(HOUSTON) – Hines, the privately held international real estate firm, announced today the release of the firm’s fifth sustainability report. The comprehensive report, which can be viewed at http://hinessustainability.com/, provides a detailed review of Hines’ environmental, social and governance performance, compiled in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).
The new report focuses on the future and how the firm anticipates and plans for it by developing strategies and methodologies to increase resilience, relevance and longevity. One way Hines is looking ahead is with the Hines 2025 Working Group, which established a framework to consider how trends could shape the design and development of buildings a decade from now, in 2025.
Hines has long been a leader in sustainable design and in promoting sustainability programs around the world. As of December 31, 2015, Hines has 369 green-certified buildings worldwide; including 181 ENERGY STAR®-labeled buildings, 146 LEED®-certified or registered assets, and 42 internationally certified properties.
“As we publish this fifth sustainability report, I am proud to say that, for almost 60 years, Hines has championed sustainable practices and technologies. This report reinforces to our stakeholders the importance of sustainability at the firm, and proves that a sustainable approach to real estate makes good business sense and creates better places for people,” said Hines President and CEO Jeff Hines.
Gary Holtzer, Hines senior managing director and global sustainability officer, added, “Engagement with our stakeholders is critical to our continued success as we navigate forward. This year's report highlights research and forecasting, which serve as a foundation for our investment strategies and sustainability activities.”
The firm wanted to reach the broadest audience possible and has produced this year’s report in three different formats, with reduced print and hardcopy distribution to preserve natural resources. The full, GRI-compliant report, as well as two print editions, Hines Sustainability 5.0 Summary and Hines Sustainability 5.0 Highlights, can be found online on the firm’s new website.
Hines partners with multiple institutions to identify best-operating practices and cutting-edge technologies in order to stay in the forefront of building operations, including: ENERGY STAR; ULI Greenprint Center for Building Performance; and the USGBC. Internationally, Hines was a founding member of the German Sustainable Building Council and the Russian Green Building Council, and is active in the Green Building Council Brasil, the Green Building Council España, the Green Building Council Italia, the Indian Green Building Council, the BRE Environmental Assessment Method program in the United Kingdom and the Haute Qualité Environnementale program in France.
Hines is a privately owned global real estate investment firm founded in 1957 with a presence in 182 cities in 20 countries. Hines has $89.1 billion of assets under management, including $42.5 billion for which Hines provides fiduciary investment management services, and $46.6 billion for which Hines provides third-party property-level services. The firm has 109 developments currently underway around the world. Historically, Hines has developed, redeveloped or acquired 1,126 properties, totaling over 351 million square feet. The firm’s current property and asset management portfolio includes 457 properties, representing over 193 million square feet. With extensive experience in investments across the risk spectrum and all property types, and a pioneering commitment to sustainability, Hines is one of the largest and most-respected real estate organizations in the world. Visit www.hines.com for more information.