Sustainability Priorities

How can we reduce our carbon footprint? What’s important to stakeholders? Answering such questions shapes our sustainability priorities.

Materiality Assessment

Each year, we ask individuals from key functions within our organization to help us define high-priority sustainability issues that could have a significant impact on our business and are of greatest interest to our stakeholders.

Insights are derived from ongoing stakeholder engagement as well as reviews of peer sustainability reports, our own business performance, and general and sector-specific sustainability standards such as the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark Survey (GRESB), the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards and the GRI Construction and Real Estate Sector Supplement (CRESS).

Priority topics inform our strategic business objectives and are discussed in our public performance reporting.

Materiality Matrix

GWLRA’s Strategic Business Objectives

All

Achieve Operational Excellence

Deliver Strong, Long-Term Returns

Attract and Retain Top Talent

Minimize Our Environmental Footprint

Contribute to Stronger, Livable Communities

Operate with Integrity and Trust

Stakeholder Interest
Low Medium High
Low Medium High
Impact on GWLRA’s Business
  • Stakeholder Engagement
  • Green Buildings
  • Ethics and Integrity
  • Compliance and Risk Management
  • Responsible Investments
  • Tenant Satisfaction
  • Community Development
  • Environmental Management
  • Corporate Governance
  • Safety and Security
  • Talent Diversity and Development

Sustainable Development Goals

Aligning our business with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is an important part of our commitment to being a responsible, values-based business that creates positive impacts in society. Three SDGs were identified during our most recent materiality assessment as areas where we can make the greatest contribution:

SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

We continue to develop our clients’ buildings in a way that supports safe, inclusive and sustainable communities, while respecting their cultural and natural heritage.

SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

We play an important role in encouraging the use of sustainable materials through our procurement processes with third parties.

SDG 13 - Climate Action

SDG 13: Climate Action

We are reducing the carbon impact of our clients’ properties and working to ensure their assets are resilient and adaptive to climate-related risks and natural hazards.