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#Smart Cities Industry ESG Study
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Sustainable Investing in the Smart Cities Industry: An ESG Perspective
Burgeoning urbanization, technology advancements and emphasis on sustainability have opened avenues of growth in the smart cities industry. ESG policies have received an uptake as cities continue to grow in both number and population. According to the World Bank, the global urban population will surge to 6 billion by 2045. Technology advances have furthered digitization and companies expect smart cities to be catalysts for sustainable development. With cities grappling with climate change, ESG has become pivotal in complementing the applications of technologies and data to enhance city planning, accountability and engagement with citizens. 
The need for action against climate change has become imperative for a low-carbon society and to implement sustainable practices across the value chain. For instance, Singapore has implemented Green Plan to minimize the waste sent to landfills by 30% by 2030, plant one million more trees and quadruple solar energy deployment by 2025. 
A bullish ESG policy can provide a robust approach for stakeholders to analyze and address socio-environmental and governance challenges. In essence, strategic planning in line with national objectives, solid ESG regulation and regulatory compliance will remain critical to bolstering the brand position. For instance, real-time IoT data have become sought-after to help city governments in managing and monitoring environmental policies. 
Key Companies in this theme
    • ABB Limited
    • AGT International
    • AVEVA Group plc.
    • Cisco Systems, Inc.
    • Ericsson
    • General Electric
Discover more regarding the practices and strategies being implemented by industry participants form the Smart Cities Industry ESG Thematic Report, 2023, published by Astra ESG Solutions
Environmental Perspective
The prevalence of greenhouse gas emissions in cities has reinforced the need to strengthen the environmental profile. According to the data cited in the UN specialized agency for ICTs, cities contribute over 70% of carbon emissions globally every year. Digital solutions, such as smart grids, have shown promising signs of reducing emissions and fostering a move towards a clean energy society. Smart grids with predictive analytics and real-time monitoring have gained traction to reduce pressure on aging infrastructure, integrate renewables and lower costs and minimize peak loads.
To illustrate, in December 2022, Siemens won a new contract for grid control and smart metering infrastructure in Egypt. The project, under the aegis of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is valued at EUR 40 million (roughly USD 43 million) and will implement state-of-the-art software to boost the stability, efficiency and reliability of the power grid while minimizing electricity distribution losses. Investments in smart grids could be a significant leap to implementing a sustainable practice across the value chain. 
Social Perspective
While the low-carbon future is paving the way to an environmentally friendly society, social facets, including diversity & inclusion, workplace safety and employee engagement, have become invaluable to leverage social progress. For instance, in ABB, 40.5% of early talent hires were women in 2021, with revised Group-wide guidelines for flexible work practices. Strategies to underpin social performance encompassing gender, age, ethnicity and sexual orientation have become pronounced. It is gearing up to increase the proportion of women in senior management roles by two-fold (as part of its Global Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2030). 
The Switzerland-headquartered company also rolled out a gender-neutral parental leave program offering four weeks of paid leave for secondary caregivers and 12 weeks for primary caregivers. Besides, it received an employee engagement score of 74 out of 100 in its 2021 employee Engagement Survey. Moreover, over 7,600 ABB managers and other employees completed the “Interrupt Unconscious Bias” program.
Is your business one of participants to the Global Smart Cities Industry? Contact us for focused consultation around ESG Investing, and help you build sustainable business practices.
Governance Perspective
An exponential rise in smart cities has put the spotlight on the governance pillar, including transparency, ecosystem governance, ethical practices, funding and supply chain management policies. Stakeholders are expected to focus on undergirding governance to help employees make ethical and fair decisions and provide a foundation for effective strategic leadership. For instance, AVEVA has an Audit Committee to monitor and oversee risk management & control; a Nomination and Governance Committee to review ESG, board composition and succession planning; a Disclosure Committee to decide if information should be disclosed to the market; and a Remuneration Committee to review board and senior management remuneration. In addition, the CEO regularly updates the board about the culture of wellbeing, inclusivity, developments concerning diversity, equity and inclusion and opportunity for employees and communities. 
Forward-looking companies strive to achieve carbon neutrality in their operations and foster responsible business practices and social cohesion. In October 2021, The City of London chose Nextech AR Solutions to provide a mini-metaverse experience at Harmony at London Wall Place. The AR-powered interactive artwork and music exhibitions will underscore inclusion as the metaverse will provide easy access to these experiences. It is worth noting that the global smart cities market size touched USD 1,090.64 billion in 2021 and will register a 24.2% CAGR from 2022 to 2030. 
About Astra – ESG Solutions By Grand View Research
Astra is the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) arm of Grand View Research Inc. – a global market research publishing & management consulting firm.
Astra offers comprehensive ESG thematic assessment & scores across diverse impact & socially responsible investment topics, including both public and private companies along with intuitive dashboards. Our ESG solutions are powered by robust fundamental & alternative information. Astra specializes in consulting services that equip corporates and the investment community with the in-depth ESG research and actionable insight they need to support their bottom lines and their values. We have supported our clients across diverse ESG consulting projects & advisory services, including climate strategies & assessment, ESG benchmarking, stakeholder engagement programs, active ownership, developing ESG investment strategies, ESG data services, build corporate sustainability reports. Astra team includes a pool of industry experts and ESG enthusiasts who possess extensive end-end ESG research and consulting experience at a global level.
For more ESG Thematic reports, please visit Astra ESG Solutions, powered by Grand View Research
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mbaesgs-blog · 2 years
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Best MBA Courses in Bangalore
By enrolling in an MBA programme at MBA-ESG College, you can grow in your profession in one of the greatest ways possible. You will obtain a flexible perspective on several management facets in addition to superior management skills. Additionally, you can select from a variety of electives and specialisations to expand your knowledge and experience. You can opt to specialise in something if you have a particular interest or objective in mind.
In both the public and commercial sectors, MBA graduates are compensated highly. Some of them even start their own businesses as young adults. They pick up management abilities that are vital to business development and operation. Numerous prestigious business schools in Bangalore provide MBA programmes that instruct students in all the fundamentals of corporate management. Additionally, they acquire expertise that will enable them to positively influence the economy as a whole. Finance, human resources, statistics, and economics are just a few of the topics covered in the MBA programme.
Your career can develop with an MBA from MBA-ESG College. It not only paves the way for a better work, but it also widens your range of possibilities. Additionally, you will get a chance to talk to intelligent people from various backgrounds. You will gain a global perspective as a result of this.
Pursuing an MBA course in Bangalore is the best option if you have ambition and want to work in a sector that is expanding. The city is the perfect location to pursue a top-notch management education due to its global diversity, industrial hub, and proximity to international corporations. As a result, obtaining an MBA from one of Bangalore's best business schools is a solid way to break into the corporate world.
You can develop a strong network in the corporate sector by earning an MBA. You will interact with academics, other students, and a sizable alumni network. Even though these connections might seem useful, it's vital to remember that very few students really succeed in landing such well-paying professions.
There are numerous top business schools in Bangalore, and the MBA programme demands sophisticated commercial and statistical skills. You'll also need to have excellent analytical abilities and a thorough knowledge of computer science and information systems. To succeed in your profession, you will also require an interest in management's future. You will have the chance to acquire crucial expertise and abilities you'll need in the corporate world through the MBA programme.
One of the most sought-after degrees in the business world is an MBA. They typically last one to two years and give you a wide range of specialisation opportunities. If you have at least three years of professional experience, it's a smart idea to pursue an Executive MBA. With this option, you can obtain an MBA in less time without having to complete an internship.
Finding the Best MBA College in Bangalore is preferable because an MBA can promote your profession and help you develop more swiftly. You may even be able to shift careers with the aid of an MBA. You'll be more flexible with your time and able to learn more information in less time. Additionally, you can keep working while you study, which is quite advantageous for people who wish to improve in their careers. Additionally, you'll be able to network with others who share your interests and advance your profession.
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sandlerresearch · 3 years
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Sustainability in Travel and Tourism - Thematic Research published on
https://www.sandlerresearch.org/sustainability-in-travel-and-tourism-thematic-research.html
Sustainability in Travel and Tourism - Thematic Research
Sustainability in Travel and Tourism – Thematic Research
Summary
Sustainability has been a major theme in the Travel & Tourism sector for a number of years. However, it is now becoming a necessity for tourism companies to incorporate sustainability into operations, and it is an aspect of business that will continue to grow in importance year by year. Pre-COVID-19, tourism was one of the most powerful and fastest growing sectors in the world. Robust growth in international travel has brought with it unsustainable impacts, which have pushed the issue of sustainability to the forefront of many companies’ agendas, due to governmental and consumer pressure. Travel & Tourism is a sector that is often scrutinized in terms of its progress on sustainability as its development has regularly been accommodated for at the sacrifice of the environment, local communities and sometimes SMEs (Small and medium-sized enterprises).
