Aermont seeks to incorporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments across its activities and on behalf of the funds. Such commitments constitute good business by bringing to bear diverse opinions and experiences, mitigating various risks and enhancing value, as the funds seek to generate high-quality, innovative and sustainable assets for investors, tenants, employees and other stakeholders.
Aermont is a signatory of the UN Principles of Responsible Investment and participates in GRESB to demonstrate transparency and performance across ESG dimensions. In 2023, two Aermont funds reported, including one first time participant in the Standing Investments benchmark. Both funds achieved GRESB Green Stars and were ranked in the top 10 European opportunistic fund participants for all benchmarks while also outperforming global and regional averages. For the Development benchmark, the funds achieved five GRESB stars, indicating scoring in the top quintile of all GRESB participants globally.
Environmental certifications already awarded, or reasonably expected, for various investments made by the funds to date include: BREEAM Excellent, LEED Platinum, LEED Gold, DGNB Gold, DGNB Silver, HQE Excellent and WELL Gold. Aermont has also taken steps to monitor, evaluate and reduce the environmental impact of its standing investments by collecting performance data that complies with international guidelines and implementing best practices for energy, greenhouse gas emissions, water and waste management.
Aermont recognises that climate change creates challenges. We are committed to contributing to the Paris Agreement’s goal to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees and develop strategies to mitigate the impact of climate change on our investments and business. We recently set new carbon targets across four categories to better reflect the nature of our investments and our ambition to implement positive and lasting change.¹ These targets are outlined below:
- Ground‐up developments and major refurbishments: Ground‐up developments and major refurbishments commenced after 2021 are expected to align with the Paris Agreement and be designed to sit below the relevant CRREM 1.5 degree decarbonisation pathway for 15 years post completion, with the intention of making them Net Zero‐ready for future owners should they wish to pursue that objective.
- Operational assets: Operational assets are expected to align with the Paris Agreement and operate below the relevant CRREM 1.5 degree decarbonisation pathway by 2030, or five years post‐acquisition if purchased after 2026.
- Corporate investments: We will seek to reduce the carbon intensity of majority‐controlled corporate investments, working with the operational teams to develop robust ESG strategies that reflect Aermont’s own ambitions.
- Net Zero corporate operations: Aermont’s own corporate operations are expected to be Net Zero by 2025 across premises, consumables and travel emissions (scope 1, 2 and selected scope 3 emissions) by implementing reductions, renewables and verified carbon offsets for the remainder.
Aermont’s team comprises a diverse group of professionals representing over ten nationalities, with a variety of skills, expertise and experience, as well as geographic and cultural backgrounds. Aermont tracks various diversity indicators and has policies in place to support a diverse and inclusive workforce at every level of the organisation.
Strong governance and discipline are foundations of Aermont’s investment approach. Key principles include, among others: (i) skilled and dedicated professionals, (ii) transparency, (iii) the prioritisation of capital preservation, (iv) rigorous investment and operational policies and procedures, (v) strong alignments of interest, and (vi) appropriate independence for certain key functions.
We are committed to engaging with the communities in which we operate. As part of this effort, we support initiatives promoting equal access to education and employment through our own activities and those of our corporate investments. As at June 2023, donations of €1.5 million out of Aermont’s own profits have been made since 2020 to initiatives in France, Germany, Spain, Italy and the UK to programmes focused on helping disenfranchised youths, plus others supporting mental health, domestic violence, food poverty and vulnerable families during COVID‐19.²