PARIS: Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) is once again recognized as a global leader on Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG), achieving a score of “B” from 155 (Institutional Shareholder Services group of companies) for its ESG practices in June 2020.

This is an exceptional rating level among the real estate industry companies assessed worldwide, and the best grade ever for the Group. URW ranks in the leaders group (1st decile) and is, like in 2019, awarded the Prime status, which highlights its best-in-class approach.

For the Group, this top grade is an achievement highlighting the relevance and strength of both its governance and its CSR Strategy, and a recognition of its commitment to fight climate change.

When the Group’s CSR strategy Better Places 2030 was launched in 2016, URW became the first listed real estate company to address, in addition to its own direct emissions, the indirect emissions resulting from construction works, tenant energy consumption and transportation of visitors to access its assets. URW’s main objective is to cut the Group’s carbon emissions by -50% by 20301. Better Places 2030 also tackles other challenges such as responsible consumption and the circular economy. CSR is instrumental in the Group’s HR policy, through an increased commitment to diversity and inclusion.

The Group’s CSR strategy, actions and results are regularly assessed by analysts, researchers, investors and third-party certification bodies that rank URW as one of the most sustainable companies in the industry.

ISS ESG covers Corporate and country ESG research and ratings, enabling investors to identify material social and environmental risks and opportunities. A company’s management of ESG issues is analyzed on the basis of up to 100 rating criteria, most of them sector-specific. The indicators are constantly reviewed and developed to align with the latest scientific findings, technological developments, regulatory changes and social debates.