Stockland has taken back the world’s most sustainable real estate company title from GPT in the 2015 Dow Jones Sustainability Index.
The index, which this year analysed 1845 organisations worldwide, tracks what it sees as the most sustainable companies over a range of sectors based on analysis by sustainability investment company RobecoSAM, covering economic, social and environmental dimensions.
Stockland blitzed the field, scoring (on a scale of 100) around twice that of the industry average, taking the number one position GPT in turn took from Stockland last year.
“Stockland is very proud to be named as the global real estate sector leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index,” managing director and chief executive Mark Steinert said.
“Achieving such an outstanding result requires a concerted effort and I would like to thank and congratulate our employees, tenants, suppliers, customers and investors for supporting our efforts to create more sustainable and environmentally conscious real estate developments.”
Stockland was the leader overall, and on economic and social criteria, but was outshone on environmental criteria, particularly around “operational eco-efficiency” and “resource conservation and resource efficiency”, though was still well ahead of the average.
The real estate leader’s report noted that climate change and energy efficiency were of great importance for the real estate industry because buildings contributed one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions.
“Additionally, low-energy buildings that use innovative materials reduce the impact of volatile energy prices on the cost of management and ownership of a property. This results in high demand for residential, commercial and industrial green buildings.” the report said.
It said social factors were also becoming increasingly important.
“In the current volatile economic environment, community engagement and investments in areas surrounding properties are receiving increased attention to maintain asset values high and remain the preferred proprietor for tenants.”
Other Aussie wins included Westpac again being named the most sustainable bank in the world, recording its highest score yet. And after falling off the index last year, BHP Billiton made a reappearance. Telstra, however, this year got knocked off the list.