Frequently Asked ESG Questions

Yes.

Yes, we have an environmental management system certified to ISO 14001.

No.

Yes.

Yes.

D+. Our first submission was made in 2022, and we are awaiting a revised score based on our submission in July 2023. We are registered with CDP under Colliers International.

Colliers monitors, tracks and strategizes to reduce the following environmental indicators: energy usage, carbon emissions, water usage, sustainable design and sourcing, and waste.

Yes, we have set Science-Based Targets in line with the Business Ambition for 1.5C program.

Yes. Our approach to managing environmental impacts is outlined on pages 12-34 of our 2022 Impact Report: Our Impact | Colliers. The environmental topics addressed by our ESG strategy include, but are not limited to: energy efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions, healthy and sustainable buildings/design, water use and management, waste/circularity, land use/biodiversity impacts, responsible supply chains, and sustainability products/services.

Colliers manages our offices’ water use reduction efforts through our Green Lease Checklist and fit-out practices. When relocating or renewing leases, primary consideration is given to buildings and property owners that demonstrate sustainable performance and partnership (which is evaluated primarily through properties’ performance data and certifications). We have implemented our own Green Lease Checklist, enacted upon renewals, requiring low-flow fixtures using roughly 60% less water than traditional models.

Based on our 2021 materiality assessment, water is not one of Colliers’ material ESG topics. As such, we have not conducted a water risk assessment.

Colliers manages our offices’ material consumption and waste reduction and diversion efforts through our Green Lease Checklist and fit-out practices. When relocating or renewing leases, primary consideration is given to buildings and property owners that demonstrate sustainable performance and partnership (which is evaluated primarily through properties’ performance data and certifications). We have implemented our own Green Lease Checklist, enacted upon renewals, which, among other things, requires a minimum of 50% pre-consumer and post-consumer total recycled content where applicable. We further enhance our spaces with appropriate fit-outs. Most of our furniture, fixtures, and equipment contain at least 50% recycled materials, and are chosen for durability and modularity.

We conducted a materiality assessment in 2021 to identify Colliers’ material ESG topics and deforestation is not one of these topics. Colliers’ business activities do not have a material impact on deforestation.

Many of our energy and sustainability services are provided as a core element of our property management and occupier services. As a result, it is not always possible to delineate revenue specifically associated with these services. As well, many of our professionals provide a combination of sustainability-related and other services, which are not delineated. Colliers is developing methods to aggregate sustainability services revenues in its financial reporting system, including new solutions and service lines launched in line with our Elevate the Built Environment strategy.

Our emissions for the 2022 calendar year were as follows: 11,372 MT CO2e for Scope 1 and 10,839 MT CO2e for Scope 2.

Colliers’ emissions intensity in 2022 was 7.19 kilograms per square foot.

Colliers’ Scope 3 emissions have been quantified in the course of determining proposed Science-Based Targets but have not yet been reported publicly.

For more information, please see pages 14 and 66-67 of our 2022 Impact Report: Our Impact | Colliers.

Colliers understands that tackling climate change requires agility and action across all levels of our organisation and value chain. In 2022, Colliers’ emissions reductions targets were approved by the Science-Based Targets Initiative in line with the Business Ambition for 1.5C program. We aim to achieve net zero for our own operations by 2030.

Within our operations, Colliers has started to electrify our fleet, and we are developing a strategy regarding which vehicles can be electrified at end-of-life or lease expiry. We will also seek greater renewable energy sources moving forward through retail contracts, green leases and power purchase agreements. Additionally, when relocating or renewing leases, primary consideration is given to buildings and property owners that demonstrate sustainable performance, including energy efficiency. Specifically, our Green Lease Checklist helps Colliers determine offices to lease that are energy efficient and low/zero carbon.

Colliers is also working with our clients to help them decarbonize their portfolios. We offer a range of decarbonization advisory services to our clients, the results of which help drive down Colliers’ Scope 3 emissions. Our internal Net Zero Innovation Working Group is designing solutions for our clients to ensure we meet our net zero carbon targets.

Total energy consumed in Colliers-occupied offices (owned operations only; affiliates not included) for 2022 was 317,238 GJ. Looking specifically at Colliers’ offices, the energy disclosed in 302-1 (natural gas and electricity) was consumed within occupied space of 3.09 million square feet. This yields an energy intensity of 0.103 GJ/square foot. Natural gas was utilized primarily for space and water heating. For more information, please see page 66 of our 2022 Impact Report: Our Impact | Colliers.

When relocating or renewing leases, primary consideration is given to buildings and property owners that demonstrate sustainable performance, including energy efficiency. Specifically, our Green Lease Checklists help Colliers determine offices to lease that are energy efficient and low/zero carbon.

Regional leaders are empowered to drive energy efficiency programs that are tailored to their particular context. For example, our Australia team partnered with the New South Wales government’s funding initiative to commission National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) ratings and improvement reports for six of our Australian offices. The team is now implementing energy efficiency improvements such as installing occupancy sensors, switching to LED lights, maintaining HVAC temperature setpoints within a certain range, and reviewing energy saving settings on all office equipment.

