(B04) Fulfilling ESG and Climate Commitments with LEED for Communities

Real estate portfolios and investments are fulfilling climate commitments and improving environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance and reporting. LEED for Communities rating system requires district, neighborhood and community scale projects to report on energy, emissions, water, waste, transportation, social equity, and quality of life and catalyzes continuous improvement. Data and documentation submitted in support of the certification process get verified by the third-party expert reviewers. Thus, LEED for Communities rating system offers a credible framework for investors to navigate complexities of ESG issues and make decisions.
Developers and consultants will offer insights into how they utilize LEED for Communities rating system to support their ESG priorities and climate commitments.
The session moderator Andrew Snowhite has been a part of the developer team that planned and constructed Songdo International Business District in South Korea, heralded for its avantgarde sustainability and technology solutions, which was the first project to PreCertify to LEED for Communities in 2017.  Since then, he has been consulting with various projects in the Middle East, United States, Asia and Africa.
Gautami Palanki will offer insights into how the Howard Hughes Corporation is reevaluating and redesigning ESG targets and climate commitments, exploring different strategies to implement innovative sustainable technologies, continuously measuring performance and elevating commitment to driving positive change and doing good, while PreCertifying two communities to LEED for Communities.
Blackstone has deployed alternative investment management strategies for deploying energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions in upgrading Stytown in New York City communities previously built in 1940s. Sarah Nugent will discuss how LEED for Communities helps in meeting ESG commitments.
Eduardo Mattos will showcase how two mixed-use communities in Brazil are utilizing LEED for Communities to meet ESG targets and climate commitments. Cidade Dos Lagos project recently got certified to LEED for Cities and Communities at Gold level.