This thematic research report takes an in-depth look at sustainability in Travel & Tourism. The players section outlines the main companies that are experiencing success in this theme, as well as the companies that are lagging in terms of sustainability. A thematic briefing then looks at the three main pillars of sustainability: environmental, social and governance. These pillars are then discussed in relation to Travel and Tourism, assessing the impacts on different industries. Specific technology, macroeconomic and enterprise trends that have been shaped by the push for sustainability are then outlined. Additionally, company case studies and recommendations are included for CEOs and senior executives, detailing individual cases of how travel and tourism companies are either leading or lagging in this theme.
“Adapting operations and creating initiatives to address environmental, social and governance issues allows companies to benefit from an array of advantages, such as improved positioning in the consumer’s mindset and a long-term reduction in operating costs.
Key Highlights
– According to GlobalData’s Job Analytics Database, active jobs involved in the theme of sustainability increased by (xx) between 4 February 2021 and 1 March 2021, showcasing how the increased demand for sustainability from consumers and national governments is being translated in to new job openings based around sustainability in the tourism sector. This increased demand is also being translated in to company filings in the tourism sector. According to GlobalData’s filings analytics database, ‘sustainability’ was the fourth most mentioned theme in 2020, with (xx) mentions, this was an (xx) increase from the previous year, illustrating its rapidly growing importance from a company point of view. – Venice and Prague are not the only cities to have recently unveiled strategies to enhance social sustainability through potentially attracting higher value tourists. However, these cities are somewhat dependent on inbound tourism and a large portion of their visitors have always been lower value tourists that can bring negative impacts with them. City officials should be careful not to completely shut out these visitor types as they provide a valuable and reliable stream of income for the whole of the city. – The evolution of smart cities will continue to shape sustainability in urban areas from a tourism perspective. Internet-of-Things (IoT) is the key technological point for the development of smart urban environments through the use of aggregated data, integrated in a single decisional platform. By using this technology to gather urban data and improve performance and management, cities can rapidly improve performance in relation to sustainability. Examples related to tourism include smart solutions for parking and highway speed controls. Smart cities also provide mobility and resource allocation through the use of big data, allowing city officials to be proactive instead of reactive, which helps to minimize the risk of future unsustainable impacts.
Scope
– This report provides an overview of sustainability in Travel & Tourism. – It identifies the strong link between sustainability and Travel & Tourism, outlined through the ESG framework. – This report provides a detailed industry analysis of sustainability in Travel & Tourism, discussing major technology, macroeconomic and enterprise trends. – We highlight companies leading and lagging in sustainability, such as Melia, Air France-KLM and TUI.
Reasons to Buy
– Understand the impact of sustainability on the tourism industry, using the widely adopted ESG framework and examples to help you understand how you can adapt and understand this theme. – Assess the strategies that companies are adopting when operating sustainably. – Discover companies that are lagging in this space. – To view real-world case studies and trends created by the push for sustainability from across the Travel & Tourism sector. – GlobalData’s thematic research ecosystem is a single, integrated global research platform that provides an easy-to-use framework for tracking all themes across all companies in all sectors. It has a proven track record of identifying the important themes early, enabling companies to make the right investments ahead of the competition, and secure that all-important competitive advantage.
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csrgood · 5 years
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Akamai Named SBER’s Outstanding Corporate Leader of 2019/ Intuit’s Sean Kinghorn Named SBER’s Outstanding Executive of 2019
Sustainability Roundtable, Inc. (SR Inc), the leader in outsourced Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) assistance, announced Akamai Technologies as the Sustainable Business & Enterprise Roundtable (SBER) Outstanding Corporate Leader of 2019 and Sean Kinghorn, Intuit’s Global Sustainability Leader as the SBER Outstanding Corporate Executive of 2019. SR Inc made that announcement at its fourth quarter Executive Symposium in Washington DC as it released proprietary Executive Guidance and Tools to Member-clients on “Charting a Profitable Path to Net Zero Emissions” based on Member-client Akamai Technologies, Bloomberg, Cisco and Intuit case studies.   
For more than a decade SR Inc has assisted more than 75 Fortune 500 and growth companies on a multi-year basis in their move to more sustainable/ESG high-performance.  Each year with each client SR Inc performs a detailed Management Diagnostic and comparison to peer enterprises.  Intuit and Akamai Technologies have increasingly scored across all aspects of corporate sustainability/ESG as highest performing companies in SR Inc’s 20+ Member Group of global Information Communication Technology companies. 
Akamai is a leading global content delivery network that provides edge security, web and mobile performance, and over-the-top media solutions. Its global platform spans nearly 270,000 servers in nearly 4,000 locations; 1,700 networks; in 137 countries. Despite a greater than 50% increase in network traffic over the past five years, Akamai’s energy and carbon usage has grown at only 1/10th of that rate. Renewable energy and network efficiency are the keys to this decoupling of business growth from energy consumption and carbon emissions. Akamai set 2020 goals to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions below 2015 levels by sourcing renewable energy for 50% of global network operations and to reduce network energy and scope 2 GHG intensity per unit traffic per year by 30%. Akamai also set a 2020 goal to process 100% of its electronic waste at e-Stewards certified facilities. As part of Akamai’s strategy to meet its goals and to positively affect communities, the following initiatives have been implemented:  
Working with strategic partners such as Iron Mountain to provide data center users with renewable electricity. Akamai was a launch partner of Iron Mountain’s Green Power Pass in 2019, a data center focused renewable energy reporting solution, the first of its kind in the industry.
Procuring Power Purchase Agreements and Buyer Organized Aggregated Virtual Power Purchase Agreements (VPPA) such as the Buyer Organized Aggregated VPPA in 2018 entered by Apple, Akamai, Etsy and Swiss Re for a 125-MW wind farm in Illinois and a 165-MW solar farm in Virginia.
Akamai’s new global headquarters, which opened in Cambridge, Massachusetts in November 2019, prioritized sustainability in the design. The building’s core and shell were built to achieve LEED Gold v4 certification standards as defined by the U.S. Green Building Council.
Offering Public Leadership on renewables with a recent example at the Massachusetts State House in supporting the 100% Renewable Energy Act – which would transition the state to 100% renewable electricity by 2035.
“From the CEO to genius software architects, Akamai takes seriously their opportunity to make the internet more secure and sustainable across their nearly 4,000 data center locations globally.  That leadership is exemplified in many aspects of their achievements – from their collaborative approach to secure a highly scalable model for supplier-provided RECs for their data centers while driving new renewable energy to building a new school with local property tax dollars that flow from their VPPA to help finance new wind energy in Texas” – David Osborn, SR Inc’s COO & Senior Advisor.
SR Inc recognized Sean Kinghorn in part for his leadership in helping Intuit, makers of TurboTax, QuickBooks and Mint, become a global leader in the movement to climate positive companies. Intuit has committed to reducing emissions 50X more than the 2018 emissions of its own operations in the next decade.
For six years Sean has led in developing and implementing Intuit’s sustainability strategy that has maximized financial savings and reduced emissions as Intuit and its global portfolio of mostly leased space has grown.  Intuit set original 2015 goals to reduce its operational carbon footprint 50% by 2025, reduce its buildings’ carbon footprint 80% by 2025, and procure 100% renewable energy by 2030. Sean led the efforts to enable Intuit to surpass those goals for scopes 1 and 2 emissions, globally, five years early. Intuit’s bold new goal, announced during Climate Week in New York City, is to reduce carbon emissions 50 times greater than its own 2018 emissions footprint by 2030. To get there, Intuit will amplify its partnerships with SR Inc and with Project Drawdown, the world’s leading resource for climate solutions. The following initiatives are part of Intuit’s three-pronged strategy of boosting energy efficiency internally, investing in renewable energy, and buying verified strategy aligned carbon offsets:
Energy Efficiency program featuring green building standards and initiatives to address supply chain, business travel, data center, and commuting emissions.
Investing in renewables by committing to green tariffs and long-term on- and off-site renewable energy projects while operating a nearly 100% leased office portfolio.
Leading SR Inc’s Net Zero Consortium for Buyers in partnering with other Member-clients through Buyer Organized Aggregated Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) to procure for Intuit the Renewable Energy Credits created by 10 MW of Texas Wind that will enable Intuit to meet its 100% renewable energy goal 10 years early.
Intuit’s “Purely Green” initiative which enables customers, employees and business partners in Texas to buy wind energy at or below the price of traditional grid power.
Partnering with Project Drawdown to purchase carbon offsets for emissions Intuit is unable to eliminate to help power prosperity through projects across the world.
“I’m honored to be named an Outstanding Corporate Leader by SR Inc and it has been a privilege to advance Intuit’s leadership to a best-in-class climate positive strategy. As the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has made clear, driving to a Net Zero Emissions should be the minimum goal of a responsible global company. Partnering with firms like SR Inc. and benefiting from the shared services of Renewable Energy Procurement Services (REPS) has been critical to help us drive Net Zero results with a cost advantage through a utility scale renewables that aggregates the demand of smaller firms. Together we can make an outstanding – and profitable – difference at growing scale for our company and for solutions for the planet.” – Sean Kinghorn, head of global sustainability at Intuit.
