Link Real Estate Investment Trust
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2021-2022)
Reporting Period: 2021-2022
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:120,715 tCO2e/year
Scope 1 Emissions:9,222 tCO2e/year
Scope 2 Emissions:111,435 tCO2e/year
Scope 3 Emissions:48,510 tCO2e/year
Renewable Energy Share:1%
Total Energy Consumption:250,840 MWh/year
Water Consumption:1,657,889 m3/year
Waste Generated:39,419 tons/year
Carbon Intensity:0.029 tonnes CO2e/sq m
ESG Focus Areas
- Environment
- Social
- Governance
Environmental Achievements
- 15.1% reduction in carbon emissions intensity (Scope 1 & 2) compared to the 2018/2019 baseline
- Reached 86.5% green building certification coverage, compared to 71.2% in 2020/2021
- 4.0% reduction in general water use intensity compared to the baseline
- 6.7% general waste recovered/recycled, compared to 6.4% in 2020/2021
- 1,149 tonnes of organic waste recovered
- The Cabot (UK property) was 100% powered by renewable electricity
Social Achievements
- Completed employee engagement survey with 87% response rate and overall score of 3.9
- Achieved an average of 18.7 hours of training per staff
- Completed tenant satisfaction survey with a satisfaction score of over 4.0 out of 5.0
- Link Together Initiatives committed HK$15.5M supporting eight community projects and 220 students under Link University Scholarship
- Launched pilot of Local Employment Initiative
Governance Achievements
- Maintained a diverse Board
- Issued new Sustainable Finance Framework requiring all sustainability-linked transactions to include E, S, G KPIs
- Executed HK$12 billion sustainability-linked loan with E, S, G KPIs
- Updated Responsible Investment Policy
- Climate disclosures in full compliance with TCFD recommendations and with mapping to ISSB Climate Exposure Draft
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Net Zero carbon emissions by 2035
Medium-term Goals:
- Net Zero carbon emissions (Scope 1 & 2) by 2035
- 30% reduction in electricity intensity by 2035
- 100% renewable energy adoption by 2035
Short-term Goals:
- 25% reduction in carbon emissions intensity (Scope 1 & 2) by 2025/2026
- 5% reduction in electricity intensity by 2025/2026
- 100% green building certification coverage by 2025/2026
- 50% green lease adoption in Hong Kong and Mainland China by 2026/2027
- >10% housekeeping and security staff hired locally from underprivileged groups by 2026/2027 in Hong Kong
Environmental Challenges
- Supply chain disruptions due to COVID-19, particularly affecting recyclable materials
- Increased electricity intensity in Hong Kong portfolio due to government measures requiring increased air change and higher than average number of hot days
Mitigation Strategies
- Developed alternative sourcing strategies for Styrofoam recycling, achieving nearly 60% recycling rate
- Implemented energy management systems and other energy-saving initiatives to offset increased electricity consumption
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: 105 top suppliers reviewed annually
Responsible Procurement
- Supplier Code of Conduct
- Procurement Policy
- Prioritization of suppliers with internationally recognized management systems and sustainability policies
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Flooding
- Rising temperatures
Transition Risks
- Policy and legal changes
- Technological changes
- Market shifts
- Reputational risks
Opportunities
- Green building enhancements
- Use of lower-carbon energy sources
- Improved stakeholder relations
- Increased resilience
- Access to capital
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards – Core Options, International Integrated Reporting Framework, TCFD, ISSB Exposure Draft IFRS S2 Climate-related Disclosures
Certifications: Null
Third-party Assurance: Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency (HKQAA)
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- SDG 9
- SDG 11
- SDG 17
Focus on industry, innovation, infrastructure, sustainable cities and communities, and partnerships.
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Not disclosed
Awards & Recognition
- GRESB Green Star rating (10 consecutive years)
- Inclusion in DJSI Asia Pacific Index, FTSE4Good Index Series, Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Index
- Various other awards listed in the report