In times when actions across all areas of sustainable development are a priority in nearly every industry and a key element of many companies’ strategies, the role of the property manager is evolving and has a significant impact on supporting the achievement of environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) goals. Today, the property manager plays not only a traditional operational and administrative role, but must also actively promote and implement sustainable practices within the buildings they manage.
At LemonTree, our mission is to design and construct low-emission buildings. However, we are also fully aware that our role as a property manager can make a significant contribution to reducing the operational carbon footprint during the usage phase of the buildings. Providing additional support to our tenants in achieving their sustainability goals has become a new and important element of our property management strategy.
We are all on the same team
Despite the growing awareness of sustainable development, it remains a challenge for many companies. Embarking on this path requires time as well as properly defined and programmed processes.
At LemonTree, just like our tenants, we must comply with EU legislation related to ESG. Many companies are already subject to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). Can we, as property managers, support our business partners and tenants in this context? Absolutely. Our Property Management team offers assistance in ensuring the efficient use of warehouse and office spaces, introduces new solutions to monitor and reduce utility consumption—including a new reporting system for resource usage—which can result in tangible benefits (such as lower operating costs). Our experts also advise on how to implement sustainability-focused initiatives effectively.
The practical dimension of responsibility
Let’s now go through the letters that make up the ESG acronym and consider how a property manager can contribute in each of these areas.
E like Environmental
When designing our buildings, we place great emphasis on the selection of technologies and materials used in each development. We carry out a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for every project we undertake. The materials we choose today are crucial, as they directly impact the B1–B7 stages of the LCA—that is, the building’s operational phase. This phase falls under the responsibility of the property manager, who oversees activities such as renovations, maintenance, and upgrades. We take a close look not only at the quality and origin of materials, but also at energy and water consumption. In this sense, we hold ourselves accountable for every aspect of sustainability—from construction through to long-term use.
In the buildings developed by LemonTree, we implement technologies that allow for precise monitoring and reduction of water consumption. We have introduced solutions that limit water usage during necessary system tests and maintenance procedures. We also use systems that collect rainwater and enable its reuse (for example, for landscaping around the complex).
A property manager should also strive to optimize electricity consumption through monitoring and management systems (e.g. automated control of lighting, heating, ventilation, or air conditioning). Responsible energy management is one of the most important strategic aspects in the environmental area. A key factor in reducing CO2 emissions and the building’s carbon footprint is the purchase of electricity from renewable sources. We achieve this by contracting energy with guarantees of origin from renewable sources.
LemonTree also “goes green” when it comes to shaping the spatial environment around our properties. Green areas, beyond their aesthetic and recreational functions, also serve important environmental purposes. We design them by selecting plants with consideration for local conditions, increasing biodiversity, planting drought-resistant and air-purifying species, and supporting natural ground-level water retention. In this area, we collaborate with local suppliers and plant nurseries.
S like Social
A responsible property manager is one who ensures the safety of building users, employees, and tenants. We provide training and education for our partners in the field of occupational health and safety. The “S” in ESG also stands for well-being, which is why we take care in designing rest areas and quality outdoor furnishings, and we equip our buildings with bicycle infrastructure. An important aspect of social responsibility is organizing various initiatives—such as environmental campaigns—that bring together the tenant community of a given property. This helps foster positive, healthy habits in everyday work.
A property manager can also initiate projects that combine both social and environmental aspects—for example, by implementing educational programs or encouraging employees of the building to use alternative means of transportation.
G like Governance
This is another letter in our sustainability alphabet—one that plays a key role in the context of CSRD reporting. In this area, the property manager can support tenants by implementing modern management programs that align with the highest standards of corporate governance. We are introducing a new utility consumption reporting system, which enables tenants to track their progress toward sustainability goals. We also monitor the operational carbon footprint. Equally important is the promotion of best practices in waste management. One example is the implementation ofprograms aimed at building awareness around recycling and responsible waste handling.
All sustainability-related activities we undertake are intended to guide both us and our partners toward zero-emission buildings and to support them in achieving their goals across all three ESG areas.
You can read more about our approach on our website: Lemontree.realestate. Find out how a logistics and service space developer can further support your organization in achieving its ESG goals.