CapitaLand Investment targets ambitious ESG goals for 2030

CLI’s updated sustainability roadmap follows three pillars that focus on environmental targets, human development, and transparency.

CapitaLand Investment (CLI) has announced the launch of its refreshed 2030 sustainability master plan, signaling the company’s commitment to advancing its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives.

In an interview with the Singapore Business Review, CLI Chief Sustainability Officer Vinamra Srivastava said the 2030 sustainability master plan, originally introduced in 2020 and updated earlier this year, serves as a comprehensive blueprint and framework to guide CLI’s sustainability efforts.

Srivastava outlined the three pillars of the plan, which are: building a resilient and resource-efficient real estate portfolio; enabling a thriving and future-adaptive community; and stewarding responsible business conduct and governance.

The first pillar focuses on environmental targets by 2030 with the aim of reducing scope one and scope two emissions by 46%. To achieve this, CLI plans to source renewable energy for up to 45% of its entire portfolio.

In addition, the company targets a 15% reduction in energy consumption intensity, a 15% reduction in water consumption intensity, and a 20% reduction in waste intensity.

The second pillar centres on the social aspect, which Srivastava aligned with building a culture of sustainability within the organisation and fostering human capital development.

He said CLI conducts sustainability roadshows, brown bag sessions, and industry expert sessions to raise awareness among staff about the master plan and their role in achieving its targets.

The company also prioritises learning and development, dedicating over 370,000 training hours in 2022 and ensuring that more than 83% of its staff attended at least one ESG training session, he added.

Noting the potential for sustainability goals to enhance profitability, Srivastava said: “There are proven solutions and approaches where meeting environmental goals aligns with financial feasibility.”
In this case, the third pillar on stewarding responsible business conduct and governance is well showcased in CLI’s investments.

“For instance, investing in greening buildings improves operational efficiency, reduces utility costs, and enhances the value of the properties. Moreover, sustainable financing and the ability to attract tenants who prioritise green buildings can contribute to improved returns,” Srivastava said.

To ensure the authenticity and transparency of its sustainability goals, he said CLI actively combats greenwashing by adopting transparent reporting practices aligned with global frameworks such as the Global Reporting Initiative and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures.

The company’s sustainability and strategy committee oversees the execution of the master plan, whilst each business unit maintains a strong internal governance structure.

Linking sustainability to the company’s day-to-day operations and measuring performance objectively through the balanced scorecard further reinforces CLI’s commitment to responsible and accountable practices, Srivastava said.

Overall, CapitaLand Investment’s refreshed 2030 sustainability master plan reflects its dedication to driving positive environmental and social impacts whilst maintaining strong corporate governance.

“We believe in communicating real, factual, and measurable progress, ensuring our initiatives are linked to the company's strategy,” Srivastava said. “By following globally recognised standards and establishing strong internal governance, we stay on track and continually move forward.”