Sustainability and governance are becoming decisive factors in commercial real estate market decisions

ESG criteria gain momentum and influence asset value, operational performance, and corporate tenant demand

Ana Durigon, ESG Manager at Brookfield Properties

By: SiiLA News

12/24/2025

Created in 2004, ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) practices emerged to incorporate environmental, social, and governance factors into market analyses, based on the premise that companies with sustainable business models tend to perform better in the long term. Although this relationship is already well established across several sectors, in the commercial real estate market there is still a perception that ESG is merely “social window dressing,” with no meaningful financial impact.

To discuss this stigma, REsource interviewed Ana Durigon, ESG Manager at Brookfield Properties, and sought to understand how a company that treats ESG as part of its core turns sustainability into economic value, operational efficiency, and portfolio resilience.

According to Durigon, the company’s environmental commitment is structured, measurable, and integrated into its global strategy. “We have a global commitment to achieve Net Zero by 2050 (…) We continuously invest in energy and water efficiency to reduce consumption and emissions across our assets, such as migrating all developments to the free energy market with 100% renewable supply, as well as harvesting and reusing rainwater.”

Performance and financial return

When addressing the most sensitive point for investors and CFOs, the executive highlights that financial results support the ESG strategy. “We see superior performance in certified buildings compared to non-certified ones. Certifications such as LEED, Fitwel, and LEED Zero Carbon reflect construction quality, operational efficiency, and a commitment to sustainability, which translates into higher value appreciation, lower vacancy, and stronger absorption.”

This logic, according to Durigon, is directly linked to corporate governance. “ESG governance is a central pillar of our operation and is led by a Sustainability Council made up of Brookfield’s senior leadership, ensuring that sustainability is integrated into day-to-day decisions.”

Operational efficiency and certifications

Photo: Miss Silvia Morizono, an A+ property located on Avenida Faria Lima, in São Paulo

One example of this strategy is the Miss Silvia Morizono building, in São Paulo, which earned the LEED Gold O+M (Operations and Maintenance) certification. The recognition reinforces efficiency in the asset’s operation and maintenance, with smart monitoring systems that optimize energy consumption, air conditioning, lighting, and other building systems. The development has maintained a 100% occupancy rate since late 2022, according to data from SiiLA’s Market Analytics platform.

Well-being and social impact

The focus on ESG is also reflected in users’ well-being and in relationships with surrounding communities. “Well-being and quality of life are at the heart of the design and operation of our developments. We pursue certifications such as LEED, WELL, and Fitwel, and today we total 17 WELL and Fitwel certifications,” comments Ana Cláudia.

In 2024, Brookfield launched the project Entrepreneurship That Transforms at Parque da Cidade, an initiative focused on supporting local micro-entrepreneurs. Since 2023, the company’s social actions have already impacted more than 30,000 people, with over 1,600 volunteer hours and more than 100 ESG initiatives carried out.

REsource | Special video report about Parque da Cidade

video report about Parque da Cidade

Parque da Cidade was also the subject of a special video report by REsource. The content features interviews with Hilton Rejman, President of Brookfield Properties, and executives from tenant companies, including Andrea Braune (Dow), Fernanda Miranda (Accenture), and Rodrigo Azevedo (Verisure).

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