This guide addresses how the developing issue of Business and Human Rights (BHR) affects property ownership and management industries. Addressing BHR is a way to strengthen cultures of respect, dignity and ethics within our member organizations and mitigate risk.
This Guide provides an overview of the key BHR concepts drawn from the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (OECD Guidelines). It then applies these concepts to property ownership and management before setting out how to incorporate BHR concerns into your operations. Finally, the appendices provide examples for due diligence and contractual provisions.
As the global economy continues to chart a path in the post-pandemic world, real estate investment has a new favourite buzzword – new economy assets. While the term arose with the advent of digital and internet technologies, amid surging inflation and rising interest rates, new economy assets have taken on a whole lot of significance.
So, what is so new about the new economy? A key dynamic is the integration of digital technologies that is overhauling old economy services and products, spurred innovative distribution channels and sparked new, high-growth industries that are plugged into the tech and science megatrends. Increasingly, digital transformation is shaping the way we live, work and play and the real estate sectors underpinning this megatrend is set for a multi-year upcycle.
Riding the digital wave
The evolution of industry with the rise of new technologies is certainly not new. Throughout history, innovation has hastened creative destruction and redefined the global economy, with mobile technologies and the rise of e-commerce at the centre of the digital age. While the shift was under way before the pandemic, the impact of social distancing has been significant. The need to stay connected during the outbreak fast-tracked digital adoption. Across industries, companies were compelled to employ communication and mobile technologies and pivot to tech-enabled services.
The transition has prompted the rise of asset classes that are more geared to the requirements of the digital landscape. From cell towers and data centres to logistics hubs that make online living possible, the saying that real estate houses the economy also holds true in the new digital era. It is simple yet compelling link: megatrends need real estate and the bigger the tech, the more infrastructure required. The impact of digital disruption, magnified, will continue reverberating beyond the pandemic and drive structurally higher levels of technology investment.
Asia Pacific remains well positioned to ride the digital wave. Already by far the largest market for retail e-commerce, the region, home to more than half of the world’s population has over 60% born after 1990 – digital natives that will drive the adoption of digital technologies. According to a survey by McKinsey, this was fast forwarded by four years by consumers in the Asia Pacific while those for businesses leapt by 10 during the pandemic, the highest globally.
A spectrum of investment opportunities
This has cast several alternative sectors in a new light, awaking investors to the potential that such assets hold. Healthcare and Life Sciences became prominent in the wake of the health crisis while demand for streaming content have attracted funds to develop film production studios. Still, although a major headline, new economy real estate is not just about technology. Primarily, it is about capturing the underlying trends that are now rippling across Asia Pacific and globally.
A case in point is the region’s living sector, which is at the forefront of such shifts. Rapid urbanization, ageing demographics and remote working are propelling the nascent living sectors – from Multifamily to Co-living and Assisted Living – into the mainstream and attracting massive institutional funds. As more people gravitate to cities, the need for the required infrastructure buildup has also created a spectrum of long-term investment opportunities. In a low-growth, inflationary environment that we are now saddled with in this new normal, Infrastructure is an ideal countercyclical given its potential to provide high, stable and inflation-linked returns.
The resilience of such sectors is visibly demonstrated in listed real estate. Healthcare, Industrial and Residential REITs, as tracked by the GPR/APREA REIT Composite, have sustained positive annualized returns over a three-year period while those in Office, Hospitality and Retail are in the red. Notably, Industrial REITs’ market capitalization have risen over 50% during the pandemic, and despite the recent correction, remain more than 30% higher than its pre-pandemic peak.
Rebalancing and future-proofing
This new real estate world order have also wrought changes to investment strategies. An important feature in the new economy is the emergence of digital leaders and the inter-dependence of value chains, which create significant network effects. That means achieving scale rapidly is critical for investors to capture a large portion of market share in a sector.
To access the opportunities thrown up in the new landscape, investors need speed with execution. This means a need to build heft rapidly. Across the region, real estate players have restructured and pursuing M&As to expand and remain relevant, with integrated asset and fund management arms that has created an end-to-end platform to develop and incubate real estate developments through to its injection into a public vehicle. REITs with stabilized portfolios of new economy assets in developed markets are now being targeted in mega deals.
The current economic environment is creating an urgent need for investors to rebalance and future proof their portfolios. New economy sectors sit at the crossroads of major demographic and economic shifts as well as technological trends, which are occurring in the region and visibly underserved by traditional real estate classes. Layering in climate change concerns adds a further dimension to the idea of new economy assets, expanding possibilities.
In a rising rate environment and surging inflationary pressures, identifying sectors that are structurally undersupplied with the right long term demand fundamentals which generates positive rental reversions will be crucial in sustaining real returns. On all counts, new economy real estate is a powerful thematic that checks these boxes. These compelling fundamentals, taking place in a region that could eventually host more than half of the world’s megacities, promises a massive investment opportunity in the very assets that will be critical in securing its future.