“It’s SR Inc’s great privilege to work with inspirational leaders at some of the best managed companies in the world; none is more impressive than Sean Kinghorn and none has provided more efficient leadership to both Intuit and to the corporate sustainability field globally than Sean as he helps customers, suppliers and peer enterprises understand they too can chart a strategic and profitable path to net zero emissions.” - SR Inc CEO & Founder, Jim Boyle.
About Akamai
Akamai secures and delivers digital experiences for the world’s largest companies. Akamai’s intelligent edge platform surrounds everything, from the enterprise to the cloud, so customers and their businesses can be fast, smart, and secure. Top brands globally rely on Akamai to help them realize competitive advantage through agile solutions that extend the power of their multi-cloud architectures. Akamai keeps decisions, apps and experiences closer to users than anyone — and attacks and threats far away. Akamai’s portfolio of edge security, web and mobile performance, enterprise access and video delivery solutions is supported by unmatched customer service, analytics and 24/7/365 monitoring. To learn why the world’s top brands trust Akamai, visit www.akamai.com, blogs.akamai.com, or @Akamai on Twitter. 
About Intuit Inc
Intuit’s mission is to Power Prosperity Around the World. Our global products and platforms, including TurboTax, QuickBooks, Mint and Turbo, are designed to empower consumers, self-employed and small businesses to improve their financial lives, finding them more money with the least amount of work, while giving them complete confidence in their actions and decisions. Our innovative ecosystem of financial management solutions serves approximately 50 million customers worldwide, unleashing the power of many for the prosperity of one. Please visit us for the latest news and in-depth information about Intuit and its brands and find us on social.
About Sustainability Roundtable Inc 
Sustainability Roundtable, Inc. (SR Inc) is the leader in outsourced Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) assistance. SR Inc provides confidential, membership-based, Strategic Advisory & Support Services to help management teams set goals, drive progress, and report results internally and externally as they lead their organizations to greater sustainability. Customer, talent, investor, and regulator interest in more sustainable and healthy corporate operations increases every year.  To help enterprises meet the expectations of these important stakeholders, SR Inc helps enterprises with industry specific ESG programs across all areas of corporate operations with a special focus on solution assessments, Sustainably Healthy Workplaces, as well as the procurement of on-site and off-site renewable energy and advanced energy systems. For information regarding Membership in SR Inc’s Sustainable Business & Enterprise Roundtable service, please visit our website at www.sustainround.com or call us at 617-682-3630.
source: https://www.csrwire.com/press_releases/43374-Akamai-Named-SBER-s-Outstanding-Corporate-Leader-of-2019-Intuit-s-Sean-Kinghorn-Named-SBER-s-Outstanding-Executive-of-2019?tracking_source=rss
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charlesccastill · 6 years
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Modern European Office Buildings: Combining Sustainable, Smart, Flex, Services and Sweet
PARIS–Considering the ever-increasing importance of understanding how the needs of the users of office buildings are evolving, the six listed office companies decided in H2 2018 on an innovative approach, usually applied to the consumer goods industry. A number of focus groups, comprising selected office users, have been asked to share their vision of the future of the modern office building. This analysis is a first for the European office real estate industry.
The focus groups included 18 meetings and interviewed 140 end-users in the UK, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain and Italy on their vision of the future user experience, the evolution of the workplace, the evolution of organisational structures and more generally the role of tomorrow’s office building in terms of use and service.
The end users who participated draw 3 principal drivers:
1. Sociological: the role of the company office will evolve to respond to workers’ needs to have meetings, collaborate, socialize and feel fulfilled at work
2. Environmental: in the future, employees will be much more demanding and much more questioning in terms of what a potential employer will be doing to tackle climate change
3. Technological: AI, Big Data, robotics, hyper connectivity will affect the way people work and connect as well as the organization within the companies
They also described 5 archetypes for future offices:
1. Sustainable office:
more sustainable and natural building materials;
sensor-enabled workspaces for energy efficiency optimisation;
spaces that encourage a green conscience among employees
2. Smart office:
mobile office: uninterrupted access regardless of physical space (in/out of the office);
seamless network access enabled by WiFi-friendly, non-blocking materials;
remote technology aimed at recreating/enhancing human interactions;
Bio-metrics uses for security (access to buildings) & instant profile uploads.
3. Flex-office 2.0:
modular spaces: walls for all uses (open space, collaborative, confidential);
modular furniture to accommodate the various ways people like to work
4. Serviced office:
multiple on-site facilities to facilitate work life balance;
shower, bathroom facilities, and large equipped kitchens to share meals;
5. Sweet office:
office spaces similar to home/cafés in terms of design and well-being;
incorporation of office spaces for recreational use and relaxation;
adaptable features: ergonomic seating, adjustable lighting, temperature, & music;
warm tones of décor and walls that change their view and/or scent.
The focus groups were conducted among a population of both younger and more experienced professionals working in traditional offices or flexible working spaces throughout urban locations in Europe. Office end-users were recruited among the whole market and not among the 6 REIT’s clients. Their opinions reflect their own views. An abstract of the focus groups results is attached.
Olivier Elamine (alstria), Manfredi Catella (COIMA RES), Pere Viñolas Serra (Colonial), Méka Brunel (Gecina), Toby Courtauld (Great Portland Estates plc) and Bernd Stahli (NSI) declared in a joint statement:
“The main outcome of the detailed information and data that has been gathered through the focus groups is that listed companies to a large extent are already designing and offering to the market the buildings of 2030. However, we need to maintain our innovation pace and continue to offer best in class products to our clients if we want to stay ahead of the game. Our end users have a very strong and clear view of their needs and what they expect their workspace to look like by 2030. By listening directly to them without intermediaries, we have gathered very strong insights about the likely evolution of our market. It is clear that offices are more than ever the preferred choice for our end-users. Despite the technology, the need to meet, to share and interact within a dedicated space, in the most central locations, is growing, but “co-working” is not the only emerging subject: there are other revolutions.”
alstria, COIMA RES, Colonial, Gecina, Great Portland Estates and NSI created in December 2017 a think tank aiming to group together the sustainability and innovation best practices of the six European REITs and to selectively conduct joint research.
About Focus Groups:
A focus group is a small, but demographically diverse group of people and whose reactions are studied especially in market research or political analysis in guided or open discussions about a new product or something else to determine the reactions that can be expected from a larger population. It is a form of qualitative research consisting of interviews in which a group of people are asked about their perceptions, opinions, beliefs, and attitudes towards a product, service, concept, advertisement, idea, or packaging.
Gecina owns, manages and develops property holdings worth 19.3 billion euros at end-December 2018. As a specialist for centrality and uses, the Group is building its business around Europe’s leading office portfolio, with nearly 97% located in the Paris Region, and a diversification division with residential assets and student residences. Gecina has put sustainable innovation at the heart of its strategy to create value and anticipate the expectations of around 100,000 customers and end users, thanks to the dedication and expertise of its staff, who are committed to an understated, fluid and inclusive city. To offer its customers high-quality services and support their changing needs, Gecina has launched YouFirst, its relational brand.
Gecina is a French real estate investment trust (SIIC) listed on Euronext Paris, and is part of the SBF 120, CAC Next 20, CAC Large 60, Euronext 100, FTSE4Good, DJSI Europe and World, Stoxx Global ESG Leaders and Vigeo indices. In line with its commitments to the community, Gecina has created a company foundation, which is focused on protecting the environment and supporting all forms of disability.
from boston condos ford realtor https://bostonrealestatetimes.com/modern-european-office-buildings-combining-sustainable-smart-flex-services-and-sweet/
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esglatestmarketnews · 2 years
Text
ESG-based approach Becomes Pivotal in Smart Cities Industry
Burgeoning urbanization, technology advancements and emphasis on sustainability have opened avenues of growth in the smart cities industry. ESG policies have received an uptake as cities continue to grow in both number and population. According to the World Bank, the global urban population will surge to 6 billion by 2045. Technology advances have furthered digitization and companies expect smart cities to be catalysts for sustainable development. With cities grappling with climate change, ESG has become pivotal in complementing the applications of technologies and data to enhance city planning, accountability and engagement with citizens. 
The need for action against climate change has become imperative for a low-carbon society and to implement sustainable practices across the value chain. For instance, Singapore has implemented Green Plan to minimize the waste sent to landfills by 30% by 2030, plant one million more trees and quadruple solar energy deployment by 2025. 
A bullish ESG policy can provide a robust approach for stakeholders to analyze and address socio-environmental and governance challenges. In essence, strategic planning in line with national objectives, solid ESG regulation and regulatory compliance will remain critical to bolstering the brand position. For instance, real-time IoT data have become sought-after to help city governments in managing and monitoring environmental policies. 
Discover more regarding the practices and strategies being implemented by industry participants form the Smart Cities Industry ESG Thematic Report, 2023, published by Astra ESG Solutions
Environmental Perspective
The prevalence of greenhouse gas emissions in cities has reinforced the need to strengthen the environmental profile. According to the data cited in the UN specialized agency for ICTs, cities contribute over 70% of carbon emissions globally every year. Digital solutions, such as smart grids, have shown promising signs of reducing emissions and fostering a move towards a clean energy society. Smart grids with predictive analytics and real-time monitoring have gained traction to reduce pressure on aging infrastructure, integrate renewables and lower costs and minimize peak loads.
