CHICAGO—Global urbanization offers a time-limited opportunity to work towards widespread climate-resilient development and transformational adaptation. There needs to be an all-in approach in the built environment sector to deliver the critical 1.5ºC pathway. A significant majority of the world’s major cities have committed for all new buildings to be net zero by 2030 and all buildings to be net zero by 2050. But with approximately 80 percent of existing building stock set to still be standing in 2050, meeting this net zero goal is a huge challenge for the real estate sector.
In its 2021 Global Sustainability Report, JLL—the first real estate company in the world with a net-zero target validated by the Science Based Targets initiative—explains how the actions it is taking across its own global operations, corporate supply chain, and in partnership with its clients are not only good for the planet, but also deliver a return on sustainability that yields greater financial, environmental, and social rewards.
“JLL is determined to play its full part in partnering with our clients and communities in defining and implementing achievable pathways to net zero,” said Christian Ulbrich, JLL CEO. “Our annual Global Sustainability Report illustrates the progress we are making and the ambitious targets we have committed to. As our work with World Economic Forum on establishing 10 Green Building Principles shows, we believe continued strong collaborative focus and effort will be vitally important in securing a sustainable built environment for all.”
JLL’s sustainability program is focused on three issue areas where it can achieve the greatest impacts: Climate action for sustainable real estate, Healthy spaces for all people, and Inclusive places for thriving communities. These are informed by JLL’s purpose and aligned to the firm’s Beyond business strategy. Key highlights from JLL’s 2021 report:
Climate Action for Sustainable Real Estate:
- JLL’s net-zero target aims for the full abatement of 95 percent of its carbon footprint by 2040. By the end of 2021, JLL had reduced Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 17 percent from its 2018 baseline year, and the firm is on track to meet its net-zero 2030 target for occupied office space and its vehicle fleet.
- 65,301 metric tons CO2e averted by advising clients on renewable energy projects, a three-fold increase on 2020.
Healthy Spaces for All People:
As well as the focus on climate change, the program recognizes the importance of promoting health, safety, and wellbeing among our workforce through the buildings which JLL occupies and manages for its clients.
- 390 sustainable building certificates achieved for clients, over 30 percent more than in 2020.
- 45 percent of JLL offices with a sustainable building certificate, on track for 100 percent by 2030.
Inclusive Places for Thriving Communities:
JLL’s sustainability program also puts diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) front and center. The firm is determined to create a culture that fosters DEI in all areas of its business.
- 36 percent of top two senior management levels are female, with a target to achieve 40 percent by 2025.
- Supported 33 Women’s Business Network Business Resource Groups around the world and launched a global Women Transforming Tech resource group.
- Continued to grow Business Resource Groups—nine in the Americas, eight in EMEA, and seven in Asia Pacific (along with 11 country and regional DEI groups)—which help drive the business by providing professional development, training and networking opportunities for employees with shared backgrounds, experiences, aspirations and goals.
- Strengthened its global training to empower every individual to reach their full potential by launching a new learning platform providing access to 25,000 tailored courses and increased investment per employee by four-fold in 2020, to $316 per employee.
- $1.97 billion spent with diverse suppliers, doubling spend on the previous year—and set a target to reach $2.5 billion by 2025.
- $8.9m contributed to charitable causes—a 15 percent increase on 2020, with 919 organizations supported—an increase of 40 percent on 2020.
Read more about JLL’s performance in the full JLL 2021 Global Sustainability Report or download the summary report here.