We are seeking greater renewable energy sources moving forward, through retail contracts, green leases and power purchase agreements. With nearly 50% of our Scope 1 and 2 emissions accounted for by electricity, and a Science-Based Target of 67% reductions in such emissions by 2030, the vast majority of our electricity consumption must become renewable.

Yes. Our Science-Based Targets were approved in June 2023, and we aim to achieve net zero by 2030. We are registered with the Science-Based Targets Initiative as Colliers International.

No. While Colliers is part of the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) Business for 1.5C program, we have not yet articulated our net zero Scope 3 emissions goal. That said, in line with SBTi, our targeted 2030 Scope 3 emissions are 52% below 2021 levels; as such, Colliers is on track to achieve net zero for Scope 3 emissions by 2040.

Yes. Our most recent TCFD response can be found on pages 74-79 of our 2022 Impact Report: Our Impact | Colliers.

Within the ongoing Enterprise Risk Management process, led by our Senior Director, Enterprise Risk Management, Colliers weighs climate-related risks against others faced by the organization, in terms of likelihood and impact; assigns ownership; and determines response, mitigations and controls, as required. Climate-specific considerations are fed into the process by the Global Lead, ESG & Impact, who synthesizes information from scientific, regulatory and industry sources to continually update our assessment of related opportunities and risks.

Responsibility for raising climate-related opportunities and risks within the Global Executive team (GET) rests with the Chief Brand & People Officer, who directly manages the Global Lead, ESG & Impact.

Climate risk falls within the category of ESG Risk, which is a material risk in Colliers’ Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Risk Register. To manage this risk, the role of Global Lead, ESG & Impact was created, to oversee the development and execution of a corporate ESG strategy.

In the development of this strategy, climate issues were identified as a material ESG topic, and the resulting goals include the achievement of net zero emissions by 2030, and adherence to Science-Based Targets for emissions reductions, including Scope 3 emissions at managed client properties. The monitoring of ongoing progress against these goals constitutes the core of our process for managing climate-related risks – reputational and financial.

Some of Colliers’ 2022 global climate and environmental management highlights include:

• Reduced Scope 1 and 2 emissions per sq ft by 10.1% vs. 2021;
• 1,300+ sustainable building certifications and energy ratings achieved for clients;
• 215 million sq ft of green-certified properties under management;
• 100+ million sq ft of green-certified construction managed;
• 1+ million MWh of solar energy generated by assets in Investment Management; and
• 85 green certifications held by Colliers professionals.

Yes, Colliers has a Global Code of Ethics and Conduct, found here. Each year, all Colliers staff must acknowledge and accept the elements of this code, which provides the foundation for how we conduct business in a manner consistent with our values.

As of December 31st, 2022, 61.0% of total employees identified as male and 39.0% as female.

Due to regulatory limitations in many of our regions in asking about ethnicity and other dimensions of diversity, and relatively low rates of self-identification in other regions where such questions are permitted, we do not have a significant data set on attributes other than gender.

As of December 31st, 2022, 68.9% of management staff are male and 31.1% are female.

Our human resource systems do not yet support the classification of senior leadership by gender.

Among our Board of Directors, 30% (3 of 10) are female and 20% (2 of 10) are members of a visible minority group.

Colliers’ Global Diversity and Inclusion Statement can be found here: Colliers Global Diversity and Inclusion Statement | Colliers. More information about diversity, equity and inclusion practices at Colliers can be found here: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion | Colliers.

At Colliers, we build and nurture inclusive environments where our professionals from diverse backgrounds thrive and feel valued. It is our mission to foster a culture where all employees can succeed, supported by rewards and recognition and specialized learning programs that propel their career growth.

Additionally, Colliers promotes and increases opportunities for enterprises and small businesses owned by women, minorities, Indigenous peoples, veterans, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBT+ community.

Our diversity and inclusion targets are as follows:

• Achieve 40% female share of total employees globally by 2025 and manager and above roles by 2030.
• Baseline our purchasing from diverse suppliers. Set an ambitious goal for 2025.

No.

Unconscious bias training is required for all new hires in North America and EMEA, and all employees in APAC.

Yes. Colliers has mentorship programs throughout our regions that cater specifically to the needs of those regions. For example:

• APAC: A majority-women “Young Leaders Committee” in Singapore is dedicated to building an inclusive environment, a collaborative culture, and platforms to support career growth for future leaders.
• EMEA: An EMEA mentoring program matches senior female mentors with female mentees across the region to support career progression. Our UK business has partnered with Mentoring Circle, who help provide tailored mentoring support to address the gender gap at the senior leadership level across the real estate industry.

Yes. The organizations we work with vary by region. For a full description, please see page 41 of our 2022 Impact Report: Our Impact | Colliers.

Colliers has various programs aimed at developing women within our organization, and partnerships with organizations such as Catalyst, CREW, BlackNorth and LinkedIn Learning to provide resources. ESG Steering Committees in each of our operating regions have accountability for driving progress on our goal of women in management. In North America, we have also formed an Executive Diversity Council, including our US and Canadian CEOs, and appointed a Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

The organizations we work with vary by region. For a full description, please see page 41 of our 2022 Impact Report: Our Impact | Colliers.