To illustrate, in December 2022, Siemens won a new contract for grid control and smart metering infrastructure in Egypt. The project, under the aegis of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is valued at EUR 40 million (roughly USD 43 million) and will implement state-of-the-art software to boost the stability, efficiency and reliability of the power grid while minimizing electricity distribution losses. Investments in smart grids could be a significant leap to implementing a sustainable practice across the value chain. 
Social Perspective
While the low-carbon future is paving the way to an environmentally friendly society, social facets, including diversity & inclusion, workplace safety and employee engagement, have become invaluable to leverage social progress. For instance, in ABB, 40.5% of early talent hires were women in 2021, with revised Group-wide guidelines for flexible work practices. Strategies to underpin social performance encompassing gender, age, ethnicity and sexual orientation have become pronounced. It is gearing up to increase the proportion of women in senior management roles by two-fold (as part of its Global Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2030). 
The Switzerland-headquartered company also rolled out a gender-neutral parental leave program offering four weeks of paid leave for secondary caregivers and 12 weeks for primary caregivers. Besides, it received an employee engagement score of 74 out of 100 in its 2021 employee Engagement Survey. Moreover, over 7,600 ABB managers and other employees completed the “Interrupt Unconscious Bias” program.
Is your business one of participants to the Global Smart Cities Industry? Contact us for focused consultation around ESG Investing, and help you build sustainable business practices.
Governance Perspective
An exponential rise in smart cities has put the spotlight on the governance pillar, including transparency, ecosystem governance, ethical practices, funding and supply chain management policies. Stakeholders are expected to focus on undergirding governance to help employees make ethical and fair decisions and provide a foundation for effective strategic leadership. For instance, AVEVA has an Audit Committee to monitor and oversee risk management & control; a Nomination and Governance Committee to review ESG, board composition and succession planning; a Disclosure Committee to decide if information should be disclosed to the market; and a Remuneration Committee to review board and senior management remuneration. In addition, the CEO regularly updates the board about the culture of wellbeing, inclusivity, developments concerning diversity, equity and inclusion and opportunity for employees and communities. 
Forward-looking companies strive to achieve carbon neutrality in their operations and foster responsible business practices and social cohesion. In October 2021, The City of London chose Nextech AR Solutions to provide a mini-metaverse experience at Harmony at London Wall Place. The AR-powered interactive artwork and music exhibitions will underscore inclusion as the metaverse will provide easy access to these experiences. It is worth noting that the global smart cities market size touched USD 1,090.64 billion in 2021 and will register a 24.2% CAGR from 2022 to 2030. 
About Astra – ESG Solutions By Grand View Research
Astra is the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) arm of Grand View Research Inc. – a global market research publishing & management consulting firm.
Astra offers comprehensive ESG thematic assessment & scores across diverse impact & socially responsible investment topics, including both public and private companies along with intuitive dashboards. Our ESG solutions are powered by robust fundamental & alternative information. Astra specializes in consulting services that equip corporates and the investment community with the in-depth ESG research and actionable insight they need to support their bottom lines and their values. We have supported our clients across diverse ESG consulting projects & advisory services, including climate strategies & assessment, ESG benchmarking, stakeholder engagement programs, active ownership, developing ESG investment strategies, ESG data services, build corporate sustainability reports. Astra team includes a pool of industry experts and ESG enthusiasts who possess extensive end-end ESG research and consulting experience at a global level.
For more ESG Thematic reports, please visit Astra ESG Solutions, powered by Grand View Research
0 notes
charlesccastill · 6 years
Text
Modern European Office Buildings: Combining Sustainable, Smart, Flex, Services and Sweet
PARIS–Considering the ever-increasing importance of understanding how the needs of the users of office buildings are evolving, the six listed office companies decided in H2 2018 on an innovative approach, usually applied to the consumer goods industry. A number of focus groups, comprising selected office users, have been asked to share their vision of the future of the modern office building. This analysis is a first for the European office real estate industry.
The focus groups included 18 meetings and interviewed 140 end-users in the UK, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain and Italy on their vision of the future user experience, the evolution of the workplace, the evolution of organisational structures and more generally the role of tomorrow’s office building in terms of use and service.
The end users who participated draw 3 principal drivers:
1. Sociological: the role of the company office will evolve to respond to workers’ needs to have meetings, collaborate, socialize and feel fulfilled at work
2. Environmental: in the future, employees will be much more demanding and much more questioning in terms of what a potential employer will be doing to tackle climate change
3. Technological: AI, Big Data, robotics, hyper connectivity will affect the way people work and connect as well as the organization within the companies
They also described 5 archetypes for future offices:
1. Sustainable office:
more sustainable and natural building materials;
sensor-enabled workspaces for energy efficiency optimisation;
spaces that encourage a green conscience among employees
2. Smart office:
mobile office: uninterrupted access regardless of physical space (in/out of the office);
seamless network access enabled by WiFi-friendly, non-blocking materials;
remote technology aimed at recreating/enhancing human interactions;
Bio-metrics uses for security (access to buildings) & instant profile uploads.
3. Flex-office 2.0:
modular spaces: walls for all uses (open space, collaborative, confidential);
modular furniture to accommodate the various ways people like to work
4. Serviced office:
multiple on-site facilities to facilitate work life balance;
shower, bathroom facilities, and large equipped kitchens to share meals;
5. Sweet office:
office spaces similar to home/cafés in terms of design and well-being;
incorporation of office spaces for recreational use and relaxation;
adaptable features: ergonomic seating, adjustable lighting, temperature, & music;
warm tones of décor and walls that change their view and/or scent.
The focus groups were conducted among a population of both younger and more experienced professionals working in traditional offices or flexible working spaces throughout urban locations in Europe. Office end-users were recruited among the whole market and not among the 6 REIT’s clients. Their opinions reflect their own views. An abstract of the focus groups results is attached.
Olivier Elamine (alstria), Manfredi Catella (COIMA RES), Pere Viñolas Serra (Colonial), Méka Brunel (Gecina), Toby Courtauld (Great Portland Estates plc) and Bernd Stahli (NSI) declared in a joint statement:
“The main outcome of the detailed information and data that has been gathered through the focus groups is that listed companies to a large extent are already designing and offering to the market the buildings of 2030. However, we need to maintain our innovation pace and continue to offer best in class products to our clients if we want to stay ahead of the game. Our end users have a very strong and clear view of their needs and what they expect their workspace to look like by 2030. By listening directly to them without intermediaries, we have gathered very strong insights about the likely evolution of our market. It is clear that offices are more than ever the preferred choice for our end-users. Despite the technology, the need to meet, to share and interact within a dedicated space, in the most central locations, is growing, but “co-working” is not the only emerging subject: there are other revolutions.”
alstria, COIMA RES, Colonial, Gecina, Great Portland Estates and NSI created in December 2017 a think tank aiming to group together the sustainability and innovation best practices of the six European REITs and to selectively conduct joint research.
About Focus Groups:
A focus group is a small, but demographically diverse group of people and whose reactions are studied especially in market research or political analysis in guided or open discussions about a new product or something else to determine the reactions that can be expected from a larger population. It is a form of qualitative research consisting of interviews in which a group of people are asked about their perceptions, opinions, beliefs, and attitudes towards a product, service, concept, advertisement, idea, or packaging.
Gecina owns, manages and develops property holdings worth 19.3 billion euros at end-December 2018. As a specialist for centrality and uses, the Group is building its business around Europe’s leading office portfolio, with nearly 97% located in the Paris Region, and a diversification division with residential assets and student residences. Gecina has put sustainable innovation at the heart of its strategy to create value and anticipate the expectations of around 100,000 customers and end users, thanks to the dedication and expertise of its staff, who are committed to an understated, fluid and inclusive city. To offer its customers high-quality services and support their changing needs, Gecina has launched YouFirst, its relational brand.
Gecina is a French real estate investment trust (SIIC) listed on Euronext Paris, and is part of the SBF 120, CAC Next 20, CAC Large 60, Euronext 100, FTSE4Good, DJSI Europe and World, Stoxx Global ESG Leaders and Vigeo indices. In line with its commitments to the community, Gecina has created a company foundation, which is focused on protecting the environment and supporting all forms of disability.
from boston condos ford realtor https://bostonrealestatetimes.com/modern-european-office-buildings-combining-sustainable-smart-flex-services-and-sweet/
0 notes
charlesccastill · 6 years
Text
Modern European Office Buildings: Combining Sustainable, Smart, Flex, Services and Sweet
PARIS–Considering the ever-increasing importance of understanding how the needs of the users of office buildings are evolving, the six listed office companies decided in H2 2018 on an innovative approach, usually applied to the consumer goods industry. A number of focus groups, comprising selected office users, have been asked to share their vision of the future of the modern office building. This analysis is a first for the European office real estate industry.
