GWL Realty Advisors Continues Strong GRESB Performance

GWL Realty Advisors Inc. (GWLRA) announced today that it has once again been recognized by GRESB as one of Canada’s leading real estate organizations, earning a ‘4-Star’ rating and ranking in the top 20% of Canadian-based companies submitting to GRESB (out of 76).

The company placed in the top 18% in the global ‘Diversified / Non-listed / Core’ category (out of 306 companies) and scored above the GRESB global averages in both the management and performance categories, covering environmental, social and governance issues.

“A meaningful portion of our success hinges on a deliberate strategy for managing the environmental and social effects of our portfolio,” said Glenn Way, President of GWL Realty Advisors. “By embedding sustainability principles into our practices, we enhance the value of our assets and serve the best interests of our clients and communities.”

GWLRA also incorporates sustainability into the way it manages its Canadian Real Estate Investment Fund. The fund also earned a GRESB ‘4-Star’ rating and ranked among the top 22% globally in the ‘Diversified / Non-listed / Core’ category.

“Effectively managing the sustainability attributes of our assets under management contributes to stable long-term investments, by addressing current and emerging risks, and by delivering best-in-class experiences for our tenants,” said Steven Marino, Executive Vice President, Portfolio Management, GWL Realty Advisors. “We believe, in this way, that sustainability adds value and helps earn the trust of our clients.”

Sustainability Achievements by the Numbers:

• From 2019-2023, GWLRA’s managed office and residential portfolio has:
  • Reduced Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions (tonnes tCO₂e) by 20%
  • Reduced energy intensity (ekWh/ft²) by 17%
  • Decreased water intensity (L/ft²) by 17%
• At year-end 2023, 88% of eligible buildings in GWLRA’s entire managed portfolio (by floor area) had attained either LEED^® or BOMA BEST^® certification.
• GWLRA-managed properties have attained over 30 health, wellness, and accessibility certifications over the past three years, including FitWel^®, WELL^®, and Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certifications^®.
• In the past two years, GWLRA-managed properties and staff have received over 35 awards and recognitions related to sustainability, operational excellence, and tenant engagement.
• Completed five site-level climate vulnerability assessments on assets within our portfolio and rolled out a standardized flood emergency response plan for exposed assets.

GRESB

GRESB, formerly the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark, is a mission-driven and industry-led organization providing standardized and validated environmental, social, and governance data to financial markets. Established in 2009, GRESB has become the leading sustainability benchmark for real estate and infrastructure investments across the world, used by 150 institutional and financial investors to inform decision-making. For more information, visit GRESB.com.