CSR
It is becoming increasingly common for companies, particularly major corporates, to publish Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) statements and policies. These set out their approach to environmental and social issues that are material to their business.
While there is currently no legal requirement for CSR reporting, the trend is upwards, with 45% of S&P 500 companies publishing annual reports. Companies with CSR policies will normally have targets for reducing their negative environmental and social impacts and will collect data on, for example, their consumption of energy and water and their generation of waste. Companies that have CSR policies and report on their performance are likely to be interested in the environmental credentials of the building(s) they own and/or occupy. A building’s ability to support an organisation’s CSR policies can give it an advantage over a similar but less sustainable building for this type of tenant.
Key issues to consider:
- Does your client have a CSR policy and could it impact on building choice?
- Can the building support your client’s CSR policy?
- Is the building owner willing to engage and work together on environmental matters (e.g. through a Green lease or similar?)