CORP CRR 2024 8.5x11 v10 - Flipbook - Page 13
CLIMATE RESILIENCY
We are committed to contributing to the resiliency of the
climate by being good stewards of the environment and
minimizing environmental impacts resulting from the
development and operation of our properties.
We collect environmental data for our properties through an
integrated environmental management system (EMS) that
aims to analyze and mitigate environmental and climate risks
and promote resiliency. Our primary goal is to increase energy,
water and waste efficiencies across our portfolio and in our
operations.
We seek to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and
minimize the environmental footprint associated with the
development and operation of our properties. We are actively
decarbonizing our portfolio and have aligned our initiatives
with global standards and best practices, including the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the
Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)).
The Investment Committee of our Board of Directors
oversees all aspects of our climate risk strategy, including
the review of risk management policies, managing budgets,
setting performance objectives and monitoring program
implementation and performance. The Investment Committee
meets with our Corporate Resiliency Team periodically to
monitor progress towards climate-related goals, discuss
climate-related issues and opportunities and review impacts
of recent acquisitions and divestitures.
We have adopted an asset life cycle perspective when
assessing physical and transitional climate-related risks.
This life cycle view of our portfolio is informed and guided by
our environmentally focused acquisition, development and
asset management procedures. Overall, our climate resiliency
initiatives aim to:
• Manage climate-related physical and transition risks
throughout the life cycle of our assets
• Regularly assess the physical risks associated with
climate change
• Utilize industry leading risk assessment tools to assess the
potential financial impacts of climate risk factors
• Develop individual climate resiliency plans for assets with
elevated climate-related risks
• Implement strategies to improve climate resiliency:
– Due diligence climate risk assessments
– Business continuity planning
– Emergency response and evacuation planning
– Floodable first floors
– Elevated electrical infrastructure
– Temporary flood barriers
– Life safety analysis and back-up energy generation
HIGHWOODS LONG-TERM
CARBON STRATEGY
CARBON
OFFSETS
OFF-SITE
RENEWABLES
ON-SITE RENEWABLES
ELECTRIFICATION
UPGRADE SYSTEMS
REDUCE ENERGY USAGE
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