Investing in tomorrow's company. Improving sustainability communications between real estate and construction companies and the investment community (C636)

Environmental and social performance is becoming increasingly important both to socially responsible investors and to mainstream/traditional investors as they realise that these issues can influence economic performance and commercial risk. It is in the best interest of real estate and construction companies on the one hand, and the investment community on the other, to reach a common understanding of the most relevant social, ethical, economic and environmental (or sustainability) risks and opportunities faced by companies in these sectors. Companies need to be able to identify, prioritise and manage the issues most likely to affect their financial performance.

This publication guides companies through the key steps of this process. It aims to help them understand how providing sustainability information can influence investors' decision-making; identify and prioritise the sustainability issues most relevant to their business; measure, monitor and manage these issues; link sustainability performance to financial performance when communicating with investors; and develop an effective sustainability communications strategy appropriate for investors.

Key words: environmental good practice, sustainable construction, benchmarking and KPIs, respect for people.

ISBN: 978-0-86017-636-7

Author: J Hirigoyen, G Chant-Hall, S Reid

Number of pages: 32 (paperback)

Publisher: CIRIA

Date of Publication: February 2005