AvalonBay Communities’ Mark Delisi Advises REITs to Focus on ESG Programming, Then Reporting

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02/08/2021 | by Diane Rusignola

Mark Delisi, vice president, corporate responsibility at AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (NYSE: AVB), participated in a video interview in conjunction with Nareit’s ESG JumpStart Workshop: 2021 Webinar Series.

Delisi discussed:

Frameworks and third-party aggregators for REITs beginning to report on ESG performance
How third-party aggregators typically use REIT industry ESG metrics
Advice for REITs considering issuing a stand-alone sustainability report for the first time this year

Delisi advises REITs to focus on their ESG programming before venturing to produce a stand-alone sustainability report. “The way you do that is understanding your stakeholders, understanding the critical issues that face you as a company—the risks and opportunities associated with ESG,” he added.

Companies:

Company name

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

Residential

1 Year Total Return

40.33% As of market close 11/19/2024

Stock price

$229.38

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What's a REIT?

REITs, or real estate investment trusts, are companies that own or finance income-producing real estate across a range of property sectors. These real estate companies have to meet a number of requirements to qualify as REITs. Most REITs trade on major stock exchanges, and they offer a number of benefits to investors.

Why Invest in REITs

REITs historically have delivered competitive total returns, based on high, steady dividend income and long-term capital appreciation. Their comparatively low correlation with other assets also makes them an excellent portfolio diversifier that can help reduce overall portfolio risk and increase returns. These are the characteristics of real estate investment.

About Nareit

Nareit serves as the worldwide representative voice for REITs and real estate companies with an interest in U.S. real estate. Nareit’s members are REITs and other real estate companies throughout the world that own, operate, and finance income-producing real estate, as well as those firms and individuals who advise, study, and service those businesses.