Colliers has released its third annual Impact Report, laying out the organisation’s path to contribute towards a more sustainable and equitable future.
The global report highlights the efforts of Colliers, who have 18,000 property professionals and operations in 66 countries around the world.
Colliers first launched its global environment, social, and governance (ESG) strategy in 2021 with a focus on three pillars: environment, inclusiveness, and health and wellbeing.
This is particularly relevant for New Zealand, given the Government has passed legislation making climate-related disclosures mandatory for some large financial market participants, starting from the 2023 financial year.
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The requirement applies to large publicly listed companies, insurers, banks, non-bank deposit takers, and investment managers and will impact around 200 entities.
The climate-related disclosure framework is structured around four thematic areas that represent core elements of how organisations operate, including governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics and targets. This will push organisations to put more thought into their climate strategies for the future.
Gareth Fraser, Chief Executive Officer at Colliers New Zealand, says the firm has a key role to play in the global efforts of Colliers.
“ESG considerations are front of mind for all of the service lines across our organisation and the clients we deal with on a day-to-day basis,” Fraser says.
“Moving towards a more sustainable future is going to present positive outcomes and we are really proud of the steps we have taken in New Zealand to make a strong contribution to ensuring Colliers meets its own ambitious ESG targets, and those of our clients.”
In elevating the environment, Colliers has set a global goal to reduce emissions in line with the 1.5 degrees Celsius programme and achieve net zero in its own operations by 2030. Colliers has also launched a global Net-Zero Innovation Working Group and has further plans to help properties meet their emissions targets.
The firm’s ESG experts are making an impact locally. Te Kupenga, a 17,000sq m commercial office building at 155 Fanshawe Street in central Auckland that is managed by Colliers, was recently named as one of New Zealand’s first operational ‘carbon zero’ buildings, certified by Toitū and the New Zealand Green Building Council.
Colliers is also the exclusive leasing agent for the Mānawa Bay outlet shopping centre development close to Auckland Airport, who announced last month it will have New Zealand’s first-ever fully electric shopping centre food court, with zero natural or LPG gas available on-site.
“We’ve got exceptional depth in our sustainability experts across the Asia-Pacific region and it’s great to be able to utilise these skills to accelerate the success of our New Zealand clients,” Fraser says.
Globally, Colliers has a goal to achieve 40 per cent female share of total employees and management roles as part of its inclusivity pillar, which Colliers New Zealand has already met.
Fraser says Colliers New Zealand continues to prioritise and champion inclusivity, while contributing to the health and wellbeing of their employees through creating sustainable and productive workspaces.
“We are a founding partner and sponsor of Property Council's Diversity & Inclusion initiatives, including the first gender research report for the property industry. These initiatives are driven internally by our leaders, people team, and passionate team members who have made significant progress in elevating inclusiveness at Colliers through the expansion of our parental benefits and improved access to flexibility and good mental health care and benefits.
“Companies that integrate health and wellbeing into their employee value proposition will be better positioned to attract and retain skilled talent amid increasing competition. Therefore, our commitment extends beyond our people and into our client services.”
- Article supplied by Colliers
