WASHINGTON, DC--MEPT, one of the largest open-end core private real estate equity funds in the U.S., earned the top spot on the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) Foundation's survey of real estate funds in the Americas.
Additionally, MEPT ranked #5 on the GRESB's "Global Top Ten" list, according to the survey, which measures the social and environmental performance of listed and private property funds around the world. MEPT was the only U.S. fund ranked in the Global Top Ten.
The GRESB Foundation, an initiative of some of the world's largest institutional investors, gathered data from 340 respondents globally to create a science-based sustainability benchmark. Respondents represented close to US$1 trillion in commercial real estate assets or 35% of the global real estate market.
After submitting extensive data and information on its $5.1 billion portfolio, MEPT was awarded top rankings both in the Americas and globally based on the Fund's score on more than 50 metrics of environmental and social performance. The report identifies MEPT as earning a "Green Star", a fund with "an integrated organizational approach towards measurement and management of environmental key performance indicators" resulting in a reduction of resource consumption and innovation in measures beyond energy efficiency. Only 65 of the 340 respondents were ranked "Green Stars."
"To see the Fund's sustainability efforts recognized through the results of this extensive global survey is very gratifying for MEPT and its investors," stated David Antonelli, Executive Vice President and MEPT Portfolio Manager at Bentall Kennedy, MEPT's real estate advisor. "Since its inception in 1982, MEPT has been a leader in identifying and successfully integrating environmental, social and governance principles into its investment strategy. Now, more than ever, we firmly believe that the ability to execute a responsible investment strategy is critical to the long-term success of the Fund."
The GRESB Foundation provides a tool for institutional investors to assess real estate funds on their environmental and governance performance which the Foundation believes helps investors fulfill their fiduciary responsibility. The industry-led initiative has the goal to enhance shareholder value by increasing transparency in environmental and social practices in the property sector.
"The commercial real estate sector is poised to move towards full integration of environmental management in daily operations with great opportunities lying ahead," says Dr. Nils Kok, executive director of the GRESB Foundation. "Our benchmark puts the environmental performance of fund managers in perspective and provides investors with a tool for engaging with the property sector."
Source: http://www.njand.com/news/green.php/2011/09/29/mept_ranked_1st_in_americas_and_5th_glob
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