Sustainability in Supply Chain: Vendor Meet Highlights

We conducted disability sensitization workshops to foster inclusivity, improve interactions and create a more welcoming environment for everyone across our sites. We curated a disability etiquette session for the client-facing positions at our sites to increase their understanding of interacting with PWDs. The key topics covered in the session include sensitization on the importance of disability inclusion and using correct terminology and etiquette while interacting with persons with disabilities. To facilitate enhanced learning, we curated the session in local languages. It also included practical training activities like a demonstration of the use of wheelchairs during emergency escape. The workshop has helped reduce stigma, improve communication and promote a culture of diversity and inclusion within our organization.

In 2021-22, we celebrated a greener and merrier Christmas through Trees of Hope initiative. Christmas trees made from recycled wood and discarded flex were installed at five of our campuses. After the exhibition, the material used to make the trees were repurposed into utility products for the underprivileged. We encouraged our visitors to post a picture with the trees on social media and pledged to plant a tree for every picture.

As an effort towards climate action, we have partnered with the SankalpTaru Foundation to launch a tree plantation drive that aims to create a positive environmental impact. This initiative is aimed at addressing climate change in both urban and rural areas by enriching biodiversity and fostering sustainable ecosystems through the act of planting trees. As a part of this initiative, we have planted trees in Delhi NCR with an aim to improve urban green spaces and combat pollution. Additionally, our initiative is designed to enhance rainwater absorption and bring about beneficial changes to the local urban climates. Moreover, the project strives to create natural habitats, fodder for livestock and job opportunities in rural areas. The effort further intends to moderate climate conditions and provide a refreshing environment for people who visit the area daily through the benefits of increased greenery. This initiative aims on transforming barren terrain into thriving forests that serve both local communities and wildlife, resulting in the revitalization of community lands.

The global real estate market has expanded notably via Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), with over 1,000 REITs across 40+ countries and a $2 trillion market cap, representing 60% of global real estate value. The first REIT was launched in the US in 1960. In contrast, India’s REIT market is at a nascent stage, having introduced its first REIT only in 2019. With just four listed REITs to date, the Indian REIT sector represents a modest $12 billion in market capitalization, which is a mere 0.3% of the nation’s total stock market capitalization. Despite being at the nascent stage, the Indian REIT market holds substantial growth potential as institutional investments increase and more real estate portfolios are structured into REITs. Brookfield India Real Estate Trust is one of the four founding members of Indian REITs Association (IRA), alongside Embassy REIT, Mindspace Business Parks REIT, and Nexus Select Trust. This alliance signifies our commitment to fostering a robust and transparent REIT ecosystem in India. The IRA is dedicated to nurturing the Indian REIT market by upholding the highest standards of professionalism and governance. Its mission is to safeguard and advance the interests of REITs and their unitholders. We intend to be active participants in the IRA initiatives which not only contributes to the growth of the Indian REIT market but also sets a benchmark for best practices within the industry. It also reflects how collaborative efforts can lead to a more sustainable and responsible real estate sector.

We organized the ‘Ideathon’ which garnered over 240 entries as part of our innovation outreach. Ideas ranged from different design considerations to technology integration. The ideas received were evaluated on the basis of ease of implementation, uniqueness, criticality of the problem addressed, proof-of-concept, scalability, impact and competitive edge.

To combat outdoor air pollution from industrial and automotive sources, we have implemented advanced Retrofit Emission Control Devices (RECD), such as Diesel Oxidation Catalysts (DOC) and Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF). These technologies effectively capture and neutralize harmful emissions like nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide and particulate matter, thereby significantly enhancing air quality and ensuring compliance with stringent environmental regulations. These RECD devices require minimal maintenance, with no need for consumables with low initial and operational expenses. Their compact design and compatibility with all Diesel Generator (DG) Sets further underscore their efficiency and practicality.

In the face of today’s environmental challenges, Internal Carbon Pricing (ICP) stands as a pivotal mechanism to embed the true cost of carbon emissions into corporate decision-making. At Brookfield India REIT, as we strive to meet our Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) commitments, we have begun crafting a decarbonization roadmap, starting with an in-depth analysis of a principal asset. This marks the beginning of a comprehensive strategy to expand our efforts across the full spectrum of our portfolio. Based on the decarbonization interventions identified, we have derived an Internal Carbon Pricing (ICP) that reflects the abatement costs and emissions reductions pertinent to Scope 1 and Scope 2 activities until the near-term target year 2030. This focused metric serves as an initial step towards quantifying the financial impact of our carbon emissions and integrating this consideration into our broader environmental strategy. The ICP is already proving to be a transformative element within our company, reshaping the way our business functions perceive and address emissions. By equating emissions reduction to monetary value, we are creating a universal language that resonates across all departments, encouraging a collective move towards environmentally conscious operations. As we progress with the decarbonization roadmaps for our remaining assets, ICP will be refined to fully encapsulate our environmental impact. In the future, our intention is to leverage the refined ICP to inform our investment decisions in low-carbon technologies and to assess potential future carbon tax implications.

