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REIT sustainability data is shifting from reporting to strategy
Nareit said 96% of equity REITs in the FTSE Nareit All Equity REITs Index now publish standalone sustainability reports, upholding demand for measurable plans to drive ROI.
Sustainability is increasingly being built into core business strategy at REITs, with companies using sustainability data to guide investment decisions, manage risk, and target long-term value across portfolios, panelists said during a Nareit webinar on July 21 titled “Sustainability & Strategy: What REITs Are Doing in 2026.” The discussion coincided with the release of Nareit’s REIT Industry Sustainability Report 2026, which examines sustainability reporting and practices among the industry’s largest REITs, and it added sector level analysis to show how priorities can differ by property type.
Nareit SVP Jessica Long, who moderated the event, said sustainability reporting has become standard practice across the industry, with 96% of equity REITs in the FTSE Nareit All Equity REITs Index publishing standalone sustainability reports. The report also reflects investors’ growing focus on how firms plan to achieve sustainability goals, not just the goals themselves.
Panelists from Host Hotels & Resorts, Prologis, Tanger, and Empire State Realty Trust discussed how they use verified data in operating processes and capital decisions. Prologis’ sustainability leadership said investor conversations often center on its net zero commitment and the underlying data, with an approach focused on measurement, energy efficiency, electrification, and renewable energy, while Empire State Realty Trust emphasized that accurate, verified data supports project performance reviews, capital allocation decisions, and communications to investors and boards.
The panel also highlighted how sustainability related datasets connect to business outcomes. Empire State Realty Trust noted that energy, water, maintenance, compliance, and cost information helps define an asset’s value and risk profile, while Prologis’ panelist said sustainability data should not be treated as static reporting, but integrated into the planning and processes used across the organization.
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