ESG - Savanna

Our Integrated Team Strategy

At Savanna, we believe that making ESG a priority will benefit both the industry and the communities in which we work and live. We strive to promote corporate responsibility in environmental, social and governance issues by integrating these principles into our daily operations and investment decisions.

Savanna‘s vision for a more sustainable and carbon-free portfolio was launched in 2020. An ESG committee was subsequently formed, and goals were established to achieve net-zero carbon emissions across all portfolio buildings by 2040.

Our governance model at Savanna includes a holistic approach that begins with ESG as a core business principle. At the center of our ESG process, we are intentional in communicating closely with third parties and ESG risk consultants to ensure that our management teams are current on best practices and new standards in maintaining our policies.

Key ESG Achievements

Initiatives that Savanna has implemented in connection with ground up developments since 2020.

Download ESG Report

ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

LEED/ENERGY STAR/WELL Health Safety

As of 2021, Savanna has over 3 million square feet of LEED certified buildings. Savanna achieved ENERGY Star certification accounting for over 2.7 million square feet of office buildings. Savanna’s entire portfolio assets earned a WELL Health-Safety Rated certification.

Our Portfolio objectives are also aligned with environmental responsibility. Savanna has achieved the GRESB 5 STAR Rating and Green Star Designation for 6 funds.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

DE&I – Increasing a Diverse Talent Pool and Promoting Women in Leadership

Savanna has created DE&I initiatives aimed at increasing diverse talent recruitment across the firm. In 2021, Savanna created a DE&I council for the purpose of developing actionable goals in diversity and inclusion. This includes active support from top leadership as well as from each business unit in the firm.

At Savanna, we endeavor to create opportunities for all people, regardless of background, race, or ethnicity. Differences in experience and opinion are drivers of greater productivity, and we believe maintaining a diverse talent base could create a more harmonious and overall positive work environment.
We firmly believe in extending equal access and opportunity to all. More on our programs and intentional actions for recruiting talent from underserved backgrounds can be found in ‘Project Savanna’ here on our website (link).

Practical actions to support our DE&I initiatives include:

Quarterly newsletter to inform all employees about DEI initiatives
Actively engaging the team in upcoming training, networking, and social events
Standardizing procedures for the recruitment and hiring process to reduce unintended bias
Engaging in mentorship and volunteer opportunities
Revising Savanna’s employee surveys to include confidential questions regarding employee demographics and the Savanna company climate

SAVANNA WOMEN’s INITIATIVE (SWI)

One of Savanna‘s guiding philosophies includes ensuring we are creating opportunities for women in leadership and other similar roles. Savanna recognizes the valuable contribution that women provide to our team. The mission of the Savanna Women’s Initiative (SWI) is to promote professional development and leadership opportunities for the firm’s female team members by fostering a culture in which the success of women is respected, valued, and supported. SWI engages all employees at Savanna with a focus on recruiting, retaining, and cultivating female talent.

To promote our values, we host companywide events and seminars aimed at cultivating women in leadership roles. From luncheons to networking events, we are proactive in our efforts to promote inclusivity and nurture women in our company and culture.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Savanna founded an ESG executive committee to ensure corporate and asset level compliance and adherence to globally recognized sustainability programs such as Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB). In 2021, Savanna issued the first ESG report that is aligned with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), and Task Force for Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). Savanna is committed to transparent reporting and disclosures for all agencies and standards.

Green Cleaning Program