The focus groups included 18 meetings and interviewed 140 end-users in the UK, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain and Italy on their vision of the future user experience, the evolution of the workplace, the evolution of organisational structures and more generally the role of tomorrow’s office building in terms of use and service.
The end users who participated draw 3 principal drivers:
1. Sociological: the role of the company office will evolve to respond to workers’ needs to have meetings, collaborate, socialize and feel fulfilled at work
2. Environmental: in the future, employees will be much more demanding and much more questioning in terms of what a potential employer will be doing to tackle climate change
3. Technological: AI, Big Data, robotics, hyper connectivity will affect the way people work and connect as well as the organization within the companies
They also described 5 archetypes for future offices:
1. Sustainable office:
more sustainable and natural building materials;
sensor-enabled workspaces for energy efficiency optimisation;
spaces that encourage a green conscience among employees
2. Smart office:
mobile office: uninterrupted access regardless of physical space (in/out of the office);
seamless network access enabled by WiFi-friendly, non-blocking materials;
remote technology aimed at recreating/enhancing human interactions;
Bio-metrics uses for security (access to buildings) & instant profile uploads.
3. Flex-office 2.0:
modular spaces: walls for all uses (open space, collaborative, confidential);
modular furniture to accommodate the various ways people like to work
4. Serviced office:
multiple on-site facilities to facilitate work life balance;
shower, bathroom facilities, and large equipped kitchens to share meals;
5. Sweet office:
office spaces similar to home/cafés in terms of design and well-being;
incorporation of office spaces for recreational use and relaxation;
adaptable features: ergonomic seating, adjustable lighting, temperature, & music;
warm tones of décor and walls that change their view and/or scent.
The focus groups were conducted among a population of both younger and more experienced professionals working in traditional offices or flexible working spaces throughout urban locations in Europe. Office end-users were recruited among the whole market and not among the 6 REIT’s clients. Their opinions reflect their own views. An abstract of the focus groups results is attached.
Olivier Elamine (alstria), Manfredi Catella (COIMA RES), Pere Viñolas Serra (Colonial), Méka Brunel (Gecina), Toby Courtauld (Great Portland Estates plc) and Bernd Stahli (NSI) declared in a joint statement:
“The main outcome of the detailed information and data that has been gathered through the focus groups is that listed companies to a large extent are already designing and offering to the market the buildings of 2030. However, we need to maintain our innovation pace and continue to offer best in class products to our clients if we want to stay ahead of the game. Our end users have a very strong and clear view of their needs and what they expect their workspace to look like by 2030. By listening directly to them without intermediaries, we have gathered very strong insights about the likely evolution of our market. It is clear that offices are more than ever the preferred choice for our end-users. Despite the technology, the need to meet, to share and interact within a dedicated space, in the most central locations, is growing, but “co-working” is not the only emerging subject: there are other revolutions.”
alstria, COIMA RES, Colonial, Gecina, Great Portland Estates and NSI created in December 2017 a think tank aiming to group together the sustainability and innovation best practices of the six European REITs and to selectively conduct joint research.
About Focus Groups:
A focus group is a small, but demographically diverse group of people and whose reactions are studied especially in market research or political analysis in guided or open discussions about a new product or something else to determine the reactions that can be expected from a larger population. It is a form of qualitative research consisting of interviews in which a group of people are asked about their perceptions, opinions, beliefs, and attitudes towards a product, service, concept, advertisement, idea, or packaging.
Gecina owns, manages and develops property holdings worth 19.3 billion euros at end-December 2018. As a specialist for centrality and uses, the Group is building its business around Europe’s leading office portfolio, with nearly 97% located in the Paris Region, and a diversification division with residential assets and student residences. Gecina has put sustainable innovation at the heart of its strategy to create value and anticipate the expectations of around 100,000 customers and end users, thanks to the dedication and expertise of its staff, who are committed to an understated, fluid and inclusive city. To offer its customers high-quality services and support their changing needs, Gecina has launched YouFirst, its relational brand.
Gecina is a French real estate investment trust (SIIC) listed on Euronext Paris, and is part of the SBF 120, CAC Next 20, CAC Large 60, Euronext 100, FTSE4Good, DJSI Europe and World, Stoxx Global ESG Leaders and Vigeo indices. In line with its commitments to the community, Gecina has created a company foundation, which is focused on protecting the environment and supporting all forms of disability.
from boston condos ford realtor https://bostonrealestatetimes.com/modern-european-office-buildings-combining-sustainable-smart-flex-services-and-sweet/
0 notes
charlesccastill · 6 years
Text
Modern European Office Buildings: Combining Sustainable, Smart, Flex, Services and Sweet
PARIS–Considering the ever-increasing importance of understanding how the needs of the users of office buildings are evolving, the six listed office companies decided in H2 2018 on an innovative approach, usually applied to the consumer goods industry. A number of focus groups, comprising selected office users, have been asked to share their vision of the future of the modern office building. This analysis is a first for the European office real estate industry.
The focus groups included 18 meetings and interviewed 140 end-users in the UK, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain and Italy on their vision of the future user experience, the evolution of the workplace, the evolution of organisational structures and more generally the role of tomorrow’s office building in terms of use and service.
The end users who participated draw 3 principal drivers:
1. Sociological: the role of the company office will evolve to respond to workers’ needs to have meetings, collaborate, socialize and feel fulfilled at work
2. Environmental: in the future, employees will be much more demanding and much more questioning in terms of what a potential employer will be doing to tackle climate change
3. Technological: AI, Big Data, robotics, hyper connectivity will affect the way people work and connect as well as the organization within the companies
They also described 5 archetypes for future offices:
1. Sustainable office:
more sustainable and natural building materials;
sensor-enabled workspaces for energy efficiency optimisation;
spaces that encourage a green conscience among employees
2. Smart office:
mobile office: uninterrupted access regardless of physical space (in/out of the office);
seamless network access enabled by WiFi-friendly, non-blocking materials;
remote technology aimed at recreating/enhancing human interactions;
Bio-metrics uses for security (access to buildings) & instant profile uploads.
3. Flex-office 2.0:
modular spaces: walls for all uses (open space, collaborative, confidential);
modular furniture to accommodate the various ways people like to work
4. Serviced office:
multiple on-site facilities to facilitate work life balance;
shower, bathroom facilities, and large equipped kitchens to share meals;
5. Sweet office:
office spaces similar to home/cafés in terms of design and well-being;
incorporation of office spaces for recreational use and relaxation;
adaptable features: ergonomic seating, adjustable lighting, temperature, & music;
warm tones of décor and walls that change their view and/or scent.
The focus groups were conducted among a population of both younger and more experienced professionals working in traditional offices or flexible working spaces throughout urban locations in Europe. Office end-users were recruited among the whole market and not among the 6 REIT’s clients. Their opinions reflect their own views. An abstract of the focus groups results is attached.
Olivier Elamine (alstria), Manfredi Catella (COIMA RES), Pere Viñolas Serra (Colonial), Méka Brunel (Gecina), Toby Courtauld (Great Portland Estates plc) and Bernd Stahli (NSI) declared in a joint statement:
“The main outcome of the detailed information and data that has been gathered through the focus groups is that listed companies to a large extent are already designing and offering to the market the buildings of 2030. However, we need to maintain our innovation pace and continue to offer best in class products to our clients if we want to stay ahead of the game. Our end users have a very strong and clear view of their needs and what they expect their workspace to look like by 2030. By listening directly to them without intermediaries, we have gathered very strong insights about the likely evolution of our market. It is clear that offices are more than ever the preferred choice for our end-users. Despite the technology, the need to meet, to share and interact within a dedicated space, in the most central locations, is growing, but “co-working” is not the only emerging subject: there are other revolutions.”
alstria, COIMA RES, Colonial, Gecina, Great Portland Estates and NSI created in December 2017 a think tank aiming to group together the sustainability and innovation best practices of the six European REITs and to selectively conduct joint research.
About Focus Groups:
A focus group is a small, but demographically diverse group of people and whose reactions are studied especially in market research or political analysis in guided or open discussions about a new product or something else to determine the reactions that can be expected from a larger population. It is a form of qualitative research consisting of interviews in which a group of people are asked about their perceptions, opinions, beliefs, and attitudes towards a product, service, concept, advertisement, idea, or packaging.
Gecina owns, manages and develops property holdings worth 19.3 billion euros at end-December 2018. As a specialist for centrality and uses, the Group is building its business around Europe’s leading office portfolio, with nearly 97% located in the Paris Region, and a diversification division with residential assets and student residences. Gecina has put sustainable innovation at the heart of its strategy to create value and anticipate the expectations of around 100,000 customers and end users, thanks to the dedication and expertise of its staff, who are committed to an understated, fluid and inclusive city. To offer its customers high-quality services and support their changing needs, Gecina has launched YouFirst, its relational brand.
