LEND Lease Investment Management has become the first global property investment manager to sign up to the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investment.
LLIM’s global chief executive Rod Leaver Lend Lease has long been aware of the competitive advantages associated with sustainability and responsible property investing.
“However it is also increasingly becoming a key subject of interest to our investors. By becoming signatories, LLIM is better positioned to engage with the investment community on the benefits of responsible property investment via a framework that is globally recognised and endorsed,” he added.
LLIM is also an observer member of the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative Property Working Group project, which is working to demonstrate the financial and environmental value of responsible property investment.
Leaver said LLIM’s commitment to both the principles to make its funds more sustainable is demonstrated by achievements made to date. In Australia, progression of the APPF Commercial sustainability strategy has resulted in substantial improvements including a 25% improvement in water use and 9% improvement in greenhouse emissions in the past 18 months; 25% of power procured for the portfolio to be Green Power from January 01 2008; and all new developments to be designed to achieve high Green Star environmental ratings as assessed by the Green Building Council of Australia.
Leaver said significant further operational portfolio improvements are expected across all funds managed by LLIM as the full benefits of current and programmed environmental and social initiatives are realised.
Australian Property Journal