Sigrid Zialcita
CEO Asia Pacific Real Assets Association
Sigrid Zialcita
CEO Asia Pacific Real Assets Association
Sigrid is the Chief Executive Officer of Asia Pacific Real Assets Association (APREA). Based in Singapore, she is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction, initiatives and operations of the association across Asia Pacific. Under her leadership, APREA repositioned to an industry trade group focusing on real estate and infrastructure.
Prior to APREA, she served as Managing Director of Asia Pacific Research and Advisory Services of Cushman & Wakefield (C&W) from 2010 through 2018, where she was responsible for research, thought leadership, strategy formulation and client management.
A recognized expert in global economic, public policy and real estate issues, Sigrid is a frequent speaker at industry events. Her commentary on commercial and residential real estate markets is also regularly featured in a wide array of global publications, including the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Bloomberg, New York Times and Reuters. Additionally, she has made several television appearances on financial networks and radio such as CNBC, Bloomberg, CNN, National Public Radio and Channel News Asia.
The Asia Pacific logistics & industrial market continues to perform strongly, underpinned by strong fundamentals – though there is emerging evidence that growth is switching from the investment market to the occupier market.
Rebound, Revenge & Re-Invent: A New Journey for Retail Realty (Cushman & Wakefield)
The retail sector is considered a core asset class in the Indian real estate industry. Currently, it is recovering from the toughest business climate it has ever experienced due to the pandemic. Retailers, developers, and investors are taking cautious steps while delving into the segment, owing to 2 main factors – the e-commerce onslaught, and higher digital adoption among consumers.
There was a strong return to malls after restrictions were lifted. Revenues and footfalls of mall developers and retailers have largely recovered to pre-pandemic levels.
Cushman & Wakefield’s latest report on a new journey for retail realty addresses:
Rebound – Retail real estate’s current story Revenge – As pandemic fears recede, a shopping culture has emerged Re-Invent – Retailers and mall developers consider the adoption of digital & analytics and tech integrations
To read more about the journey of the retail sector of India’s real estate, read the report: Rebound, Revenge & Re-Invent.
2022 Asia Pacific Hotels & Hospitality Update: A Roadmap to Recovery (CBRE)
Confidence in Asia Pacific’s Hotels & Hospitality market continues to grow as borders reopen and operating performance recovers to pre-pandemic levels.
The recovery continues to be largely driven by domestic demand, with international arrivals accelerating in markets within the Pacific and Southeast Asia, which have loosened entry and quarantine restrictions and are now open to all arrivals. CBRE forecasts tourism arrivals within the region to reach pre-pandemic levels by 2024, with hotels performance to reach 2019 levels in the same period.
Furthermore, given the daily pricing structure and flexibility of rate changes in an evolving economic climate, hotels provide an inflationary hedge. CBRE is therefore forecasting increased investor appetite for operational real estate, such as hotels, as a strategy to enhance and/or maintain portfolio returns.
As human beings, we are curious by nature. If you reflect on your choices, profession, passion, you will realize that you resonate with the idea at its very core. It is observed that we are able to respond and perform better when we connect with the thought, concept of what we are doing. When an organization formulates its business strategy, it is always aligned with the vision of the organization. Similarly, it is important that ESG and sustainability are factored in the vision of the organization. It is only when ESG and sustainability as a concept resonate with the organization’s values and its people, they will succeed and have the desired impact.
At IndInfravit, we have attempted to engrain ESG in our DNA. But before doing that we reflected on our business objectives, the ecosystem, our culture and our vision. As an organization, we are continually striving to achieve and maintain the highest quality standards in the operations and maintenance of projects throughout their concessionary term while incorporating environmental and social considerations important for long term survival of business. Being a key player in the infrastructure space, we are cognizant of the impact we have on the overall ecosystem – economy, environment, society and community at large. It has been our endeavour to create a positive impact on the business neighbourhood, environment and the country as a whole. We acknowledge that to drive this, it is important to engage with our stakeholders, work cohesively and hold ourselves accountable. We strongly believe that our ability to take decisions which create a positive impact on the ecosystem forms the very core of sustainability. Imbibing ESG into our business strategy, thus seemed a perfect choice.
Walk the talk
Once you have identified the reason, the next step is to identify specific initiatives and design a framework to drive the ESG agenda. The initiatives could range from implementing solutions, which are readily available, to solutions, which might require innovation and brainstorming. Another important aspect is the oversight and governance around ESG. Typically, an ESG committee comprising of the CXO’s/BODs would augur well for driving ESG related initiatives. Commitment from all stakeholders is essential to ensure that the ESG agenda is implemented in spirit.
At IndInfravit, we have undertaken various initiatives to streamline our GHG emissions. We are in the process of integrating low-carbon energy sources for our operational usage which would significantly reduce our carbon footprint. We have an integrated approach of tolling system operated by solar energy. We have also undertaken the process of conversion of HPSV lamps to LED lights.
