Climate Change Data

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Environmental Sustainability
• Social Sustainability
• Governance Sustainability

Environmental Achievements

• Greenhouse gas emissions 30.5% lower than the U.S. office building average
• 77% of the office portfolio achieved ENERGY STAR certification
• 87% of the legacy portfolio (pre-merger) earned ENERGY STAR certifications
• 67% of the office portfolio by square footage is LEED certified
• 74% of the office portfolio by square footage achieved BOMA 360 certification
• Energy consumption decreased by 4.8% from 2017-2019 in the like-for-like portfolio
• GHG emissions decreased by 2.1% from 2017-2019 in the like-for-like portfolio
• Nearly three million gallons of water repurposed at Dimensional Place in Charlotte in 10 months

Social Achievements

• Donated over $500,000 annually to local charities
• Donations represented more than $2,000 per employee
• Launched CuzWeCanCouncil for employee engagement
• Reclaimed wood used for furniture in renovation projects
• Artist in Residence Program in Atlanta

Governance Achievements

• 25% of Board of Directors are women
• Woman serves as Chair of the Audit Committee
• 44% of supervisors are women
• Robust share ownership requirements for executives
• Annual training on Cousins’ Code of Conduct, Entertainment and Gifts, and Anti-Harassment policies

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Not disclosed

Mitigation Strategies

• Not disclosed

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Not disclosed

Responsible Procurement

• Locally sourcing materials whenever possible
• Use of reclaimed wood for furniture

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Not disclosed

Transition Risks

• Not disclosed

Opportunities

• Not disclosed

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI Standards (Core)

Certifications: Energy Star, LEED, BOMA 360

Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Not disclosed

Not disclosed

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Not disclosed

Awards & Recognition

• Green Star rating in GRESB Annual Survey

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Environmental Responsibility
• Social Responsibility
• Good Governance

Environmental Achievements

• Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 39% lower than the U.S. office building average.
• Nearly three-quarters of the office portfolio achieved ENERGY STAR certification.
• Approximately 72% of the office portfolio by square footage are LEED certified.
• Thirty-six buildings achieved BOMA 360 certification.

Social Achievements

• Launched a cloud-based performance management platform for employee career goal setting.
• Provided over $900,000 from the nonprofit foundation to support organizations focused on COVID-19 relief and social justice causes.
• Created the Cousins Scholars Program to introduce underrepresented minorities to the commercial real estate industry.
• Maintained a 40% female workforce and 38% diverse workforce.

Governance Achievements

• Revised the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics to incorporate a Vendor Code of Conduct.
• Implemented mandatory training on Cousins’ Code of Conduct, Entertainment and Gifts, and Anti-Harassment Policies.
• 33% of the Directors are either women or a minority.
• Independent members of the Board comprise our Compensation, Succession, Nominating and Governance Committee (“Governance Committee”), and Audit Committee.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to the Company, our employees, our customers, and our communities.
• Acts of racial injustice and the need to address equity and discrimination.

Mitigation Strategies

• Implemented key components of a business resilience and continuity plan, instituting telework procedures.
• Adjusted operations to ensure the safety of essential employees while buildings remained open.
• Increased communication efforts to employees and customers.
• Made numerous changes to buildings to enhance safety and health.
• Joined the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and a coalition of companies in signing a letter urging members of the General Assembly to pass Georgia Hate Crimes legislation.
• Joined the Atlanta Committee for Progress’ pledge to commit to working with civic leaders to help create more just communities.
• Provided rent relief programs for some customers.

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Not disclosed

Responsible Procurement

• Vendor Code of Conduct

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Hurricanes
• Floods

Transition Risks

• Not disclosed

Opportunities

• Not disclosed

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI Standards (Core)

Certifications: ENERGY STAR, LEED, BOMA 360

Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Not disclosed

Not disclosed

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Not disclosed

Awards & Recognition

• GRESB Green Star (six consecutive years)

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Environmental Sustainability
• Social Sustainability
• Governance

Environmental Achievements

• Reduced energy use intensity by 16.1% (2018-2021)
• Reduced GHG emissions intensity by 48.6% (2018-2021)
• Reduced water use intensity by 34.5% (2018-2021)
• 72% of portfolio LEED certified (77% including Austin Energy Green Building Standard)
• 66% of portfolio ENERGY STAR certified
• 64% of portfolio BOMA 360 certified
• 96% of buildings achieved Fitwel Viral Response Module (VRM) certification

Social Achievements

• Launched Cousins Scholars Program to increase diversity in commercial real estate
• 84% overall employee engagement rate
• Donated over $200,000 to nonprofit organizations
• Employees raised over $56,000 for community support
• Welcomed a new director to the Board, increasing gender and racial diversity

Governance Achievements

• Established a new Board Sustainability Committee
• Maintained a Green Street governance score of 72 (10 points above average)
• ISS continues to assess governance as a “1” (highest decile)
• Revised Code of Business Conduct and Ethics to incorporate a Vendor Code of Conduct

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Low building utilization rates during the COVID-19 pandemic impacted KPI metrics
• Potential climate-related risks such as windstorm damage and coastal flooding

Mitigation Strategies

• Implemented energy conservation measures and reduced natural resource consumption
• Incorporated climate assessments into acquisition due diligence
• Developed resiliency plans for buildings with elevated climate-related risks
• Proactively adopted a rigorous schedule to test the high wind resiliency of existing roofs in Tampa

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• Vendor Code of Conduct

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Earthquake
• Extreme temperature
• Flood
• Tornadoes
• Hurricanes
• Ice storms

Transition Risks

• Increased construction costs
• Increased insurance premiums

Opportunities

• Implementing energy efficiency measures
• Providing onsite renewable energy sources

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI Standards (Core), TCFD

Awards & Recognition

• Five consecutive GRESB Green Stars
• Sustainalytics Top-Rated ESG Company
• ISS Governance Score of “1”
• Multiple TOBY awards