CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--EQ Office (“EQ” or “the Company”) today published its 2022 Sustainability and Social Impact (“SSI”) Report, highlighting the Company’s efforts to progress its environmental and social priorities in order to build long-term value for EQ’s stakeholders. In addition, EQ announced its achievement of WELL Health-Safety Rating for 34 of its buildings through the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI).
2022 Sustainability and Social Impact Report
EQ’s 2022 report showcases its commitment to key stakeholders, including employees, customers, vendors, businesses, non-profit partners, and members of the communities in which it operates. Highlights from the report include:
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Furthered efforts to reduce carbon emissions by:
- Calculating and reporting EQ’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions footprint results;
- Procuring green power in line with 58% of EQ’s buildings, which cover more than 9 million square feet;
- Diverting 67% of total construction waste and 34% of waste from EQ’s direct operations from landfill; and
- Implementing and maintaining composting programs at 53% of properties across the portfolio.
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Expanded community and cultural engagement through:
- Launching the Youth Action YouthBuild Mentorship Program in Harlem to provide a group of underrepresented students with mentorship and job training in property management, engineering, security and more;
- Volunteering over 2,000 volunteer hours; and
- Providing one-on-one job training and mentorship to more than 100 individuals.
For more information on the formal practices of EQ’s Sustainability and Social Impact (SSI) program, view the annual report here.
2023 WELL Health-Safety Rating
IWBI’s WELL Health-Safety Rating recognizes leading practices in health and well-being for the ongoing operations and maintenance of real estate. EQ’s achievement of WELL Health-Safety Rating for 34 buildings in 2023 reflects its efforts to implement health-focused building standards for customers. As part of these efforts, EQ continues to implement improved cleaning and sanitation procedures, best-in-class emergency preparedness programs, and air and water quality management.
Executive Commentary
"Over the next year, under the leadership of Samantha Sims, Senior Vice President of Sustainability and Social Impact, we will continue to strengthen our SSI strategy and drive value for our key stakeholders,” said Chief Executive Officer Alex Vouvalides. “Impact initiatives in 2022 were designed to support our customers’ efforts to foster safe and inclusive work environments, offer community building activities, help reduce environmental footprints and generate economic efficiencies, all of which will create more desirable buildings and long-term demand for our spaces.”
“Having recently joined this team in May, I am thrilled to share the results of EQ’s many efforts featured in the 2022 SSI report,” added Senior Vice President, Sustainability and Social Impact Samantha Sims. “The Company’s dedication to sustainability and social impact will continue to drive value and demand for our real estate, while building upon our positive impact on the environment and our communities as we adapt to new ways of working.”
About EQ Office
EQ Office is Blackstone’s US office portfolio company with best-in-class expertise across acquisitions, asset management, leasing, redevelopment & property operations. EQ’s focus is to create and operate inspiring workplace destinations by offering solutions that blend the best of work, home, and hospitality. Our diverse team of 160 professionals currently operate a portfolio of over 20 million square feet for approximately 1,200 customers across major US markets including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle.