Last week I was in Barcelona at the inaugural conference – The District. It brought together a range of specialists across real estate with a focus on investment. I had been invited for a panel discussion on how the real estate sector is contributing to delivery of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The main points I made include:
- That the SDGs are more thematic in nature than Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), factors.
- The SDGs are globally recognised and can be integrated into business strategy.
- However, it’s important in linking the SDGs to strategy that this is grounded in specific metrics i.e. there are 17 SDGs with a total of 169 targets.
- And that in the next iteration of these global goals, that we focus on a ‘just transition’ in terms of addressing, mitigating, and adapting, to climate change.
The SDGs form an important part of my conversations with clients. I work with them to identify the most relevant SDGs, and the specific targets they are contributing to. This is done both in the context of developing an approach to ESG, and in identifying ways to effectively communicate business strategy.
And watch the video where I discuss some of the key challenges, and opportunities, for real estate, going forward.
Get in touch if you’d like to know more about working with me and how I can help in developing your approach to ESG.