With the aim of enhancing air quality and benefiting employee health across all our assets, we are actively monitoring Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in all our lobbies and displaying the data to improve awareness among our occupants and visitors. IAQ monitors have been installed in air handling units throughout our Candor TechSpace campus in Gurugram to facilitate continuous real-time monitoring of health and well-being indicators. Key features of this initiative - Awareness among occupiers, visitors and staff - Prevention of Sick Building Syndrome - Swift detection of harmful chemicals - Ensuring adequate ventilation - Implementation of effective strategies to enhance air quality

Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) are vital to our workplace, forming a cornerstone of our culture. This commitment reflects our core values of equality, inclusivity, and providing equal opportunities for all. As part of our commitment to creating gainful employment opportunities for persons with disabilities (PWDs), we hired three candidates for full-time positions in Gurugram and offered three summer internships to students from IIM Bangalore for our Mumbai office.

We understand the urgency to focus on water conservation, especially in vulnerable regions like Gurugram. To contribute towards environmental rejuvenation of water bodies, we collaborated with Abhipsa Foundation with an intent of restoring natural habitats, recharging groundwater, and supporting overall community well-being. We undertook a project of pond revival in the Border Security Force (BSF) campus in Bhondsi, Gurugram. The pond was suffering from sewage logging, which led to mosquito-borne diseases and negatively impacted the water supply for the soldiers. To cater to this problem, we followed a multi-step approach of pond rejuvenation including pond development, laying of Geo-Coir on pond slope, installation of wastewater treatment plant, plantation of wetland near the pond, rainwater channelization to the pond, gravel bed set-up for wetland plantation, and so on. Through our intervention, we were successfully able to transform a polluted pond into a thriving ecosystem. This initiative supported Abhipsa Foundation’s GuruJal initiative, which aims to rejuvenate and rehabilitate ponds to enhance groundwater levels. Our employee volunteers at Brookfield India REIT also actively participated in the initiative through their efforts of painting pathways and planting saplings which demonstrates their commitment to corporate social responsibility.

In another collaboration with Udayan, we are working towards children and youth welfare. Under Udayan Ghar Programme, we provide small family-like homes for vulnerable children who need parental care. These homes offer a supportive and nurturing environment for children who may not have a safe family structure. We support the children by providing them safe home environments, nutritional support, and comprehensive educational opportunities. Under Udayan Ghar Aftercare Programme, financial assistance, counseling, vocational training, and life skills training are provided to young adults who turn 18 and need continued support after leaving Udayan Ghars. These interventions help them transition to independent living successfully.

The installation of digital water meters represents our effort to leverage advanced technologies in achieving resource efficiency. By integrating state-of-the-art Internet of Things (IoT)-based water meters, we gain real-time insights and actionable data through a centralized dashboard. This technology enables precise monitoring of water usage, specifically time, location and volume, while also remotely detecting leaks promptly. These detailed consumption pattern reports support informed decision-making, ensuring accurate billing based on actual consumption. Digital water metering not only enhances operational efficiency by identifying inefficiencies but also fosters a proactive approach to water conservation, supporting our long-term sustainability objectives.

We are working towards bridging the digital divide in the country since 2017 through our association with People for Action NGO. We have taken numerous efforts to strengthen the partner schools’ ability to impart computer literacy by setting up computer labs in five Government schools with 100 computers set up in these schools. Our computer labs enable schools to empower students and teachers with computer literacy program in alignment with the state board curriculum. This initiative aims to make the students technologically adept. The success of our intervention is reflected with the interest students show in our learning programs. 154 students have also opted for IT as a subject in higher classes, depicting their calibre and interest in technology education. We also conduct training workshops for the teachers to enhance their knowledge base. To engage students in extracurricular activities, we also organize various events for them, such as graphic design workshops, art competitions, IT Melas, and so on.

Brookfield India REIT encourages well-being, community spirit, and collaboration among the occupiers through our unique occupier engagement initiatives. One of our most exciting initiatives includes Futsal Premier League which we organized in June 2023 at our vibrant Gurugram Candor TechSpace, sector-21 and Candor TechSpace campuses. We organized a five day inter-occupier Futsal tournament to promote work-life balance, well-being, athleticism, competitive spirit, and community engagement among our occupiers. The tournament also marked the launch of a state-of-the-art multi-sports arena designed specifically for Futsal and box cricket, enhancing the campus’ recreational facilities. The event allowed occupiers from different organizations to interact and build relationships, fostering engagement and camaraderie.

