Ventas has made “significant progress” toward meeting its environmental, social and governance objectives, the Chicago-based real estate investment trust’s chairman and CEO, Debra A. Cafaro, said Wednesday as the REIT released a sustainability report.
“Our commitment to rigorous environmental, social and governance practices supports the growth of our successful enterprise built on serving the needs of a large and growing aging population,” Cafaro said in a press release issued in conjunction with the report.
In 2022, Ventas became the first healthcare REIT to commit to net zero operational carbon emissions and since has built and implemented detailed decarbonization plans to meet its goal by 2040, according to the report.
“Our carbon reductions are primarily driven by improvements in energy efficiency and renewable energy procurement,” the company said.
Ventas encourages collaboration, “recognizing individuals for their unique strengths and continually enhancing employee resources, all while upholding a strong commitment to an equitable and inclusive environment that celebrates diversity in all its forms,” according to the report.
The REIT said that it is committed to “best-in-class corporate governance and transparency” as its board of directors advances their objective of creating long-term, sustainable stakeholder value.
The REIT has earned global recognition and numerous awards for its ESG efforts:
- The No. 1 listed healthcare REIT in Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark assessment since 2017.
- Received the 2023 Energy Star Partner of the Year Sustained Excellence in Energy Management Award, the program’s highest honor, and ranked among the top 15 Energy Star certifiers of 2022.
- This is the company’s fourth consecutive year on the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, representing the top 10% of global companies based on long-term economic, environmental and social criteria and sixth consecutive year in North America.
- This is the company’s fourth consecutive year on the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index.
- Ventas was a Bronze Award Winner in Nareit’s 2022 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Awards.
- The REIT is a seven-time winner of Nareit’s Leader in the Light Award, recognizing companies that demonstrate superior sustainability practices.
Ventas said that it also is working to mitigate the risk and effects of any disruption from cybersecurity threats and data breaches. Employees receive training and testing on cybersecurity protocols throughout the year.
