WASHINGTON, D.C. (Nov. 20, 2024) – Nareit presented the 19th annual Leader in the Light® Awards at its REITworld: 2024 Annual Conference in Las Vegas. These awards are given to REITs that demonstrate leadership in implementing sustainable and socially responsible investment and operating practices, good governance, and transparency.
The nine REITs receiving a 2024 Leader in the Light Award for their sector include:
- Data Centers: Digital Realty (NYSE: DLR)
- Diversified: JBG SMITH (NYSE: JBGS)
- Health Care: Ventas, Inc. (NYSE: VTR)
- Industrial: Prologis, Inc. (NYSE: PLD)
- Lodging/Resorts: DiamondRock Hospitality Company (NYSE: DRH)
- Office: BXP (NYSE: BXP)
- Residential: Equity Residential (NYSE: EQR)
- Retail: Kimco Realty Corporation (NYSE: KIM)
- Self-Storage: Public Storage (NYSE: PSA)
This year, Nareit introduced a new category for public non-listed REITs (PNLR), and JLL Income Property Trust, Inc. receives the PNLR Leader in the Light Award this year.
“Significant steps are being taken by REITs to implement sustainable, transparent practices that strengthen resilience, add investor value, and positively impact communities,” said Nareit President & CEO Steven A. Wechsler. “We are honored to be part of an industry committed to sustainability, with our members leading the way in driving those initiatives.”
The 2024 Leader in the Light Awards are based on the results of the GRESB Annual Real Estate Assessment and responses to supplemental questions scored by an interdisciplinary panel of judges that included:
- Jeff Benavides, USGBC
- Joanna Frank, Center for Active Design
- Jacques Gordon, MIT
- Shea Jameel, Marsh
- Jim Landau, Met Life
- Kristi Knudson, Grant Thornton
- Jennifer Leitsch, EY
- Brendan McCarthy, Calvert
- Spenser J. Robinson, Professor Director of Real Estate, Finance/Law
- Marla Thalheimer, Institute for Market Transformation
- Tensie Whelan, NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business
- Breana Wheeler, BRE
“We are thrilled to recognize our members who have set the standard for advancing sustainability practices in their buildings and local communities and who are driving meaningful impact,” said Nareit Senior Vice President of Environmental Stewardship & Sustainability Jessica Long. “We appreciate the judges’ dedication in evaluating these initiatives, which help propel the industry toward a more resilient and sustainable future for all.”
Additional Awards and Resources
In September, Nareit introduced the Sustainability Impact Awards, which recognize REITs for implementing sustainable practices that demonstrate leadership, ingenuity, and environmental impact in the commercial real estate industry. The awards include three categories that are focused on design, operational practices, and individual leadership.
Also in September, Nareit presented its Diversity Impact Awards, which recognize REITs that take intentional approaches to implementing, measuring, and scaling inclusive policies and practices within their companies and across supply chains.
To complement its award programs and further help its members, Nareit offers dedicated resources to support sustainable and social responsibility practices within the industry. These include:
- the REIT Industry Sustainability Report 2024;
- research about REIT sustainability and its link to outperformance;
- sustainability-focused events and webinars; and
the Real Estate Sustainability Council, Social Responsibility Council, and Corporate Governance Council, which offer members opportunities to engage with Nareit on key issues.