Training course on ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) in Real Estate

Training Course on ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) in Real Estate

Introduction: 

The global real estate industry is undergoing a profound transformation driven by the escalating importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors. Investors, regulators, tenants, and the public increasingly demand that real estate assets and the companies that own, develop, and manage them operate responsibly and contribute positively to society and the planet. In Kenya, this shift is evident with growing adoption of green building certifications like EDGE and LEED, increasing focus on affordable housing initiatives, and enhanced corporate governance standards for listed entities. Training Course on ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) in Real Estate is meticulously designed to equip with the critical knowledge and practical tools. These are necessary to strategically integrate ESG principles across the entire real estate lifecycle, unlock new value, mitigate risks, and enhance long-term financial performance and societal impact. This comprehensive program moves beyond mere compliance, emphasizing a proactive approach to sustainability, social equity, and robust governance, blending in-depth knowledge of climate risk management, resource efficiency, social impact assessment, ethical conduct, and transparent reporting, and the leveraging of innovative technologies and strategic stakeholder engagement to build resilient, responsible, and highly valued real estate portfolios. 

This comprehensive 10-day program delves into nuanced methodologies for assessing the materiality of ESG issues in real estate, mastering advanced techniques for developing and implementing holistic ESG strategies, quantifying the financial and non-financial benefits of ESG integration (e.g., green premiums, reduced operating costs, enhanced tenant attraction), and navigating the complex landscape of ESG regulations and reporting frameworks, and exploring cutting-edge approaches to decarbonizing real estate portfolios, fostering inclusive communities, strengthening corporate governance structures, and leveraging green finance mechanisms. A significant focus will be placed on understanding the interplay of global ESG standards (e.g., GRESB, TCFD, SASB), local contexts (e.g., Kenya's Climate Change Act, NSE ESG Guidance Manual, and community engagement practices in affordable housing), the role of PropTech in ESG data management, and the crucial link between strong ESG performance and enhanced investment returns. By integrating global industry best practices and specific case studies from diverse asset classes and geographies (including practical examples from the Kenyan real estate market), analyzing **real-world challenges in ESG implementation and reporting, and engaging in intensive hands-on ESG risk mapping, green building certification planning, social impact assessment workshops, ethical dilemma discussions, and expert-led discussions, attendees will develop the strategic acumen to confidently lead the transformation towards a sustainable and responsible built environment, fostering unparalleled financial resilience, environmental stewardship, and social equity, and securing their position as indispensable leaders in shaping the future of real estate in a rapidly evolving world. 

Course Objectives 

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Analyze core principles and strategic responsibilities of ESG integration in real estate investment and management.
2. Master sophisticated techniques for identifying, assessing, and prioritizing material ESG risks and opportunities in real estate portfolios.
3. Develop nuanced strategies for implementing environmental sustainability measures (energy, water, waste, carbon) in real estate assets.
4. Implement effective social impact strategies including tenant well-being, community engagement, and diversity & inclusion.
5. Manage complex corporate governance frameworks to ensure ethical conduct, transparency, and accountability in real estate organizations.
6. Apply robust strategies for achieving various green building certifications (e.g., LEED, BREEAM, EDGE) and demonstrating environmental performance.
7. Understand the deep integration of climate risk assessment and adaptation strategies within ESG frameworks for real estate.
8. Leverage knowledge of ESG reporting standards and frameworks (e.g., GRESB, TCFD, SASB) for transparent disclosure.
9. Optimize strategies for valuing and financing real estate assets with strong ESG credentials, including accessing green finance.
10. Formulate specialized ESG strategies for different real estate asset classes (residential, commercial, industrial, retail).
11. Conduct advanced stakeholder engagement and communication on ESG performance.
12. Navigate challenging situations such as greenwashing, data gaps, and balancing short-term costs with long-term ESG benefits.
13. Develop a holistic, strategic, and ethically grounded approach to ESG integration in real estate, fostering sustainable value creation and positive societal impact globally, with an emphasis on local applicability and regulatory context.

