Introduction

Our ongoing pursuit of 'sustainability' and 'sustainable development' is one of the common threads that tie Investa together and we are recognised as a leader in this field.

The starting point for Investa’s Sustainability Platform is the commitment expressed in our Sustainability Policy. Our 2009 Sustainability Report describes the evolution of our approach to sustainability and the dimensions of this approach to integrating business activities and multiplying value:

  • Policies and governance
  • Integration
  • Lighter, Faster, Enduring
  • Anticipating the market
  • Capacity Building
  • Stakeholder Engagement

Global Sustainability Leader

Investa is a world leader in sustainability and, up until its delisting upon becoming a subsidiary of Morgan Stanley Real Estate in late 2007, was rated number one on the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) in both the real estate sector and the financial services super-sector.

Investa was one of only three Australian companies included in the Global 100 (G100) list of sustainable corporations announced at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2007.

In July 2008, Investa was awarded one of Australia’s most prestigious sustainability awards, the Banksia Climate Change Award.

These awards are in large part a reflection of our consistent improvements in sustainability performance as recorded in our sustainability reports. For example, between 2003-04 and 2006-07, Investa has reduced water consumption across its portfolio of commercial office buildings by 37 percent, electricity by 21 percent and natural gas by 43 percent. We are now diverting more than 60 percent of our tenants’ office waste from landfill to recycling and continue to maintain our 5-star safety accreditation from the National Safety Council of Australia.

Since 2003 we have cut greenhouse gas emissions by a total of more than 50,000 tonnes of CO2 through efficiency measures and renewable energy procurement and we now have 16 properties rated at 4.5 stars or higher using NABERS Energy.

Sustainable Responsible Investment

In 2007, Investa Funds Management became the first Australian property fund manager to receive SRI (Sustainable Responsible Investment) Certification for its two principal funds: Investa Diversified Office Fund (IDOF) and Investa Commercial Property Fund (ICPF). To complement this achievement, our signing of the UN’s Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) highlight our funds’ formal commitment to acquire, manage and dispose of assets in the manner described in the Investa Funds Management Limited SRI Guidelines (April 2007) which set out clear sustainability requirements. Investa Funds Management has been certified by RIAA according to the strict disclosure practices required under the Responsible Investment Certification Program. See www.responsibleinvestment.org for details.

Sustainable Responsible Investment. Certified by RIAA

Investa Sustainability Institute

Investa Property Group has established the Investa Sustainability Institute to conduct action research for sustainability in the built environment. It will conduct action research across the four areas of property development, building operations, responsible investment and public policy.

The Institute aims to be a collaborative venture between Investa and research, academic, industry, professional bodies and government organisations. It will be Australian-based but collaborate internationally.

Specifically, through our partnerships, we will:

  • Produce research on sustainable property development and operations
  • Apply research to property developments and operating buildings
  • Produce educational resources to promote sustainable property investment, development and operations.

Please go to the Institute’s website to find out more.