Gecina is a French real estate investment trust (SIIC) listed on Euronext Paris, and is part of the SBF 120, CAC Next 20, CAC Large 60, Euronext 100, FTSE4Good, DJSI Europe and World, Stoxx Global ESG Leaders and Vigeo indices. In line with its commitments to the community, Gecina has created a company foundation, which is focused on protecting the environment and supporting all forms of disability.
from boston condos ford realtor http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BostonRealEstateCondos/~3/U1cQqFeUk2U/
0 notes
charlesccastill · 6 years
Text
Modern European Office Buildings: Combining Sustainable, Smart, Flex, Services and Sweet
PARIS–Considering the ever-increasing importance of understanding how the needs of the users of office buildings are evolving, the six listed office companies decided in H2 2018 on an innovative approach, usually applied to the consumer goods industry. A number of focus groups, comprising selected office users, have been asked to share their vision of the future of the modern office building. This analysis is a first for the European office real estate industry.
The focus groups included 18 meetings and interviewed 140 end-users in the UK, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain and Italy on their vision of the future user experience, the evolution of the workplace, the evolution of organisational structures and more generally the role of tomorrow’s office building in terms of use and service.
The end users who participated draw 3 principal drivers:
1. Sociological: the role of the company office will evolve to respond to workers’ needs to have meetings, collaborate, socialize and feel fulfilled at work
2. Environmental: in the future, employees will be much more demanding and much more questioning in terms of what a potential employer will be doing to tackle climate change
3. Technological: AI, Big Data, robotics, hyper connectivity will affect the way people work and connect as well as the organization within the companies
They also described 5 archetypes for future offices:
1. Sustainable office:
more sustainable and natural building materials;
sensor-enabled workspaces for energy efficiency optimisation;
spaces that encourage a green conscience among employees
2. Smart office:
mobile office: uninterrupted access regardless of physical space (in/out of the office);
seamless network access enabled by WiFi-friendly, non-blocking materials;
remote technology aimed at recreating/enhancing human interactions;
Bio-metrics uses for security (access to buildings) & instant profile uploads.
3. Flex-office 2.0:
modular spaces: walls for all uses (open space, collaborative, confidential);
modular furniture to accommodate the various ways people like to work
4. Serviced office:
multiple on-site facilities to facilitate work life balance;
shower, bathroom facilities, and large equipped kitchens to share meals;
5. Sweet office:
office spaces similar to home/cafés in terms of design and well-being;
incorporation of office spaces for recreational use and relaxation;
adaptable features: ergonomic seating, adjustable lighting, temperature, & music;
warm tones of décor and walls that change their view and/or scent.
The focus groups were conducted among a population of both younger and more experienced professionals working in traditional offices or flexible working spaces throughout urban locations in Europe. Office end-users were recruited among the whole market and not among the 6 REIT’s clients. Their opinions reflect their own views. An abstract of the focus groups results is attached.
Olivier Elamine (alstria), Manfredi Catella (COIMA RES), Pere Viñolas Serra (Colonial), Méka Brunel (Gecina), Toby Courtauld (Great Portland Estates plc) and Bernd Stahli (NSI) declared in a joint statement:
“The main outcome of the detailed information and data that has been gathered through the focus groups is that listed companies to a large extent are already designing and offering to the market the buildings of 2030. However, we need to maintain our innovation pace and continue to offer best in class products to our clients if we want to stay ahead of the game. Our end users have a very strong and clear view of their needs and what they expect their workspace to look like by 2030. By listening directly to them without intermediaries, we have gathered very strong insights about the likely evolution of our market. It is clear that offices are more than ever the preferred choice for our end-users. Despite the technology, the need to meet, to share and interact within a dedicated space, in the most central locations, is growing, but “co-working” is not the only emerging subject: there are other revolutions.”
alstria, COIMA RES, Colonial, Gecina, Great Portland Estates and NSI created in December 2017 a think tank aiming to group together the sustainability and innovation best practices of the six European REITs and to selectively conduct joint research.
About Focus Groups:
A focus group is a small, but demographically diverse group of people and whose reactions are studied especially in market research or political analysis in guided or open discussions about a new product or something else to determine the reactions that can be expected from a larger population. It is a form of qualitative research consisting of interviews in which a group of people are asked about their perceptions, opinions, beliefs, and attitudes towards a product, service, concept, advertisement, idea, or packaging.
Gecina owns, manages and develops property holdings worth 19.3 billion euros at end-December 2018. As a specialist for centrality and uses, the Group is building its business around Europe’s leading office portfolio, with nearly 97% located in the Paris Region, and a diversification division with residential assets and student residences. Gecina has put sustainable innovation at the heart of its strategy to create value and anticipate the expectations of around 100,000 customers and end users, thanks to the dedication and expertise of its staff, who are committed to an understated, fluid and inclusive city. To offer its customers high-quality services and support their changing needs, Gecina has launched YouFirst, its relational brand.
Gecina is a French real estate investment trust (SIIC) listed on Euronext Paris, and is part of the SBF 120, CAC Next 20, CAC Large 60, Euronext 100, FTSE4Good, DJSI Europe and World, Stoxx Global ESG Leaders and Vigeo indices. In line with its commitments to the community, Gecina has created a company foundation, which is focused on protecting the environment and supporting all forms of disability.
from boston condos ford realtor https://bostonrealestatetimes.com/modern-european-office-buildings-combining-sustainable-smart-flex-services-and-sweet/
0 notes
charlesccastill · 6 years
Text
Modern European Office Buildings: Combining Sustainable, Smart, Flex, Services and Sweet
PARIS–Considering the ever-increasing importance of understanding how the needs of the users of office buildings are evolving, the six listed office companies decided in H2 2018 on an innovative approach, usually applied to the consumer goods industry. A number of focus groups, comprising selected office users, have been asked to share their vision of the future of the modern office building. This analysis is a first for the European office real estate industry.
The focus groups included 18 meetings and interviewed 140 end-users in the UK, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain and Italy on their vision of the future user experience, the evolution of the workplace, the evolution of organisational structures and more generally the role of tomorrow’s office building in terms of use and service.
The end users who participated draw 3 principal drivers:
1. Sociological: the role of the company office will evolve to respond to workers’ needs to have meetings, collaborate, socialize and feel fulfilled at work
2. Environmental: in the future, employees will be much more demanding and much more questioning in terms of what a potential employer will be doing to tackle climate change
3. Technological: AI, Big Data, robotics, hyper connectivity will affect the way people work and connect as well as the organization within the companies
They also described 5 archetypes for future offices:
1. Sustainable office:
more sustainable and natural building materials;
sensor-enabled workspaces for energy efficiency optimisation;
spaces that encourage a green conscience among employees
2. Smart office:
mobile office: uninterrupted access regardless of physical space (in/out of the office);
seamless network access enabled by WiFi-friendly, non-blocking materials;
remote technology aimed at recreating/enhancing human interactions;
Bio-metrics uses for security (access to buildings) & instant profile uploads.
3. Flex-office 2.0:
modular spaces: walls for all uses (open space, collaborative, confidential);
modular furniture to accommodate the various ways people like to work
4. Serviced office:
multiple on-site facilities to facilitate work life balance;
shower, bathroom facilities, and large equipped kitchens to share meals;
5. Sweet office:
office spaces similar to home/cafés in terms of design and well-being;
incorporation of office spaces for recreational use and relaxation;
adaptable features: ergonomic seating, adjustable lighting, temperature, & music;
warm tones of décor and walls that change their view and/or scent.
The focus groups were conducted among a population of both younger and more experienced professionals working in traditional offices or flexible working spaces throughout urban locations in Europe. Office end-users were recruited among the whole market and not among the 6 REIT’s clients. Their opinions reflect their own views. An abstract of the focus groups results is attached.
Olivier Elamine (alstria), Manfredi Catella (COIMA RES), Pere Viñolas Serra (Colonial), Méka Brunel (Gecina), Toby Courtauld (Great Portland Estates plc) and Bernd Stahli (NSI) declared in a joint statement:
“The main outcome of the detailed information and data that has been gathered through the focus groups is that listed companies to a large extent are already designing and offering to the market the buildings of 2030. However, we need to maintain our innovation pace and continue to offer best in class products to our clients if we want to stay ahead of the game. Our end users have a very strong and clear view of their needs and what they expect their workspace to look like by 2030. By listening directly to them without intermediaries, we have gathered very strong insights about the likely evolution of our market. It is clear that offices are more than ever the preferred choice for our end-users. Despite the technology, the need to meet, to share and interact within a dedicated space, in the most central locations, is growing, but “co-working” is not the only emerging subject: there are other revolutions.”
alstria, COIMA RES, Colonial, Gecina, Great Portland Estates and NSI created in December 2017 a think tank aiming to group together the sustainability and innovation best practices of the six European REITs and to selectively conduct joint research.
About Focus Groups:
A focus group is a small, but demographically diverse group of people and whose reactions are studied especially in market research or political analysis in guided or open discussions about a new product or something else to determine the reactions that can be expected from a larger population. It is a form of qualitative research consisting of interviews in which a group of people are asked about their perceptions, opinions, beliefs, and attitudes towards a product, service, concept, advertisement, idea, or packaging.