Target Audience

This course is designed for professionals involved in ESG in Real Estate:

1. Real Estate Investors & Fund Managers: Integrating ESG into investment strategies and portfolio management.
2. Real Estate Developers: Designing, constructing, and operating sustainable and socially responsible projects.
3. Asset & Property Managers: Implementing ESG practices across existing real estate portfolios.
4. Corporate Sustainability Officers: Leading ESG initiatives within real estate companies.
5. Financial Institutions & Lenders: Developing green financing products and assessing ESG risks in real estate lending.
6. Valuation Professionals & Advisors: Incorporating ESG factors into property valuation and due diligence.
7. Government Officials & Policymakers: Shaping regulations and incentives for sustainable real estate.
8. Anyone keen to understand and implement ESG principles in the real estate sector. 

Course Duration: 10 Days

Course Modules 

• Module 1: Foundations of ESG in Real Estate
• Defining ESG: Environmental, Social, Governance components and their relevance to real estate.
• Drivers for ESG integration: Investor demand, regulatory pressure, tenant expectations, risk mitigation, value creation.4
• Materiality of ESG factors in real estate: which issues matter most for different asset types.
• Distinguishing ESG from Impact Investing and CSR: understanding the nuances.
• Case Study: Analyzing why a major global real estate investor has adopted a strong ESG policy.
• Module 2: Environmental (E) Pillar: Energy & Carbon Management
• Climate Change & Real Estate: carbon emissions, operational vs. embodied carbon, pathways to Net Zero.
• Energy Efficiency Strategies: building envelope, HVAC optimization, smart building systems, LED lighting.
• Renewable Energy Integration: on-site solar, off-site PPAs, clean energy procurement.
• Carbon Footprinting & Decarbonization Roadmaps: measurement, targets, and reduction strategies.
• Case Study: Developing a decarbonization plan for an existing commercial building, including cost-benefit analysis.
• Module 3: Environmental (E) Pillar: Water, Waste & Biodiversity
• Water Management: efficiency measures, rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, water quality.5
• Waste Management & Circular Economy: waste reduction, recycling programs, construction waste diversion, material circularity.
• Biodiversity & Land Use: protecting natural habitats, ecological restoration, biophilic design.
• Pollution Prevention: air quality, hazardous materials management.
• Case Study: Designing a waste management program for a large mixed-use development, focusing on maximizing diversion and promoting circularity.
• Module 4: Green Building Certifications & Standards
• Overview of leading global certifications: LEED, BREEAM, EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies).
• WELL Building Standard: focusing on occupant health and well-being.6
• Certification processes and requirements: how to achieve and maintain certification.
• Benefits of certification: green premium, lower operating costs, enhanced marketability, risk mitigation.7
• Case Study: Comparing the benefits and process of achieving EDGE certification for a residential project in Kenya versus LEED Gold for a commercial office.
• Module 5: Social (S) Pillar: Tenant & Occupant Well-being
• Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ): air quality, thermal comfort, lighting, acoustics.8
• Health & Wellness Programs: promoting physical activity, mental well-being, access to nature.
• Accessibility & Universal Design: ensuring equitable access for all users.
• Tenant Engagement: fostering sustainable behavior, feedback mechanisms, community building within properties.9
• Case Study: Developing a "tenant well-being" strategy for an office building to enhance occupant satisfaction and productivity.
• Module 6: Social (S) Pillar: Community & Supply Chain
• Community Engagement: stakeholder mapping, local needs assessment, participatory design.
• Affordable Housing & Social Infrastructure: contributing to housing solutions, supporting local amenities.
• Local Economic Impact: job creation, local procurement, supporting small businesses.
• Supply Chain Responsibility: ethical sourcing of materials, fair labor practices.
• Case Study: Analyzing a real estate project that successfully integrated a community benefits agreement (CBA) or contributed significantly to local social infrastructure in an urban area in Kenya.
• Module 7: Social (S) Pillar: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
• DEI in the Workplace: fostering diverse teams, equitable opportunities, inclusive culture.
• DEI in Real Estate Projects: accessible design, diverse tenant mix, representation in decision-making.
• Addressing Social Inequality: the role of real estate in promoting equitable access to spaces and opportunities.
• Fair Housing & Anti-discrimination Practices.
• Case Study: Examining a real estate company's internal DEI strategy and its impact on their projects and corporate culture.
• Module 8: Governance (G) Pillar: Corporate Structure & Ethics
• Board Structure & Oversight: independent directors, board diversity, committee functions (e.g., ESG committee).
• Ethics & Anti-Corruption: codes of conduct, whistleblower policies, anti-bribery measures.
• Data Privacy & Cybersecurity: protecting sensitive information.
• Shareholder Rights & Engagement: transparency, proxy voting, active ownership.
• Case Study: Reviewing the corporate governance structure of a publicly listed real estate company and its alignment with international best practices and Kenyan Companies Act (2015) requirements.
• Module 9: Governance (G) Pillar: Risk Management & Reporting
• ESG Risk Management: identifying, assessing, and mitigating ESG-related financial and reputational risks.
• Climate Risk Disclosure (TCFD): physical and transition risks specific to real estate.
• ESG Reporting Frameworks: GRESB (Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark), SASB, GRI.
• ESG Data Collection & Management: tools, metrics, data integrity.
• Case Study: Preparing an ESG risk map for a real estate portfolio and outlining key mitigation strategies, emphasizing data collection challenges in emerging markets.
• Module 10: ESG Integration in Investment & Valuation
• ESG in Investment Decision-Making: screening, integration, impact investing.
• Financial Benefits of ESG: "green premium," lower vacancy rates, higher rents, reduced operating costs, access to green finance.10
• Valuation Methodologies: incorporating ESG factors into DCF, capitalization rates, and comparable sales.
• Green Finance Instruments: green bonds (e.g., Acorn's green bond in Kenya), sustainability-linked loans.
• Case Study: Valuing a property with strong ESG credentials and demonstrating how ESG factors influence its financial performance and attractiveness to investors.
• Module 11: ESG in the Real Estate Lifecycle & Asset Classes
• ESG in Development: site selection, design, construction, material sourcing.
• ESG in Property Management: operations, maintenance, tenant engagement.
• ESG in Existing Buildings: retrofitting, refurbishment, performance optimization.
• Asset-Specific ESG Strategies: residential (affordable, student), commercial (office, retail), industrial/logistics, hospitality.
• Case Study: Developing tailored ESG strategies for a diverse real estate portfolio comprising a new green office building and an older residential complex.
• Module 12: Future of ESG in Real Estate & Emerging Trends
• Net Zero Carbon Real Estate: pathways, challenges, and opportunities.
• Biodiversity Net Gain: new regulations and industry standards.
• Social Value Creation: measuring and reporting on broader societal impact.
• The role of PropTech: AI, blockchain, IoT for ESG performance, transparency, and data.
• Emerging Regulations & Investor Expectations: global and local trends (e.g., further developments in Kenya's ESG landscape).
• Case Study: Discussing an innovative ESG project that pushes the boundaries of sustainability and social impact in the real estate sector, considering future trends and their applicability in developing economies.

