Henderson Global Investors says it has remained firmly focused on its responsible property investment agenda during what has been an uncertain and testing time for the industry.

During 2009, the company’s responsible property investment programme was expanded into new areas of the business, including sustainability appraisals on office and retail assets in France and its outlet malls in the UK.

A programme of communication was initiated with stakeholders, via fund-specific reports to investors and extensive engagement with occupiers.

Henderson UK Property Unit Trust was submitted into Jones Lang LaSalle’s Third Dimension syndicate to provide an overview of sustainability risks and opportunities at fund level.

The company become a founding member of the Greenprint Foundation, a worldwide alliance of real estate owners, investors and financial institutions committed to reducing carbon emissions across the property industry in support of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change goals for global greenhouse gas stabilisation by 2030.

Henderson says achievements have been made on more than 160 assets that were included in the first phase of its responsible property investment  programme.
 
On aggregate there was a reduction in landlord-controlled CO2 emissions (on a like-for-like basis) of seven per cent between 2008 and 2009, which beat the two-year target of five per cent for the two years 2008-10 in a single year.

Water consumption on a more limited sample of monitored properties was reduced by 6.9 per cent, again beating the two-year target of five per cent for the two years 2008-10.

The amount of waste sent directly to landfill was reduced by 15 per cent between 2008 and 2009, achieving its 2008-10 target in just one year.

At individual fund level, the Central London Office portfolio realised energy savings worth GBP153,940 over the course of 2009.

At property level, Henderson’s large scale refurbishment of New Brooks Building in Covent Garden was awarded a Breeam Excellent rating.

Mike Sales, head of investment, global property, for Henderson says: “Broadening the responsibilities for the programme to the wider team requires commitment from the senior management. This is why I have commissioned an internal training programme for all staff and will be following the results closely.”