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Sustainability: The next chapter

2019 has yet again been a milestone year for Lendlease’s leadership in pushing new and better outcomes for people and the planet. For this, we are proud to have maintained top positions in the 2019 Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) rankings.

Sustainability
  • 9 Dec 2019
  • by
  • Michael Long
This is testament to our ongoing commitment to lead truly sustainable efforts in the industry – environmentally, socially and economically. The Lendlease Sustainability Framework was developed to respond to the need to plan for future generations and integrates sustainability into every part of our business.

But Lendlease has always had a powerful social ethos. This is the very foundation of what our reputation is built on: Being bold and pioneering change. What’s even more powerful is how this has translated into responsible investment in the places we create, doing good for both business and society. 

Responsible Investment & Sustainable Buildings are good business

In line with our signatory commitment under the United Nations supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), we are committed to creating value for all stakeholders in everything we do by delivering positive economic, environmental and social outcomes whilst operating in an environment that is Incident & Injury Free.

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors form an integral part of the management process of our property portfolios. Of note, last month we celebrated the grand opening of our largest project in Singapore to date, Paya Lebar Quarter. Not only is it the first private-mixed use development to achieve the Active Beautiful Clean (ABC) Waters Certification, but all seven of its buildings have received the BCA Green Mark Platinum, and the office buildings and mall are the country’s first to achieve the BCA Green Mark for Non-Residential Buildings 2015. High efficiency water fittings have also been installed, along with monitoring and leak detection systems, in a move that is expected to save over 40% of water and costs annually. The buildings are intelligently operated using an Open Building System  Integration or OBSI online solution allowing the smart monitoring and management of critical building features and maximizing operational efficiency. 

The thoughtful biophilic design of the precinct also encourages reconnection of people with nature, with different species planted throughout the precinct and children’s playground. Features like these also help build climate resilience into the precinct, ensuring it remains vibrant and adaptable to the changing climate and lifestyle needs of the community.

Most importantly, it’s about Community

When it comes to community, Lendlease promotes social and economic wellbeing in the communities in which it operates. Our Sustainability Framework responds to this need to plan for future generations by aligning to three key imperatives: 1) Supporting sustainable economic growth; 2) Creating vibrant and resilient communities and cities; and 3) Fostering a healthy planet and healthy people. 

In the case of Paya Lebar Quarter, we have provided the local community with a “town centre” at PLQ Plaza, a vibrant and connected place to meet and mingle. The open air public domain is protected from the heat and rain, is linked to the adjacent MRT transport hub and supporting multiple retail, food and beverage offerings to people who work, live in or are visiting the precinct.

For tenants, the PLQ Workplace app integrates all tenant and visitor services through a single platform, tailored to address the occupants’ needs in a future grade workplace. Tenants stay connected to  PLQ’s workplace ecosystem with key updates, resources and exclusive offers.

Our global Community Day initiative also gives Lendlease employees a chance to make a difference in the community in which they live and work, which in turn creates a synergy across work and personal well-being. This year, one of the activities was providing support for a STEM day camp for more than 500 Secondary 1 and 2 students from Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ Secondary School. In collaboration with the Girls2Pioneers program, Lendlease volunteers shared their experiences as female STEM professionals, and participated in fun hands-on STEM challenges. 

Initiatives like this resonate with and empower our staff to be innovative and look for opportunities to be more sustainable in our operations. It also spearheads talent attraction. 

Building a legacy for future generations is our corporate responsibility 

This year’s GRESB rankings indicate our proven track record in sustainability. In the Asia Retail funds category with 20 submissions, the five Lendlease-managed funds took the top positions, including the regional sector lead for the second consecutive year since 2017. 

We care about the environment and the importance of leaving positive legacies for future generations. Our work in the built environment not only strives to mitigate the impacts of climate change, but also aims to leave a social legacy in creating jobs, building skills and supporting local communities, while achieving positive environmental outcomes.

By Michael Long, Head of Sustainability, Asia
 
Sustainability