Bentall Kennedy ranked as a global sustainability leader in 2014 GRESB survey

TORONTO, Sept. 5, 2014 /CNW/ - Bentall Kennedy proudly announces its top ranking in the 2014 Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB).  Among 637 participants covering 56,000 buildings with an aggregate value of USD 2.1 trillion, the survey results released today by the GRESB benchmark rank Bentall Kennedy as:  

• the top firm globally (Global Leader) for the Diversified property type
• the top North American firm (Regional Leader) for the Diversified - Large Cap property type
• the United States leader for the Diversified property type peer group, as real estate advisor for  Multi-Employer Property Trust/MEPT Edgemoor

"GRESB's focus on sustainability best practices aligns very strongly with Bentall Kennedy's core commitment to responsible property investment and management. We are very pleased to rank among the top firms worldwide for the fourth year in a row," said Gary Whitelaw, Chief Executive Officer for the Bentall Kennedy Group. "Our core values include an ongoing focus on exceptional performance in the areas of environmental, social and governance practice.  We believe these practices drive long-term value for our clients.  It's simply better business, for us and for them."

The GRESB benchmark, based in the Netherlands, is committed to assessing the sustainability performance of real estate portfolios around the globe. They conduct an annual survey that measures the ESG performance of listed and private property funds. "We pride ourselves on our ability to deliver a high level of sustainability performance for our clients, which enables them to be leaders in responsible property investing," added Whitelaw. "Our GRESB ranking as a Global Sector Leader confirms our success in creating transparency on this performance, while also affirming the direction of our platform-wide sustainability programs."

The published report cites the organization and/or fund ranked first for each asset class; retail, industrial, office, residential, healthcare and hotels, and a diversified category in each of the following regions; North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Bentall Kennedy ranked as the top performer among the 157 companies globally in the Diversified category, including all its asset classes.

Within these detailed category results, the MEPT/MEPT Edgemoor funds for which Bentall Kennedy is the real estate advisor ranked first overall amongst 36 funds in the United States in the Diversified property peer group.  "Our GRESB results reflect our disciplined, data-driven approaches to portfolio management," said Mike McKee, CEO of Bentall Kennedy in the United States.  "For our clients and for us, the availability of broad ESG data and the fully-transparent disclosure of this information are tremendously important."

The survey gathers information on sustainable management practices and policies, and implementation and measurement of energy consumption, water consumption, waste collection, recycling, CO2 emissions, and on employee training programs and remuneration policies.

About Bentall Kennedy

Bentall Kennedy is one of North America's largest real estate investment advisors and one of its foremost providers of real estate services. Bentall Kennedy serves the interests of close to 500 investors and their 134 million square feet of office, retail, industrial, and multi-residential properties valued at over $32 billion throughout Canada and the U.S.

Bentall Kennedy is a member of UN PRI and is a recognized global leader in Responsible Property Investing.

Bentall Kennedy includes Bentall Kennedy (Canada) Limited Partnership and Bentall Kennedy (U.S.) Limited Partnership.

This document is not intended to, and does not, constitute an offer to buy or sell any securities.  An offering of securities in Canada or the United States can only be made in accordance with applicable securities laws, including the applicable registration requirements or exemptions therefrom.  Questions relating to MEPT / MEPT Edgemoor should be directed to LBC Capital Partners LLC.

For more information, visit www.bentallkennedy.com.

SOURCE: Bentall Kennedy

Shaun Little, Director, Corporate Communications, Bentall Kennedy Group, 416-681-2726-3558 or [email protected]