Exploring ESG in Real Estate | Podcast

Location Cubed

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives are no longer optional. Today, businesses are expected to measure their impact, communicate their values and prepare for growing climate and societal risks. In this episode of Weaver: Beyond the Numbers, Location Cubed, Ashly Pleasant joins hosts Howard Altshuler and Aaron Grisz to discuss the firm’s latest ESG report — and how organizations can build credible, scalable ESG programs that resonate with employees, clients and investors alike.

Key Points:

• ESG responsibilities, while fundamentally crucial for all organizations, are deeply significant in the realm of real estate due to the environmental, social and governance implications of property ownership and management.
• A solid ESG report reinforces a company’s corporate accountability and transparency while highlighting respective practices in environmental stewardship, social impact and governance norms.
• The ESG reports’ evolution is driven by continuous learning and adaptability, offering companies a means to maximize their capital returns, mitigate risks and attract both potential employees and tenants.

The discussion explores the growing importance of climate-related risk assessments, especially in the real estate sector. From wildfires to winter freezes, understanding physical vulnerabilities can improve business continuity planning, reduce insurance risk and serve as a competitive differentiator for tenants. As Ashly notes, landlords with ESG reporting may even have an edge when it comes to rental premiums — or at minimum, making it onto shortlists.

With interest in ESG reporting accelerating across industries, Ashly offers guidance on how companies can assess their internal capabilities and determine whether they need external support. “Fluffy” reports without substance, she warns, can damage credibility and lead to accusations of greenwashing. Instead, aligning with recognized standards like GRI, SASB and TCFD helps ensure consistency, comparability and trust.

“ESG reports today are expected to meet the standards of financial reporting. They need to be credible, data-backed and aligned with industry frameworks,” said Ashly.

Ashly also previews Weaver’s next ESG report, which will incorporate a double materiality assessment — a more rigorous approach that examines how a company is both impacted by and impacts society and the environment. In addition, Weaver will disclose its Scope 3 emissions from business travel, further enhancing transparency and alignment with evolving global expectations.

Organizations that approach ESG with structure, transparency and strategy will be best positioned to lead in a changing business landscape.

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