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
Ho Chi Minh City, 3 February 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.
Top Real Estate Company in Southeast Asia
CapitaLand also emerged as the top real estate company in Singapore and Southeast Asia in ‘The Sustainability Yearbook’ 2020 rankings by S&P Global, in cooperation with RobecoSAM. Ranked amongst the Top 10 real estate company in the world, CapitaLand has been listed in ‘The Sustainability Yearbook’ for over a decade. The Sustainability Yearbook is the world’s most comprehensive publication on corporate sustainability, ranking world’s best performing companies among its industry peers and in terms of financially material environment, social and governance (ESG) metrics. S&P Global is the world's foremost provider of credit ratings, benchmarks and analytics in the global capital and commodity markets, offering deep data and insights on critical business factors including ESG.
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.
About CapitaLand Limited
CapitaLand Limited (CapitaLand) is one of Asia’s largest diversified real estate groups. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, it owns and manages a global portfolio worth over S$131.7 billion as at 30 September 2019. CapitaLand’s portfolio spans across diversified real estate classes which includes commercial, retail; business park, industrial and logistics; integrated development, urban development; as well as lodging and residential. With a presence across more than 200 cities in over 30 countries, the Group focuses on Singapore and China as its core markets, while it continues to expand in markets such as India, Vietnam, Australia, Europe and the USA.
CapitaLand has one of the largest real estate investment management businesses globally. It manages seven listed real estate investment trusts (REITs) and business trusts as well as over 20 private funds. Since it pioneered REITs in Singapore with the listing of CapitaLand Mall Trust in 2002, CapitaLand’s REITs and business trusts have expanded to include Ascendas Real Estate Investment Trust, CapitaLand Commercial Trust, Ascott Residence Trust, CapitaLand Retail China Trust, Ascendas India Trust and CapitaLand Malaysia Mall Trust.
About CapitaLand Vietnam
CapitaLand Vietnam is a business unit of CapitaLand, one of Asia’s largest diversified real estate groups.
After 25 years of operation in Vietnam, CapitaLand’s portfolio in Vietnam comprises two integrated developments, close to 8,600 quality homes across 15 residential developments, two retail malls, one business park as well as more than 7,000 lodging units in 28 properties across nine cities - Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Hai Phong, Halong, Hoi An, Danang, Binh Duong, Cam Ranh and Nha Trang.
In line with CapitaLand’s credo ‘Building People. Building Communities.’, the Group is committed to contribute to the Vietnamese economy by seeking opportunities to expand its presence in the country. CapitaLand will also continue to hire and nurture a strong local team, exchange knowledge and skills with local partners, and contribute to the local communities’ underprivileged children and environment through corporate social responsibility efforts. CapitaLand has also built four CapitaLand Hope Schools for underprivileged children in Phu Tho, Long An and Hung Yen Province.