There’s no denying that 2020 was a year of great upheaval. The world contended with a global pandemic, and we all became witnesses to the tragic and all too frequent consequences of racial injustice. But like all periods of difficulty, there are opportunities to emerge wiser and more resilient if we embrace the learning opportunities that uniquely come from struggle. Acknowledging the systemic challenges that inhibit progress gives us a new mandate to take action and make it right.
Now more than ever, business leaders see environmental, social and governance (ESG) as crucial to competitiveness. While environmental sustainability has been top of mind in the real estate community for well over a decade, the long-overdue spotlight on the S (social performance) in ESG is finally having its moment.