Gecina owns, manages and develops property holdings worth 19.3 billion euros at end-December 2018. As a specialist for centrality and uses, the Group is building its business around Europe’s leading office portfolio, with nearly 97% located in the Paris Region, and a diversification division with residential assets and student residences. Gecina has put sustainable innovation at the heart of its strategy to create value and anticipate the expectations of around 100,000 customers and end users, thanks to the dedication and expertise of its staff, who are committed to an understated, fluid and inclusive city. To offer its customers high-quality services and support their changing needs, Gecina has launched YouFirst, its relational brand.
Gecina is a French real estate investment trust (SIIC) listed on Euronext Paris, and is part of the SBF 120, CAC Next 20, CAC Large 60, Euronext 100, FTSE4Good, DJSI Europe and World, Stoxx Global ESG Leaders and Vigeo indices. In line with its commitments to the community, Gecina has created a company foundation, which is focused on protecting the environment and supporting all forms of disability.
from boston condos ford realtor https://bostonrealestatetimes.com/modern-european-office-buildings-combining-sustainable-smart-flex-services-and-sweet/
0 notes
charlesccastill · 6 years
Text
Modern European Office Buildings: Combining Sustainable, Smart, Flex, Services and Sweet
PARIS–Considering the ever-increasing importance of understanding how the needs of the users of office buildings are evolving, the six listed office companies decided in H2 2018 on an innovative approach, usually applied to the consumer goods industry. A number of focus groups, comprising selected office users, have been asked to share their vision of the future of the modern office building. This analysis is a first for the European office real estate industry.
The focus groups included 18 meetings and interviewed 140 end-users in the UK, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain and Italy on their vision of the future user experience, the evolution of the workplace, the evolution of organisational structures and more generally the role of tomorrow’s office building in terms of use and service.
The end users who participated draw 3 principal drivers:
1. Sociological: the role of the company office will evolve to respond to workers’ needs to have meetings, collaborate, socialize and feel fulfilled at work
2. Environmental: in the future, employees will be much more demanding and much more questioning in terms of what a potential employer will be doing to tackle climate change
3. Technological: AI, Big Data, robotics, hyper connectivity will affect the way people work and connect as well as the organization within the companies
They also described 5 archetypes for future offices:
1. Sustainable office:
more sustainable and natural building materials;
sensor-enabled workspaces for energy efficiency optimisation;
spaces that encourage a green conscience among employees
2. Smart office:
mobile office: uninterrupted access regardless of physical space (in/out of the office);
seamless network access enabled by WiFi-friendly, non-blocking materials;
remote technology aimed at recreating/enhancing human interactions;
Bio-metrics uses for security (access to buildings) & instant profile uploads.
3. Flex-office 2.0:
modular spaces: walls for all uses (open space, collaborative, confidential);
modular furniture to accommodate the various ways people like to work
4. Serviced office:
multiple on-site facilities to facilitate work life balance;
shower, bathroom facilities, and large equipped kitchens to share meals;
5. Sweet office:
office spaces similar to home/cafés in terms of design and well-being;
incorporation of office spaces for recreational use and relaxation;
adaptable features: ergonomic seating, adjustable lighting, temperature, & music;
warm tones of décor and walls that change their view and/or scent.
The focus groups were conducted among a population of both younger and more experienced professionals working in traditional offices or flexible working spaces throughout urban locations in Europe. Office end-users were recruited among the whole market and not among the 6 REIT’s clients. Their opinions reflect their own views. An abstract of the focus groups results is attached.
Olivier Elamine (alstria), Manfredi Catella (COIMA RES), Pere Viñolas Serra (Colonial), Méka Brunel (Gecina), Toby Courtauld (Great Portland Estates plc) and Bernd Stahli (NSI) declared in a joint statement:
“The main outcome of the detailed information and data that has been gathered through the focus groups is that listed companies to a large extent are already designing and offering to the market the buildings of 2030. However, we need to maintain our innovation pace and continue to offer best in class products to our clients if we want to stay ahead of the game. Our end users have a very strong and clear view of their needs and what they expect their workspace to look like by 2030. By listening directly to them without intermediaries, we have gathered very strong insights about the likely evolution of our market. It is clear that offices are more than ever the preferred choice for our end-users. Despite the technology, the need to meet, to share and interact within a dedicated space, in the most central locations, is growing, but “co-working” is not the only emerging subject: there are other revolutions.”
alstria, COIMA RES, Colonial, Gecina, Great Portland Estates and NSI created in December 2017 a think tank aiming to group together the sustainability and innovation best practices of the six European REITs and to selectively conduct joint research.
About Focus Groups:
A focus group is a small, but demographically diverse group of people and whose reactions are studied especially in market research or political analysis in guided or open discussions about a new product or something else to determine the reactions that can be expected from a larger population. It is a form of qualitative research consisting of interviews in which a group of people are asked about their perceptions, opinions, beliefs, and attitudes towards a product, service, concept, advertisement, idea, or packaging.
Gecina owns, manages and develops property holdings worth 19.3 billion euros at end-December 2018. As a specialist for centrality and uses, the Group is building its business around Europe’s leading office portfolio, with nearly 97% located in the Paris Region, and a diversification division with residential assets and student residences. Gecina has put sustainable innovation at the heart of its strategy to create value and anticipate the expectations of around 100,000 customers and end users, thanks to the dedication and expertise of its staff, who are committed to an understated, fluid and inclusive city. To offer its customers high-quality services and support their changing needs, Gecina has launched YouFirst, its relational brand.
Gecina is a French real estate investment trust (SIIC) listed on Euronext Paris, and is part of the SBF 120, CAC Next 20, CAC Large 60, Euronext 100, FTSE4Good, DJSI Europe and World, Stoxx Global ESG Leaders and Vigeo indices. In line with its commitments to the community, Gecina has created a company foundation, which is focused on protecting the environment and supporting all forms of disability.
from boston condos ford realtor https://bostonrealestatetimes.com/modern-european-office-buildings-combining-sustainable-smart-flex-services-and-sweet/
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charlesccastill · 6 years
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Modern European Office Buildings: Combining Sustainable, Smart, Flex, Services and Sweet
PARIS–Considering the ever-increasing importance of understanding how the needs of the users of office buildings are evolving, the six listed office companies decided in H2 2018 on an innovative approach, usually applied to the consumer goods industry. A number of focus groups, comprising selected office users, have been asked to share their vision of the future of the modern office building. This analysis is a first for the European office real estate industry.
The focus groups included 18 meetings and interviewed 140 end-users in the UK, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain and Italy on their vision of the future user experience, the evolution of the workplace, the evolution of organisational structures and more generally the role of tomorrow’s office building in terms of use and service.
The end users who participated draw 3 principal drivers:
1. Sociological: the role of the company office will evolve to respond to workers’ needs to have meetings, collaborate, socialize and feel fulfilled at work
2. Environmental: in the future, employees will be much more demanding and much more questioning in terms of what a potential employer will be doing to tackle climate change
3. Technological: AI, Big Data, robotics, hyper connectivity will affect the way people work and connect as well as the organization within the companies
They also described 5 archetypes for future offices:
1. Sustainable office:
more sustainable and natural building materials;
sensor-enabled workspaces for energy efficiency optimisation;
spaces that encourage a green conscience among employees
2. Smart office:
mobile office: uninterrupted access regardless of physical space (in/out of the office);
seamless network access enabled by WiFi-friendly, non-blocking materials;
remote technology aimed at recreating/enhancing human interactions;
Bio-metrics uses for security (access to buildings) & instant profile uploads.
3. Flex-office 2.0:
modular spaces: walls for all uses (open space, collaborative, confidential);
modular furniture to accommodate the various ways people like to work
4. Serviced office:
multiple on-site facilities to facilitate work life balance;
shower, bathroom facilities, and large equipped kitchens to share meals;
5. Sweet office:
office spaces similar to home/cafés in terms of design and well-being;
incorporation of office spaces for recreational use and relaxation;
adaptable features: ergonomic seating, adjustable lighting, temperature, & music;
warm tones of décor and walls that change their view and/or scent.
The focus groups were conducted among a population of both younger and more experienced professionals working in traditional offices or flexible working spaces throughout urban locations in Europe. Office end-users were recruited among the whole market and not among the 6 REIT’s clients. Their opinions reflect their own views. An abstract of the focus groups results is attached.
Olivier Elamine (alstria), Manfredi Catella (COIMA RES), Pere Viñolas Serra (Colonial), Méka Brunel (Gecina), Toby Courtauld (Great Portland Estates plc) and Bernd Stahli (NSI) declared in a joint statement:
“The main outcome of the detailed information and data that has been gathered through the focus groups is that listed companies to a large extent are already designing and offering to the market the buildings of 2030. However, we need to maintain our innovation pace and continue to offer best in class products to our clients if we want to stay ahead of the game. Our end users have a very strong and clear view of their needs and what they expect their workspace to look like by 2030. By listening directly to them without intermediaries, we have gathered very strong insights about the likely evolution of our market. It is clear that offices are more than ever the preferred choice for our end-users. Despite the technology, the need to meet, to share and interact within a dedicated space, in the most central locations, is growing, but “co-working” is not the only emerging subject: there are other revolutions.”
alstria, COIMA RES, Colonial, Gecina, Great Portland Estates and NSI created in December 2017 a think tank aiming to group together the sustainability and innovation best practices of the six European REITs and to selectively conduct joint research.
