19/01/2010

Global leaders in real estate have come together to join the International Sustainability Alliance (ISA). The ISA will lead the way to a sustainable built environment through the collection and analysis of real data and the application of quality science, architecture and engineering.

Founder Members helping to establish the ISA currently includes:

• Befimmo
• BoPro NV
• BNP Paribas REPM (representing BNP Paribas Real Estate Investment Services and BNP Paribas Assurances)
• BRE Trust / BRE Global
• C&A
• Centre Scientifique et Technique du Bâtiment (CSTB)
• Certivea
• Fortrus
• Green Affair
• Redevco
• Sonae Sierra
• Unibail Rodamco
• VastNed

Carol Atkinson, Chief Executive of BRE Global, said: "Businesses are currently drowning in greenwash. They need Government policies that add up, using scientifically-based facts about sustainability, its costs and benefits, enabling them to make informed commercial decisions".

Carole Le Gall, Chief Executive of CSTB, said "Developing alliances and combining strengths is critical to our industry. This co-operation will provide regulators and property industries with a service of outstanding quality. This programme, open to all rating systems/kpi reporting, and with an international governance, will also be recognised globally". 

The ISA will focus on:

• measuring the environmental performance of buildings and the economic impact and added value of a corporate sustainability strategy (data from over 2,600 buildings across 29 different countries is already being collated)
• encouraging consistency of metrics and reporting
• providing world class, secure, internet-based tools to collect, benchmark and intelligently report on building data
• demonstrating the value of sustainable buildings through research
• accelerating progress through independent research, measurement and evaluation of economics and new innovations, technologies, processes and techniques
• ensuring that consistent, transparent sustainability standards achieve maximum reach, continue to grow in scope and advance in value as new knowledge is gained
• providing excellent education and training in built environment sustainability
• providing low cost, third party, assessment, benchmarking and certification

Members of the ISA will be part of a highly influential group supported by science based evidence and knowledge that will inform regulators and policy makers worldwide in matters concerning the built environment. The ISA will provide access to comprehensive data for analysis, benchmarking and KPIs which will simplify reporting under the Global Reporting Index (GRI), the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EBPD) and for CSR reporting.

It will also create a fund to allow members to direct leading edge research and apply the results to the benefit of their business and the wider community.

Anyone interested in joining the ISA should contact David Gall on info@internationalsustainabilityalliance.org or telephone +44 (0)1923 664462. Further general information on the ISA can be found at http://www.internationalsustainabilityalliance.org/

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ENDS

Press enquiries : SIMON GUY, +44(0)1923 664305, info@internationalsustainabilityalliance.org

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Notes for Editors

 

1          The International Sustainability Alliance is jointly initiated by BRE Trust/BRE Global, (http://www.bretrust.org.uk/) and Centre Scientifique et Technique du Bâtiment (CSTB - http://www.cstb.fr/) both leading organisations with a mission to improve the built environment. It is composed of world leading centres of scientific excellence, Green Building Councils, Government stockholders and occupiers, real estate owners, operators, developers, funders and investors and other built environment stakeholders (http://www.internationalsustainabilityalliance.org/) .  

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