Walls & Futures REIT plc (“WAFR”), the Ethical Housing investor and developer, today announced it had joined P1 Investment Management’s Net-Zero Carbon (“NZC10”) target as part of its Ethical Investment Policy rollout.
The NZC10 target was devised by P1 Investment Management with guidance from climate scientists and an external Ethical Oversight Committee which seeks to directly focus investment on carbon-neutrality by fund managers concerned about ethical and sustainability issues.
Funds with over £8 billion in Assets Under Management have adopted NZC10 and include the Aegon Global Sustainable Equity Fund, Artemis Positive Future Fund, Janus Henderson Global Sustainable Equity Fund, Liontrust Sustainable Future Corporate Bond Fund, Montanaro Better World Fund, Triodos Pioneer Impact Fund and WHEB Sustainability Fund.
Joe McTaggart, CEO of Walls & Futures REIT plc commented:
“As we move forward, our Ethical Investment Policy will guide our thinking so to ensure we deliver on our mission in a responsible manner, mindful of our environmental and social impact.
As a developer of Specialist Supported Housing, we are committed to delivering buildings that are net zero carbon over their whole lives. Our intention is to utilise the framework created by the UK Green Building Council on our bespoke housing solution for autism, both minimising the carbon emissions from the construction process and emission for the in-use operational energy.
We believe our Ethical Investment Policy will serve as a screening guide for individual and institutional investors seeking credible and impactful ESG/ethical investments.”
Dr Quintin Rayer, Head of Sustainable Investment, P1 Investment Management Commented:
“Ethical investors often focus on industries and society becoming carbon-neutral, but we must not forget the significant footprint of the buildings we use. We are delighted that Walls & Futures has adopted the NZC10 target. Sustainable carbon-neutral social housing is a piece of the jigsaw puzzle that helps ensure the whole of society meets net-zero goals.
Having a REIT embrace NZC10 shows its flexibility and ease of adoption across many asset classes, which was one of our aims when we first envisioned the target. That the first REIT to join is a developer of Specialist Supported Housing, raises the ethical bar, and makes us very proud of the calibre of those who are part of it.”