We are committed towards lowering our environmental footprint as well as implementing resource- saving practices along the whole value chain. Drip irrigation, ground-water recharge, tracking and measuring pollution, migrating to greener fuels, using green DG sets are some of the initiatives implemented in this regard. We are working towards continual improvement in workforce strategy, terms of employment and employee benefits.
From an implementation and oversight perspective, we have developed an implementation strategy, which penetrates right to the Project Head level. Our aim was to empower our Project Heads to run the initiatives on ground, then have our SBU heads review the pace of implementation and eventually have these dovetail to the CXO’s office for continuous oversight and direction.
I would like to conclude by saying that eventually it is our responsibility to embrace sustainability and pass on to our generations a planet, they can cherish, a way of life that will sustain.
Pawan Kant
Chief Executive Officer LTIDPL IndVIT Services Ltd (Investment Manager to the IndInfravit Trust) ×
Mr. Pawan Kant
Chief Executive Officer LTIDPL IndVIT Services Ltd (Investment Manager to the IndInfravit Trust)
Mr. Pawan Kant is an Infrastructure & Engineering professional with over 3 decade experience in executing and management of large infrastructure projects including on PPP basis. His areas of expertise besides P&L are Project Execution, Operations and Management, M&A, Bidding, Commercial & Contracts etc. He has worked on large projects in India and Overseas. He has worked with the House of Tata’s besides experience of other domestic and international corporates such as Kalpataru Power Transmission Limited, Singapore Technologies, Hindustan Construction Company Limited, Great Eastern Shipping, etc. He has worked on Roads and Highways, Industrial Park, SEZs, Power Transmission, Townships, etc.
He was also instrumental in successfully executing India’s first integrated project on Relationship Contract model (Alliance Contracts); the largest logistics project in SE Asia, multiproduct SEZ in India, Highway etc. He has also worked on initiatives of World Economic Forum.
As CEO of Investment Manager to the IndInfravit platform, he is responsible for management and growth of the assets under the portfolio. IndInfravit Trust is India’s foremost Public Listed Privately held platform. It owns and operates 13 highway projects accumulating 5000 kms length. Globally renowned long-term Investors – CPPIB India Advisors Private Limited, Allianz Capital Partners GmbH & OMERS Infrastructure Europe Limited are Key Investors into the platform.
Unlocking Strategy in a Changing Environment (Cushman & Wakefield)
This report, Part II in Cushman & Wakefield’s Reset 2022 trilogy, brings together the views of a panel of institutional investors as shared during the webinar “Unlocking Strategy in a Changing Environment”.
The analysis in this report draws upon these views along with live audience polling conducted during the webinar and the results of an investor intention survey conducted over approximately three weeks in August 2022.
Resilience in the Commercial Real Estate Industry: Protecting Value for an Uncertain Future (BOMA)
BOMA’s latest guide offers practical guidance for operations managers while connecting the data collection practices for operational management and efficiency with corporate portfolio risk management.
We already collect much of what we need to understand our risk exposures, providing an auditable trail of evidence for routine filings and declarations of how the property portfolio is affected by climate change and other contextual trends.
Critically, it allows us to focus on what we can control: our operations.
We can know and manage how a failure in the power supply will affect us, and therefore what we must do to ensure that our tenants and we can continue to operate effectively. It is the underlying concept behind operational resilience: safe-to-fail.
It builds confidence and value in the market, distinguishing properties that can support continued operations over those that fail. When we view our properties through an operational resilience lens, many opportunities present themselves in cost and risk reduction while enhancing operating efficiencies and value.
A New Trinity for Measuring Data Centre Sustainability (Cushman & Wakefield)
The Asia Pacific data centre market is one of the fastest developing regions and is on track to become the world’s largest over the next decade. Explosive growth in data centre demand across the region, however, has deepened the sector’s environmental impact.
Leaders in the data centre industry have responded by becoming powerful voices for sustainable change and as per a recent webinar on Data Centres in Australia Driving the Sustainability Agenda, they are interested more in collaborating than competing and agree that newer standards and gauges can unlock the next green wave of impact and value.
Data centres have traditionally relied on Power Usage Efficiency (PUE) as the sustainability metric of choice. While substantial improvements in PUE standards have been made over the years, measuring PUE alone fails to capture the full environmental impact of data centres.
In this report, we explore how PUE, in combination with Water Usage Efficiency (WUE) and Carbon Usage Effectiveness (CUE) can form a more holistic measure of sustainability performance.
Global REITs Through Economic Cycles (Hazelview Investments)
Although no two cycles are the same, looking at bear markets since the 1970’s, we believe a ‘typical recession’ has already been priced in and the path forward for REITs offers promise.
Kemmu Kawai joined Longevity Partners Japan in September 2022 as the Country Director. Based in Tokyo, he oversees all operations and activities in Japan, the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. He brings him more than 16 years of experience in finance where he specialised in real estate and credit investments. Before joining Longevity Partners, he served as a Portfolio Manager at Norinchukin Bank and as Investment Manager at Center Point Development.