In a world where digital presence is a necessity, Brookfield India REIT is the first REIT in India to ensure that its online platform is accessible to all. With an estimated 16 percent of the global population living with some form of disability, there was a pressing need to address the digital divide. Many websites remain inaccessible to individuals with disabilities, creating barriers to information, services, and opportunities. Brookfield India REIT identified the necessity to incorporate inclusive design into its digital strategy to reach a wider audience and uphold its ethical commitments. We have collaborated with AccessiBe to successfully integrate accessibility tool on our website. This platform caters to multiple user profiles including neurodivergent persons through detailed accessibility features like Keyboard navigation. The accessibility tool also provides specific features for various needs. Accessible websites offer a plethora of benefits to the real estate industry, including enhanced user experience, improved search engine rankings, and mitigation of legal risks associated with non-compliance with accessibility standards. For more information about Brookfield India REIT and its accessible website, please visit https://www.brookfieldindiareit.in/

Our commitment to uplifting persons with disabilities is reflected through our CSR interventions. We collaborated with Inali Foundation to support the provision of high-quality prosthetic device to economically strained individuals with limited mobility. This intervention is aimed at enhancing their mobility through prosthetic device, foster independence in them, and improve their overall quality of life. Additionally, we also conducted public awareness campaigns to reduce stigma, educate communities, and advocate for inclusivity in respect to persons with limited mobility.

Brookfield India REIT recently organized our firstever ‘Regional Supply Chain Meet’ for vendors in Delhi NCR, specifically inviting our top 50 business partners with significant spend. The purpose of the vendor meet was to strengthen our partnerships with key suppliers to collaborate effectively for ESG practices integration. During the meet, the importance of incorporating carbon and other emissions considerations into daily business operations was emphasized to promote strategies that can minimize environmental footprint. We also focused on localization of supply chains, encouraging regional manufacturing and reducing dependency on global supply chains. We also promoted digital transformation among our suppliers, aiming to eliminate paper transactions and enhance efficiency through robust digital collaborations. We plan to organize such vendor meets frequently in the future as well to align our supplier operations with Brookfield India REIT’s sustainability goals.

We have set up two baby care rooms at our Candor TechSpace Sector 21, Gurugram and Sector 135, Noida campus to offer a private and comfortable space for nursing mothers or caregivers. The amenity is provided to our employees and occupiers as having a baby care room promotes a family-friendly environment, supports work-life balance, and helps employees return to work with peace of mind knowing they have a dedicated space available to care for their baby, as required. To ensure the optimal use of the facility, we have developed a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) keeping in mind the needs of the baby care room. The facility is fully equipped with diaper changing, nursing and feeding facilities in addition to providing a comfortable space for toddlers to play around.

At Brookfield India REIT, we are committed to extending our wellness initiatives to the larger community. We organized blood donation camps for our employees and occupiers throughout the year at various locations. Notable events included the Blood Donation Drive on World Red Cross Day, a blood donation camp at Kensington in collaboration with Customs, which engaged occupiers and employees across our properties. With enthusiastic volunteer support, we received over 500 participants. These camps not only facilitated blood donations but also raised awareness about the importance of this lifesaving act, encouraging widespread participation. These efforts are a key part of our broader occupier engagement strategy, promoting health, well-being, and social responsibility within the Brookfield India REIT community.

Our CSR initiatives of caregiving cover underserved beneficiaries from all age groups, elderly, children, and youth. In collaboration with the Earth Saviours Foundation (ESF), we are working towards elderly welfare to provide support to destitute individuals by ensuring they receive the necessary support to sustain and recover from health issues. This program emphasizes the provision of nutritious meals and essential sanitation items, aiming to improve the overall quality of life for these vulnerable members of society. We have opened care centers for elderly support in collaboration with ESF. Our volunteers also visit the NGO to foster heartfelt conversations with the elderly, providing them with an environment of mental and emotional well-being.

Brookfield India REIT has created a comprehensive Learning & Development (L&D) plan to cover the complete life cycle of an employee aimed at their personal development and enhancement of the customer experience. We have initiated a ‘One Brookfield India REIT Culture’ that holistically covers five senses in addition to workplace well-being in line with People, Product and Process verticals. This L&D program is in line with IMS certification. Further, this L&D plan includes sessions on excellence in customer service training, workplace skill enhancement training like email etiquette, basics of Microsoft Excel, safety training, etc. and personality development training like empathy and communication. Additionally, we conduct sessions to promote the team’s mental well-being through mindfulness and meditation, ensuring we cover maximum aspects of the five senses through our learnings.

Brookfield India REIT took an innovative approach to celebrate Earth Day 2023, with the theme “Invest in our Planet,” by launching the Ploggers’ Drive across our campuses in India. This initiative was a creative blend of fitness and environmental consciousness. The Ploggers’ Drive tapped into the emerging trend of ‘plogging,’ where individuals pick up litter while jogging, thereby cleaning the planet while enhancing their own health. The campaign unfolded across campuses, with over 650 participants joining the movement including our employees and occupiers who covered 6.15 kilometers distance to pick up and dispose of litter, particularly plastic waste. The campaign led to a remarkable collection of over 450 kg of waste. This not only led to cleaner streets and campuses but also demonstrated the significant impact of community-driven environmental initiatives. The initiative’s success was further amplified by engaging social influencers and organizing captivating activities that encouraged participants to adopt more sustainable behaviors. This ignited a behaviors change, inspiring participants to continue their eco-friendly habits beyond the event.