About Focus Groups:
A focus group is a small, but demographically diverse group of people and whose reactions are studied especially in market research or political analysis in guided or open discussions about a new product or something else to determine the reactions that can be expected from a larger population. It is a form of qualitative research consisting of interviews in which a group of people are asked about their perceptions, opinions, beliefs, and attitudes towards a product, service, concept, advertisement, idea, or packaging.
Gecina owns, manages and develops property holdings worth 19.3 billion euros at end-December 2018. As a specialist for centrality and uses, the Group is building its business around Europe’s leading office portfolio, with nearly 97% located in the Paris Region, and a diversification division with residential assets and student residences. Gecina has put sustainable innovation at the heart of its strategy to create value and anticipate the expectations of around 100,000 customers and end users, thanks to the dedication and expertise of its staff, who are committed to an understated, fluid and inclusive city. To offer its customers high-quality services and support their changing needs, Gecina has launched YouFirst, its relational brand.
Gecina is a French real estate investment trust (SIIC) listed on Euronext Paris, and is part of the SBF 120, CAC Next 20, CAC Large 60, Euronext 100, FTSE4Good, DJSI Europe and World, Stoxx Global ESG Leaders and Vigeo indices. In line with its commitments to the community, Gecina has created a company foundation, which is focused on protecting the environment and supporting all forms of disability.
from boston condos ford realtor https://bostonrealestatetimes.com/modern-european-office-buildings-combining-sustainable-smart-flex-services-and-sweet/
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csrgood · 6 years
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Global Sustain Group: ESG Responsible Investments, From Niche to Mainstream?
Recently the ESG / SRI Investments is gaining momentum. The ESG / SRI market, in terms of assets under management, number of ESG relevant funds, number of Asset Owners and Asset Managers that integrate ESG factors into their investment strategies, as well as the number of UN PRI Members, grow at a stable pace the last years. Moreover, the mainstream global and European market leaders of the global investment industry started gradually to commit to ESG products, after having seen the growing market trend in this relative new investment segment.
ESG VS Mainstream Investing. Why to integrate ESG Metrics into the investment strategy and why ESG investment approach could have potentially also a better Return on Investment (ROI)? 
ESG Market in terms of assets under management, new funds, new market players, is growing the last years and there is an ongoing positive trend.
ESG funds perform in general well and in some cases outperform in comparison to mainstream funds.
The policy at EU level (Sustainable Finance Legislative Package) but also at national level (Initiatives in France, Netherlands, Luxemburg, Germany etc.) support Sustainable Finance and ESG Investments as a topic encouraging such a way of investing. The national Financial Supervisory Authorities in various EU member states started already survey asking Investors, Insurance Firms, Asset Managers on ESG Investments.
ESG Metrics give the possibility to identify gaps in corporate governance, potential regulatory (also litigation), reputation, environmental, social, operational, market, sectoral and other risks and vulnerabilities in companies, that the financial KPIs do not show. 
ESG give you the chance to evaluate and analyze the non-financial KPIs and how sophisticated is the company’s strategy.
ESG is more for mid-term and long-term strategy.
After the positive signal of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change by a vast majority of states and despite the negative signals on topic by the Trump Administration, the policy side especially in EU is willing to support and boost the topic of sustainable finance and responsible investments by proposing also a new regulation. EU can be proud that on that topic is ahead of USA and far ahead of Asia. But how will the new EU Sustainable Finance Initiative and the relevant proposed legislative sustainable finance package proposed by European Commission will impact the investment industry? Is the new proposed EU regulatory framework enough as condition to boost the ESG Investments market or do we need something more than that?
In May 2018, the Commission presented a package of measures as a follow-up to its action plan on financing sustainable growth. The package includes three proposals aimed at:
A unified EU classification system (taxonomy) of ESG relevant Investors, Asset Managers and Funds Establishing a unified EU classification system of sustainable economic activities 'taxonomy' setting the basis for the establishment of common standards.
Investors and Asset Managers’ Duties & Disclosures. The proposed Regulation will introduce consistency and clarity on how institutional investors integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors in their risk processes, how their investments relate to ESG factors and targets and explain how they comply with these.
Introducing carbon footprint for Investors and Asset Managers. creating a new category of benchmarks which will help investors compare the carbon footprint of their investments.
Inform and advise better clients (esp. individuals) about ESG factors regarding investment process and decision.  The aim is to amend Delegated Acts under the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II) and the Insurance Distribution Directive.
The European Parliament and Council will review the proposals before the final texts are agreed upon, which is expected in early 2019 and Member States then have two years to implement the proposed legislation.
The Gap in ESG. Exactly because the ESG market is growing and because ESG is not yet regulated and there are no common recognized international standards about which funds and products can be considered as ESG relevant, which Asset Management Firms can be considered as ESG Asset Managers and which persons at the Asset Management Firms can be considered that have the expertise to be called ESG portfolio and fund managers, it is relative easy at the moment to name a fund ESG, therefore, there is at the moment a Gap and a Risk in the ESG industry, that should be mitigated and solved as soon as possible. The membership of an Investor or Asset Manager at the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment Initiative (UN PRI), is the minimum but cannot be considered anymore as enough condition an Investor or Asset Manager to be called ESG relevant. There is a need for regulation and adoption of common international standardization. The proposed EU legal framework on sustainable finance is contributing in that direction but first it will take time, second it will be valid only in EU and third it does not solve the problem of standardization of the industry, which is necessary. It must be also discussed and clarified which of the existing and applied ESG relevant investment strategies, all of them are some of them (exclusion, inclusion, best in class, norms based screening, ESG Integration, Sustainability Themed Investing, Corporate Engagement/Shareholder Activism, Impact Investing) are accepted and recognized all as equally ESG relevant, since not all are the same complex, not all follow the same ESG criteria and processes and not all lead to same results.  For e.g. a fund that integrates only the G (Governance) factor from the ESG metrics in its investment strategy or just excludes (exclusion investment strategy) a few sectors (e.g. defense, gaming industries) from its investment universe in is not in reality at same level ESG with a fund that strictly integrates all 3 ESG factors in its investment strategy and it is fully ESG. Though at the moment both are considered equally ESG funds.
Except the policy initiatives at EU level (recent proposed packaged on sustainable finance) or national level in various EU member states, which support  Sustainable Finance and ESG Investments and the good performance of quite a few ESG funds the last years, also the economic changes and trends in the real economy in various sectors lately regarding the three elements of ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) confirm that, there are positive signals also in the real economy and good cases, which could potentially contribute to a swift to a more ESG Investment Philosophy. The transition to the use of more clean energy and less fossil fuels, the gradual growth of sharing mobility and electric mobility (electric cards, electric bikes), the adoption of the concept of smart cities by more and more cities, the digitalization of the state, the cities and the corporate word (E), the shareholders positive activism is adopted more and more and also the gradual understanding by the corporations, investors and banks that a transparent and well - functioning corporate governance scheme is important for the minimization of the risks, the performance and growth (G) and the same is valid for the gender diversity, the company to be a good work place for its employees and all its stakeholders, is considered as part of the society and should think not only of the shareholder value but of the stakeholder value (S) confirm the above.
The ESG Investment market is still a niche with a positive trend to become potentially and gradually a more mainstream segment under the conditions of appropriate regulation and adoption of well - defined common international standards on which funds can be considered as ESG relevant, to avoid the potential risk of a new ESG this time market “bubble”. 
Global Sustain Group / Global Sustain GmbH (https://globalsustaingroup.com/) is organising for 3rd consecutive year in cooperation with Forum for Responsible Investment (FNG – the leading Association for ESG Investments in Germany, Austria, Switzerland & Lichtenstein), Investment Bank Berlin (IBB) and International Bankers Forum (IBF) the 3rd ESG Responsible Investments, Green Finance & Brands Forum 2018 (http://sustainabilityforum.de/) in Berlin on 26.9.2018 with the motto this year “ESG, from Niche to Mainstream?”. 
References:
“ESG, From Niche to Mainstream?”, ESG Market Report & Benchmark Analysis by Global Sustain, 2018.
European Commission, Sustainable Finance Initiative & proposed legislative package, 2018.(https://ec.europa.eu/info/publications/180524-proposal-sustainable-finance_en)-.
Eurosif, European SRI Study, 2016. 
Forum for Responsible Investment, Market Report 2017.    
source: http://www.csrwire.com/press_releases/41393-Global-Sustain-Group-ESG-Responsible-Investments-From-Niche-to-Mainstream-?tracking_source=rss
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