At Brookfield India REIT, we are mindful of the impact we have on our environment and our constant endeavor is to reduce our environmental footprint. We encourage sustainable developments, ensuring safety, health and well-being of our people. Our effort is to align our businesses with the global sustainability goals and the sustainability commitments of our occupiers.
As active operators of real estate assets, we take appropriate measures to identify and manage possible climate related risks and hazards. Our assets in India are assessed for exposure to climate related hazards, including – but not limited to – earthquakes, floods, heat stress, and sea level rise. These help us identify and manage physical climate risks in the medium term. Meanwhile, we have undertaken scenario analyses to identify the long-term impacts of climate change on our portfolio and business at a global level.
Keeping long-term goals of Net Zero by 2040 or sooner, we strive to track and measure energy and emissions across our portfolio and periodically benchmark ourselves with local and global industry standards through an internal review and target-setting mechanism.
Additionally, the transition to renewable energy is an integral part of our efforts to reduce our emissions and decarbonize our portfolio.
Also, our campuses are located near current and future transit-oriented development schemes like metro rail connectivity and Rapid Rail Transit System. We completely support and sponsor shared mobility schemes to allow our customers to go to work in a stress-free and cost-effective manner, as well as to reduce the environmental impact of automobiles.
Water security is one of the essential determinants of our shared objective for a sustainable future and improving environmental performance. We have invested in efficient HVAC systems, low-flow fixtures, and STPs that minimized both our water withdrawals and consumption. Furthermore, to create a better microclimate and reduce passive irrigation, we are increasing the usage of sprinklers, sprayers, and foggers. We are striving to optimize rainwater retention by installing permanent infiltration or collection features like vegetated swales, rain gardens and rainwater cisterns.
Considerations related to waste management are integrated into our developments from the design stage, as we aim to reduce our operating carbon impact by embedding circularity into our organization. We have eliminated single-use plastic from our food courts and common amenity areas and are partnering closely with our tenants by frequently setting up recycled product kiosks, as well as organizing engagement events, training and plays to raise awareness.
We engage with leading global design experts while incorporating best practices into our design and development guidelines and interventions. Some of our initiatives in this space include green roofs, biophilic breakout zones, urban square foot farms and flowering gardens. We also perform a periodic census, mapping and tagging our plants and trees to understand survival rates and sequestration potential. We do not own, lease, or manage sites that are in or adjacent to protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value outside protected areas.
Design guidelines for sustainable workspaces document presents framework of guidelines that are aligned with Brookfield Properties' objective of achieving Net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2040 or sooner. The guidelines are aligned with Brookfield Properties' ESG commitments, which include reducing carbon emissions, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, and upholding the highest ethical standards.
