Description: Environmental and social performance is becoming increasingly important both to socially responsible investors and to mainstream/traditional investors as they realise that these issues can influence economic performance and commercial risk.

It is in the best interest of real estate and construction companies on the one hand, and the investment community on the other, to reach a common understanding of the most relevant social, ethical, economic and environmental (or sustainability) risks and opportunities faced by companies in these sectors. Companies need to be able to identify, prioritise and manage the issues most likely to affect their financial performance.

This publication guides companies through the key steps of this process. It aims to help them understand how providing sustainability information can influence investors' decision-making; identify and prioritise the sustainability issues most relevant to their business; measure, monitor and manage these issues; link sustainability performance to financial performance when communicating with investors; and develop an effective sustainability communications strategy appropriate for investors.

Keywords: environmental good practice, sustainable construction, benchmarking and KPIs, respect for people

Contents: Executive summary, Foreword, Acknowledgements, Glossary, 1 Introduction, 1.1 Why use this guide?, 1.2 Who should use this guide, 1.3 How to use this guide, 2 What to communicate, 2.1 Understanding how investors make decisions, 2.2 Defining the boundaries of "relevance", 2.3 Demonstrating a systematic approach, 2.4 Hypothetical case studies, 3 How to communicate, 3.1 Measuring, monitoring and managing, 3.2 Developing a sustainability communications strategy, 3.3 Non-financial reporting, 3.4 Communication media, 3.5 Assurance and verification, Appendix 1 Key facts, Appendix 2 Selected issues glossary, Appendix 3 Selected sustainability tools, standards and benchmarks and guidance