability Asia Pacific Index (DSJI Asia Pacific) for the 11th year, making CapitaLand the longest standing company in Singapore to be listed consecutively on the DJSI Asia Pacific.
CapitaLand also came in first place across four categories in the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) 2019. Internationally, CapitaLand was the leader in the Global ‘Diversified – Listed’ category. In the region, CapitaLand was the leader in the Asia-Pacific ‘Diversified’, Asia ‘Diversified’ and Asia ‘Diversified – Listed’ categories.
[1] Corporate Knights Inc., which includes the sustainable-business magazine Corporate Knights and a research division that produces rankings and financial product ratings based on corporate sustainability performance.