Unibail-Rodamco has unveiled plans to cut carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 as part of its new CSR strategy.
Unibail-Rodamco CEO Christophe Cuvillier has announced plans for the group to adopt a new, long-term challenge, inspired by the signing of the Paris Agreement to fight climate change in December. The CSR commitment, named 'Better Places 2030', describes a set of objectives to be achieved by 2030, including goals for emissions, pollution, employment and equality.
The details of the new CSR challenge include reducing the carbon footprint of all its buildings by 50%, with a commitment to cut emissions from new development projects by 35% and existing schemes by 70%. Low-carbon materials would be used for new builds, while older properties will be refitted with 100% LED lighting and green electricity.
The carbon footprint goals will also be applied to means of transport connecting its centres, and retailer logistics deliveries.
Cuvillier said that its largest European centres also had a role to play in reducing local unemployment and strengthening communities, offering training programmes and initiatives to support the recruitment of low skilled youth. Targets include hiring at least 1000 young people per year across the portfolio.
Elsewhere, Unibail-Rodamco plans to share individual and collective goals throughout its workforce, also by harnessing partners such as retailers, construction and energy companies, in an initiative described as 'less top-down, better collective power'.
After announcing its first environmental goals in 2007, Unibail-Rodamco was named a 'global sector leader' in 2015 for its work in the retail industry and received its fifth successive green star from GRESB (Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark) this year.