There have been 11 harassment (general or sexual) or discrimination complaints made into Colliers whistleblower hotline over the last five years. All complaints were investigated and closed by management. Some of the complaints could not be substantiated. Some of the complaints were found to have merit and disciplinary action was taken. Due to the confidential nature of all complaints, no further detail can be provided.

Minorities

We have moved away from using the term “minorities,” and have begun to use the phrase "historically marginalized,” which refers to groups of people who have faced systematic disadvantages, discrimination, or exclusion over a significant period of time in society due to factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, disability, or other characteristics.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

When we use the term Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, we are describing our commitment to establishing an all-encompassing atmosphere that warmly embraces individuals from diverse backgrounds, offering them the chance to discover opportunities, flourish, and make strides in their careers.

Yes. In 2022, we launched a Supplier Diversity Council in North America to develop supplier diversity initiatives that our clients, professionals, and communities can be proud of, and support the goals of our clients, whose spend we manage within our Property Management and Occupier Services business lines. The Council worked to develop a supplier diversity statement that enshrines Colliers’ commitment to a fully inclusive procurement process, as well as quantify our current spend with diverse businesses. The Council is in the process of finalizing our short-, medium- and long-term goals and putting in place the parameters within our Contract Management System to collect and manage the data required to assess our performance.

One year.

Our supplier diversity program strategy is to promote and increase opportunities for enterprises and small businesses owned by women, minorities, Indigenous peoples, veterans, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBT+ community.

Yes. We are members of the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council, and Woman Business Enterprises (WBE) Canada.

Yes. Colliers works with over 1,080 diverse suppliers across a wide array of functions, including construction, architectural and engineering, security, janitorial, marketing and IT services.

9.4% in 2022

Our North American Supplier Diversity Council is in the process of finalizing our short-, medium- and long-term goals.

Sean Drygas, Global Lead, Impact & ESG
Sean.drygas@colliers.com

No.

For most of our business lines, with employees based in offices, a formal occupational health and safety (OH&S) Management System is not required. However, for parts of our business (such as Property Management) where health and safety concerns are material, systems have been put in place, and all employees within those divisions are covered by the system. There are also individual countries, such as Australia and New Zealand, where the scope includes all employees. In China, for Property Management, the system has been certified to the ISO 45001 standard.

OH&S systems are based on a combination of statutory requirements, advice and guidelines from industry bodies, and team member recommendations and needs. Systems are typically under the purview of dedicated safety managers, with policies reviewed by Joint Health and Safety Committees, and signed off by senior management.

For more information, please see pages 67-69 of our 2022 Impact Report: Our Impact | Colliers.

Yes. Training is provided commensurate with the requirements of each role, with the most comprehensive training focused on our property management operations and Engineering & Design business. Training is delivered both internally (by line managers and People Services) and via external partners. Content is consistent with local regulatory requirements (e.g., the Occupational Safety and Health Administration), and in some cases, is delivered in part by regulators. New hires are required to complete initial training, and ongoing training is also provided at frequencies ranging from one to three years for most elements.

All staff are paid for their time completing training, either online or in-person. Effectiveness is evaluated through occupational health and safety statistics, and through surveys of employees during and at the conclusion of employment. Training needs are reassessed annually.

Depending on the jurisdiction, there is a combination of dedicated Health and Safety meetings, as frequently as weekly, and inclusion of health and safety on the standing agenda of team and senior leadership meetings. Where applicable, minutes of each joint health and safety committee (JHSC) meeting are published to the intranet for review by all staff.

Within Engineering & Design, DSCs (Discipline Safety Coordinators) and OSCs (Office Safety Coordinators) meet with the Safety Advocate Committee (SAC). There is a DSC for every discipline that performs field work which provides information and assistance to the SAC for continuing evaluation of the health and safety program.

In Engineering & Design, all suppliers are required to follow Colliers' Health and Safety Plan, and site inspections are performed by managers. Our Australian operation has employed a Visitor Management System in every office, requiring agreement on safety obligations from suppliers and clients before they enter. In China, we maintain records of contractors' safety training and ensure that every worker has received health and safety training before entering job sites. Where applicable, vaccine requirements are also enforced.

Colliers tracks a number of indicators in order to monitor the performance of our health and safety (H&S) program. These indicators include:

• Total hours worked;
• Percentage of workers covered by an occupational H&S management system;
• Number of work-related injuries (including fatalities; high consequence, work-related injuries; recordable work-related injuries; and slips, trips and falls);
• Number of incidents of work-related ill health; and
• Total H&S training hours.

Yes. Colliers recognizes the deep importance of giving back to the communities where we live and work. This responsibility includes contributing our expertise, time, and energy. Through a global initiative launched in 2022 called Colliers Gives, our people can help make a difference on the ground in the communities where we live and work. Teams get together to seek and perform volunteer activities for any cause or organization they choose within our overarching pillars of environment, inclusiveness, and health and wellbeing. The goal annually is for Colliers to contribute 15,000 volunteer days around the world.