Material topics

Through stakeholder engagement and a shared ambition, we've identified where we should focus our environmental, social, economic and governance efforts.

In 2021, we undertook a comprehensive materiality process to identify material topics to underpin the development of our sustainability framework and inform our sustainability disclosures. During 2023 we reviewed our material topics against global megatrends, emerging ESG issues, thought leadership and peer reporting in the real estate and construction sectors.

Our material topics remain relevant and are consistent with global megatrends relevant to our business including impacts of a changing climate, diminishing natural resources, cyber security and AI, and changing demographics and work patterns.

Our material topics are outlined below.

Environmental

Biodiversity

In its operations and developments, Charter Hall must remain mindful of, and accountable for, the quality, resilience and quantity of ecosystem assets and the provision 
of their services on which we rely. Understanding this enables Charter Hall to protect, restore and where possible, create opportunities to reduce harm and improve 

natural environments. 

Relevant global megatrend

- Diminishing natural resources, increasing energy demands and biodiversity loss


Climate change adaptation

Building resilience for our business, properties and communities, against the physical impacts of climate change and preparing for changing regulations and markets in a low carbon economy.

Relevant global megatrend

- Impacts of a changing climate

Energy efficiency and renewables

Increasing energy efficiency and use of renewable energy across our operations and developments.

Relevant global megatrend

- Diminishing natural resources, increasing energy demands and biodiversity loss

Social

Community and social inclusion

Supporting and contributing to the strength of local communities where we operate. This includes the promotion of social inclusion through employment for vulnerable young Australians.

Relevant global megatrends

– Impacts of a changing climate

– Post-pandemic health, work patterns and changing demographics

– Supply chain dynamics, the rise of ESG standards, ethics and social inequities

Customer engagement and satisfaction

Meeting the business needs of our tenant and investor customers, resulting in a sense of belonging and satisfaction in our assets.

Relevant global megatrends

– Geopolitics, global shifts and a multi-nodal society

– Digitisation, data regulation, cyber security and AI

Employee engagement and satisfaction

Creating a culture and environment which enables our employees to give their best and maintain a positive attitude towards the organisation.

Relevant global megatrend

– Post-pandemic health, work patterns and changing demographics

Health, safety and wellbeing

Ensuring the highest standards for health and safety across our operations, developments and for employees (including contractors), customers and tenants, as well as the wider public that use our spaces. Creating spaces and programmes that support the physical and mental wellbeing of our customers, tenants and employees.

Relevant global megatrend

– Post-pandemic health, work patterns and changing demographics

Sustainability framework - social
Sustainability framework - Governance

Governance

Innovation and technology

Investing in and adopting new technology and innovations in our assets and in partnership with our customers.

Relevant global megatrends

– Geopolitics, global shifts and a multi-nodal society

– Digitisation, data regulation, cyber security and AI

– Supply chain dynamics, the rise of ESG standards, ethics and social inequities

Business ethics and compliance

Conducting our business activities in line with the highest ethical standards, as well as complying with all relevant regulations.

Relevant global megatrends

– Geopolitics, global shifts and a multi-nodal society

– Digitisation, data regulation, cyber security and AI

– Supply chain dynamics, the rise of ESG standards, ethics and social inequities

Responsible investment

Integrating ESG considerations into investment decisions (due diligence, property management and day-to-day operations) and ongoing engagements in order to ensure sustainable growth and returns.

Relevant global megatrends

– Geopolitics, global shifts and a multi-nodal society

– Digitisation, data regulation, cyber security and AI

– Supply chain dynamics, the rise of ESG standards, ethics and social inequities

Responsible and sustainable supply chain

Facilitating procurement practices and supply chain management in a responsible and sustainable way, managing issues such as human rights, modern slavery and environmental impacts.

Relevant global megatrends

– Geopolitics, global shifts and a multi-nodal society

– Digitisation, data regulation, cyber security and AI

– Supply chain dynamics, the rise of ESG standards, ethics and social inequities

economic-main

Economic

Sustainable growth and returns

Ensuring a fair return to our providers of capital over the long term, through the responsible and sustainable management of our business. 

Relevant global megatrend

– Supply chain dynamics, the rise of ESG standards, ethics and social inequities