SA REIT Association Launches Sustainability Disclosure Guide

The South African Real Estate Investment Trust Association (SA REIT), in partnership with Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB), has launched the SAREIT Sustainability Disclosure Guide to establish sustainability standards and best practices for the country’s real estate sector.

• SA REIT launches Sustainability Disclosure Guide to establish standards and best practices for sustainability reporting in South Africa’s real estate sector.
• Guide aligns with global ESG standards and promotes transparency, improving the comparability, consistency, and reliability of sustainability disclosures for SA REIT members.
• Sustainability reporting aids investment decisions, providing investors with insights into long-term viability, risk management, and growth potential in the property sector.

Key Role of the Guide

• Standardises Sustainability Reporting: The guide provides a framework to enhance sustainability and climate-related disclosures for SA REIT members, promoting consistency and transparency.
• Aligns with Global ESG Standards: It adheres to international best practices, including the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).
• Supports Investment Decisions: The guide helps investors assess a company’s long-term viability, risk management, and growth potential based on reliable ESG data.

How to Use the Guide

1. Enhance Reporting Quality: Use the guide to improve the consistency and reliability of sustainability reports, facilitating easier comparisons between organisations.
2. Align with JSE Guidelines: The guide complements the JSE Sustainability and Climate Change Disclosure Guidance, recommended for use alongside this framework.
3. Facilitate Benchmarking: By standardising key sustainability concepts, the guide enables better cross-organisational comparisons, supporting analysis and valuations.

Benefits for SA REIT Members

• Transparency & Accountability: Fosters greater stakeholder trust and attracts capital by demonstrating commitment to ESG principles.
• Improved Business Performance: Supports the integration of sustainability into business strategies, improving long-term resilience and value.
• Global Alignment: Ensures that South African property organisations meet global sustainability standards while addressing local challenges.

Comments from Key Stakeholders

Joanne Solomon, CEO of SA REIT:

“We are proud to launch the inaugural Sustainability Disclosure Guide, a critical step in creating a unified, sustainable approach across South Africa’s real estate sector. This guide will help integrate sustainable practices into business strategies, enhancing resilience and long-term value.”

Gary Garrett, Managing Executive of Property Finance at Nedbank CIB:

“Nedbank is committed to promoting a more sustainable future for the real estate sector. This guide plays a key role in fostering transparency and trust, essential for sustainable growth in the property market.”

While voluntary, the SAREIT Sustainability Disclosure Guide is a valuable resource for both issuers and investors in the South African property sector, providing clear frameworks for ESG reporting that align with global best practices. It promotes sustainability, enhances market transparency, and supports the long-term growth of South Africa’s real estate industry.

DOWNLOAD SA REIT Sustainability Disclosure Guide here