At F&C REIT we are committed to delivering above average returns to our clients while delivering positive environmental social & economic benefits for clients and tenants. As a result we promote the highest standards of corporate governance and are dedicated to socially responsible investment. We were among the first in the industry to encompass such an approach. In addition to the considerable ethical considerations, sustainability issues can have a significant effect on business performance. As a result, we believe it is important to identify these and manage a coherent sustainability policy. This includes addressing the growing occupier demand for sustainable, energy efficient buildings, as well as seeking to minimise the environmental and social impacts of building construction or refurbishment.

Our approach to sustainability falls into 3 broad categories:

Engagement: This includes engaging with our major occupiers to improve the environmental efficiency of our buildings, informing  the selection process for appointing external consultants, project managers, consultants and suppliers along with encouraging joint venture partners to adopt best practice principles.

Property management: This includes activities such as carrying out regular maintenance / improvements to ensure we operate environmentally responsible buildings that offer safe working environments to the benefit of both clients and tenants; monitoring consumption of energy and water and setting targets for reduction; promoting methods of reducing waste production and increasing recycling; using natural resources efficiently and procuring items and materials that have low environmental and social impacts. 

Governance: We aim to implement and govern responsible property investment (RPI) through a range of activities including assessing the materiality of our impacts, setting appropriate policies, targets for improvement and monitoring performance, as well as complying with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements. 

RPI issues are addressed on a quarterly basis by the Property Green steering group which is led by our Sustainability Manager, who is responsible for the ongoing review and implementation of the RPI strategy, and for quarterly reporting to F&C’s CSR Committee. 

Our approach is supported by our commitment and membership of agencies which promote socially responsible investment activity, such as the United Nations Environmental Programme Finance Initiative’s Property Working Group and associations with the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change, and the Investment Property Forum.