The installation of solar panels allows Embassy REIT to adapt to possible future energy shortages caused due to climate variations. By making the switch to renewable energy, we are ensuring a reliable supply of power which is not reliant on depleting resources. The use of solar panels helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which is a key factor in mitigating climate change. By focusing on sustainable energy sources, we are proactively lowering our contribution to rising global temperatures and other climatic disruptions. From a TCFD risk perspective, this initiative is a strategy that helps strengthen resilience against transition market risks as it reduces our exposure to carbon pricing and the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), given that we are lowering our carbon footprint. It can also serve as a proactive measure against policy and legal risks in anticipation of future policies designed to curb nonrenewable energy use and carbon emissions.

Upgrading old systems with energy-efficient designs at Embassy Express Towers reduces energy consumption and GHG emissions, mitigating climate change risks, including future energy shortages and policy-driven cost increases. These upgrades also enhance resilience to temperature rise, mitigate transition risks like carbon pricing, and reduce financial and legal commitments by aligning with anticipated energy efficiency policies.

Reducing energy consumption lowers the entity’s exposure to carbon pricing and emissions trading schemes (ETS). Moving towards an energy-efficient lighting system also preempts shifts in policy and, legal factors which may encourage or mandate energy efficiency in the future. Lower energy usage typically means lower demand for cooling systems in certain facilities, which could be an effective adaptation against rising temperatures. This case study can also be partially considered a mitigation strategy. While the initial goal is not directly targeting GHG emission reduction, it indirectly contributes to it by reducing energy consumption, thus potentially reducing CO2 emissions if the saved energy was to be produced from fossil fuels.

A well-designed outdoor lighting system is an integral attribute of quality-built spaces. They not only light up the façade of the building’s aesthetic appeal but also enhance the safety and security of the premises through adequate and uniform illumination. Integrating energy-efficient lighting solutions can also help conserve energy and reduce environmental impact.

As part of our focus on integrating sustainable solutions into every aspect of our development and operations process, we decided to implement an innovative outdoor lighting design solution at M3 Block B, Embassy Manyata Business Park, Bengaluru.

We installed an energy-efficient outdoor lighting system that not only improved illumination levels and uniformity in pathways and public spaces within the construction site, enhancing safety and security, but also reduced energy consumption and emissions. At the same time, the new system also reduces light pollution and sky glow, minimizing environmental impacts and lowering maintenance costs due to the long lifespan of LED lights. Furthermore, the solar-powered streetlights eliminated a proportional share of electricity demand from the grid.

This is an example of an initiative that directly adapts to acute physical risks such as drought and water stress by ensuring that the valuable water resource is conserved through the implementation of the Rainwater Charging Pits System. This system also reduces the impact of extreme rainfall by providing a mechanism for effective rainwater recharge to the ground, thereby preventing waterlogging and flooding. By preserving water, the system aids in the mitigation of physical chronic risk like water stress. Reducing the loss of valuable water resources and mitigating potential ecological imbalances indirectly contributes to lowering environmental degradation, which is a key element in mitigating the overall effects of climate change.

We initiated a Smart Apiary project in November 2023 at the Rose Garden within the park to bring about a paradigm shift in the way we revitalized the biodiversity of the area.

Leveraging technological advances in IoT devices, we integrated precision beekeeping methods using a solution, BeePrecise, to transform existing beekeeping practices on the campus. This solution monitored the health of honeybees and their behavior in real-time to facilitate improved pollination, a key factor in enriching the biodiversity of the area, creating a more sustainable ecosystem and enhancing the fertility of the land to further ourcommitment to global food security.

With the new advanced solution, we overcame issues like preventing swarms in an urban setting and protecting our occupants’ health. It also helped us monitor and track the vitality of existing hives without requiring infrequent and reactive inspections every 2 to 3 months by outsourced agencies. The long gap between the agency visits often led to swarming or weakened colonies due to delayed interventions.

Our facility management team, trained in precision beekeeping, actively monitors hives remotely. They respond to real-time alerts and follow expert advisories that they receive on their phone via the BeePrecise mobile app, shifting from reactive to proactive hive management. This ensures the strength and health of bee colonies, reflecting an improvement in pollinator population maintenance and beekeeping operations.

Embassy REIT has spearheaded the construction of a Women’s Police Outpost at Gate 1 of Embassy Manyata Business Park, inaugurated by Mr. Laxmi Prasad (Deputy Commissioner of Police) on 7 February, 2024. This outpost represents a significant stride towards bolstering safety and security for all women within and around Manyata. It serves as a dedicated hub where women can confidently seek assistance and report emergencies or safety concerns.

The outpost offers a safe and easily accessible space for women to report crimes, seek assistance, and access support services without apprehension. Manned by female police officers specially trained to address the unique needs and challenges faced by women, including cases of domestic violence, the outpost ensures tailored support and assistance. With a focus on women’s issues and concerns, the outpost facilitates swifter and more effective responses to incidents involving women, ensuring prompt intervention and support. This initiative underscores Embassy REIT’s unwavering commitment to promoting safety, inclusivity, and well-being within the communities we serve, aligning with our broader ESG objectives.

Recognising the importance of education in improving the quality of life and inclusive growth, Embassy GolfLinks has adopted the Challaghata Government School and the Government Urdu School in Nagawara since 2022. At that time, the schools needed urgent infrastructure upgrades and repairs as well as hygienic facilities so students would be enthused to attend classes and continue their education in a healthy and safe environment. Embassy REIT invested in repairing and upgrading facilities, providing clean drinking water, and creating green spaces within the school premises. Additionally, we ran awareness programs to help students and teachers understand the importance of hygiene and sanitation for their overall well-being. Our in-house facilities management team cleans the adopted schools once a fortnight, resulting in a noticeable improvement in the infrastructure and hygiene standards.

The initiatives undertaken by Embassy REIT to improve infrastructure and resources in government schools have led to several significant identified indirect economic impacts. Firstly, by enhancing the learning environment and providing quality infrastructure conducive to learning, these initiatives contribute to improving educational outcomes for students. This, in turn, can lead to a more skilled and productive workforce in the future, thereby fostering economic growth and development in the communities served by these schools. Additionally, by investing in repairing and upgrading facilities and providing clean drinking water, Embassy REIT helps to create a healthy and safe environment for students and teachers. This can lead to reduced absenteeism due to illness and improved overall wellbeing, indirectly impacting productivity and economic activity in the community. Furthermore, by raising awareness about the importance of hygiene and sanitation, Embassy REIT’s initiatives contribute to improving public health outcomes, which can have long-term economic benefits by reducing healthcare costs and improving workforce productivity. Overall, the investment in improving infrastructure and resources in government schools demonstrates Embassy REIT’s commitment to social responsibility and inclusive growth, with positive economic implications for the communities served by these schools.

As part of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, our employees and tenants distributed 2,566 health and hygiene kits to students of the Colaba Municipal School in Mumbai. This initiative was designed to encourage the children to adopt hygienic practices that promote cleanliness and healthy living, positively impacting their growth and development.