WINNIPEG, MB, June 1, 2022
/CNW/ - Artis Real Estate Investment Trust ("Artis" or the "REIT")
(TSX: AX.UN) announced today that it has published its annual
Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG") Report, providing an
update on the REIT's ESG practices, policies and objectives and
highlighting the progress made in 2021.
"It has been just over one year since my appointment to Chief
Executive Officer and the announcement of Artis' new vision and
strategy: to build a best-in-class asset management and investment
platform focused on growing net asset value per unit and
distributions for investors through value investing in real
estate," said Samir Manji, President
and Chief Executive Officer of Artis. "As part of this strategy,
Artis is committed to making ESG a focal point and to
establishing a company-wide ESG-minded culture. We are pleased to
have this opportunity to highlight the progress we have made in all
areas of our ESG program and the goals we have set for ourselves
going forward."
Select highlights from Artis' 2021 ESG Report
include:
- approval of a new compensation framework for executive officers
that outlines objectively measurable performance criteria for the
awarding of short-term and long-term compensation;
- improvement of the claw-back policy and the unit ownership
policy related to executive officers and adoption of a
post-employment ownership guideline related to the Chief Executive
Officer;
- diversification on the Board of Trustees, including 57% female
representation and 29% Black, Indigenous and People of Colour
representation;
- diversification throughout the organization, including 67%
female representation in C-suite positions and 52% female
representation across the company;
- adoption of improved Board Mandate, Committee Charters,
Position Descriptions and various governance policies;
- implementation of an enhanced Code of Business Conduct and
Ethics, Whistleblower Protection Policy and Insider Trading and
Blackout Policy;
- certification achieved or maintained by Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design ("LEED") of 10 properties, by Building
Owners and Managers Association ("BOMA") Building Environmental
Standards ("BEST") of 5 properties and by Energy Star of 19
properties;
- implementation of new software to analyze, report on and reduce
consumption in the portfolio; and
- recognition as one of Canada's
Top Small and Medium Employers and Manitoba's Top Employers for 2021.
Lis Wigmore, Chair of the Governance, Nominating and
Compensation Committee of the Board of Trustees of Artis, added,
"It has been an exciting year of opportunity and growth for Artis'
ESG program. Working alongside our Governance, Nominating and
Compensation Committee and ESG Committee members has been a
privilege. We all share a similar passion for ESG and are motivated
to see Artis' employees, tenants, owners and communities thrive. We
will continue to find creative ways to fulfill our corporate social
responsibility and become an industry leader in all areas of our
ESG program."
A copy of Artis' 2021 ESG Report can be accessed on the REIT's
website at the following link:
www.artisreit.com/about-us/environmental-social-governance/
Artis is a diversified Canadian real estate investment trust
with a portfolio of industrial, office and retail properties in
Canada and the United States. Artis' vision is to build a
best-in-class asset management and investment platform focused on
growing net asset value per unit and distributions for investors
through value investing in real estate.
SOURCE Artis Real Estate Investment Trust