Investment Management | UK | Lendlease

The United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) Initiative is an international network of investors working together to put the six Principles for Responsible Investment (‘the Principles’) into practice. The Principles aim to help integrate the consideration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues by institutional investors into investment decision-making and ownership practices, and thereby improve long-term returns to beneficiaries. In implementing the Principles, signatories contribute to the development of a more sustainable global financial system. 

Lendlease’s Investment Management business was the first global specialist property investment management company to become a PRI signatory in November 2007.

All signatories are required to participate in the PRI’s annual Reporting and Assessment process. In July 2019, Lendlease received positive feedback on its most recent PRI submission, achieving an A+ rating for the PRI’s Strategy & Governance module (scoring 29 of 30 available points) and an A+ rating in the Property module (scoring 42 of 42 available points).

A copy of Lendlease’s 2020 Transparency Report is available here.

The Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) is a voluntary, investor led benchmarking tool that assesses the sustainability performance of property portfolios, globally. The tool covers environmental, social and governance aspects of property funds, existing buildings, new development and major refurbishments. Each participant achieves an overall score on a scale of 0–100, and also a score for its performance in each of GRESB’s dimensions – Policy & Disclosure, Implementation & Measurement, and New Construction & Major Refurbishment.

Lendlease believes that its participation in the GRESB survey provides clarity and transparency on the ESG performance of its property funds and assets on a globally consistent basis, and believes that GRESB provides necessary focus and direction for the real estate sector.

We are committed to the use of green rating tools and labels, where they exist, to benchmark and disclose the ESG performance of our assets. In Europe, we use NABERSUK, WELL (including the WELL Community Standard), Fitwel, BREEAM, LEED and Home Quality Mark (HQM). 

The National Australian Built Environment Rating System UK (NABERSUK) launched in November 2020 and provides a simple, reliable system for rating the energy efficiency of office buildings across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The scheme is administered by BRE, whilst the strategic operations of NABERS UK are overseen by a steering committee comprising BRE, the Better Buildings Partnership and NABERS, as scheme owner on behalf of Australia’s New South Wales Government. The rating scheme measures and rates the actual energy use of offices, helping building owners to accurately track and communicate the energy performance of their buildings. It also helps identify areas for savings and improvements. 

The WELL Building Standard® is an evidence-based system for measuring, certifying and monitoring the performance of building features that impact health and well-being. It's administered by the International WELL Building Institute™ (IWBI), and covers seven concepts: air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort and mind. Platinum, gold and silver WELL ratings can be achieved for buildings including tenant spaces, and WELL Core and Shell Compliance can be achieved by building owners for building aspects under landlord control. 

The WELL Community Standard builds upon the WELL Building Standard®, aiming to positively impact individuals throughout the public spaces that they spend their time in. It focuses on ten concepts to support the development of health-focused, integrated and supported communities.  

The Fitwel building certification is a commercial building rating system that provides guidelines on how to design and operate healthier buildings. It is operated by The Centre for Active Design. 

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is a sustainability assessment method that is used for master-planning projects, infrastructure and buildings. BREEAM recognises and reflects the value in higher performing assets across the built environment lifecycle, from new construction to in-use and refurbishment. Using standards developed by BRE, BREEAM uses third party certification to assess an asset’s environmental, social and economic sustainability performance. 

The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building certification provides third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built to a standard that is environmentally responsible and promotes resource efficiency. Created by the U.S Green Building Council, LEED is committed to transforming buildings by using less energy and water, avoiding waste, saving on maintenance costs, improving indoor air quality, offering comfort to their occupants, and creating less environmental burden on their community. 

The Home Quality Mark (HQM) was created to serve the UK's house builders and the householders who buy and rent new homes. The HQM provides impartial information from independent experts on a new home’s sustainability credentials. It clearly indicates to householders high standards for running costs, health and wellbeing benefits, and environmental footprint associated with living in the home.