UK - Henderson Global Investors is aiming to "future proof" its UK real estate assets against the emergence of a sustainability-led two-tier market, the fund manager announced today in its first responsible investment report (RPI).

The report follows the completion, in 2008, of a six-month sustainability portfolio analysis of Henderson's £3.3bn UK portfolio, conducted by Jones Lang LaSalle subsidiary Upstream.

The firm is targeting an overall reduction of landlord-controlled carbon dioxide emissions and water consumption by 5%, as well as a 15% reduction in waste sent directly to landfill by 15%, by the end of 2010.

Initial endeavours have included the installation of an energy-efficient LED lighting system at the Bullring shopping centre in Birmingham, which is designed to reduce energy consumption by 85%.

Henderson said today's report underlines the view that the sustainable and responsible investment agenda cannot be ignored despite the economic downturn.

"Our RPI approach enables us to assess key risks and opportunities in areas that may be overlooked by short-term real estate investment strategies and helps us to anticipate changes in occupier demand, climate, energy supply, investment values, legislative and fiscal regimes," said Andy Schofield, head of RPI at Henderson.
 
"We believe that it is a mistake to assume that the green agenda was just a trend that will be dropped due to the economic downturn and, through our actions, we are already proving that targeted sustainability initiatives benefit our properties, investors, tenants and communities; protecting and enhancing value for all stakeholders."
 

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