An Integrated Approach to ESG
In this Q&A, Lori Mabardi discusses the state of ESG in real estate, and the challenges and opportunities of aiming for net-zero carbon in the built environment.
"At Barings, we are leaning into this moment, acknowledging the complexity and criticality of integrating ESG into property investing," says Lori Mabardi, ESG senior director, U.S. real estate equity. She discusses how real estate investors are warming up to ESG and argues inflationary pressures can actually be a tailwind to help the industry achieve its sustainability targets.
How is Barings making progress toward its sustainability goals? Have you committed to achieving net zero?
We have set corporate goals pertaining to our operational emissions to start. These include short-term and long-term operational greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets set in July 2021. We used carbon off sets to achieve global operational GHG neutrality for 2019 onwards and have set the target of achieving net zero in our global operations by 2030. We know that off setting our emissions is only a short-term solution and that to achieve our long-term goal of net-zero operations we must encourage emissions reduction and behavior changes.