 

Training Methodology 

• Interactive Workshops: Facilitated discussions, group exercises, and problem-solving activities.
• Case Studies: Real-world examples to illustrate successful community-based surveillance practices.
• Role-Playing and Simulations: Practice engaging communities in surveillance activities.
• Expert Presentations: Insights from experienced public health professionals and community leaders.
• Group Projects: Collaborative development of community surveillance plans.
• Action Planning: Development of personalized action plans for implementing community-based surveillance.
• Digital Tools and Resources: Utilization of online platforms for collaboration and learning.
• Peer-to-Peer Learning: Sharing experiences and insights on community engagement.
• Post-Training Support: Access to online forums, mentorship, and continued learning resources.

 

Register as a group from 3 participants for a Discount 

Send us an email: info@datastatresearch.org or call +254724527104 

Certification

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a globally recognized certificate.

Tailor-Made Course 

We also offer tailor-made courses based on your needs.

Key Notes

• Participants must be conversant in English.
• Upon completion of training, participants will receive an Authorized Training Certificate.
• The course duration is flexible and can be modified to fit any number of days.
• Course fee includes facilitation, training materials, 2 coffee breaks, buffet lunch, and a Certificate upon successful completion.
• One-year post-training support, consultation, and coaching provided after the course.
• Payment should be made at least a week before the training commencement to DATASTAT CONSULTANCY LTD account, as indicated in the invoice, to enable better preparation.