AXA Investment Managers – Real Assets (“AXA IM – Real Assets”), the leading real estate portfolio and asset manager in Europe, announces that, in line with its ambition to be a globally sustainable business, it is targeting 75% of total direct property assets under management to be certified with reputable sustainability labels by 2030.
AXA IM – Real Assets recognises the importance of implementing sustainability measures that reduce environmental impacts, improve the tenants’ wellbeing and set high standards for corporate governance. By targeting this level of certification, AXA IM – Real Assets will cement its position as both an industry leader in sustainability, as well as reducing operating costs and improving the long term value of assets, for the benefits of its investor clients and tenants.
AXA IM – Real Assets incorporates sustainability certifications in acquisitions, new developments and refurbishments of existing assets and currently has 21% of AUM certified including offices, residential, retail, hotels and logistics assets. Having implemented this measure in the majority of new developments in recent years, AXA IM – Real Assets has extended its scope for sustainability at its latest development in the City of London, 22 Bishopsgate, which aims to be the first building in London to adopt the new Delos WELL Building Standard, in addition to incorporating a triple glazed ultra-efficient façade, which reduces the asset’s total carbon emissions by 25%.
In 2015, in its fifth year of participation in the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB), AXA IM – Real Assets submitted over 60% of its €49 billion portfolio invested in direct properties, making it one of the largest and longest standing contributors. Four current funds under management achieved GRESB’s highest accolade, a Green Star Rating, while one of the funds has been rated as Group Leader amongst its peers, achieving a 1st place ranking in the office and residential sector. AXA IM – Real Assets also received an improved score across the entirety of submitted funds, achieving an enhanced result across the entire business over the past year.
To achieve this industry-leading vision, AXA IM – Real Assets relies on its dedicated global sustainability team which is based across Zurich, London, Paris and New York, and has a proven track record of designing and implementing sustainable environments to live and work in. The team works very closely with the operational asset management & transactions teams and is supported by 13 local correspondents worldwide.
Anne Kavanagh, Global Head of Asset Management & Transactions, Real Assets, said: “As the global property industry evolves and expectations shift, AXA IM – Real Assets understands the importance of sustainability certifications in accordance with our responsibility to the environment. Our overriding aim is to create better environments for people to live and work in, and through reducing environmental impacts, improving social practices and setting clear goals, we believe we can achieve this. Our target of 75% of assets to be certified by 2030 not only meets these goals, but also creates long term value for our clients and investors by enhancing existing assets.”
To find out more, please see AXA IM – Real Assets’ 2014-15 sustainability report: https://realassets.sustainability-report.axa-im.com/
