The goal of this annual report is to inform our stakeholders regarding the financial and non-financial developments at our company in the 2023 calendar year. We also use this report to update our stakeholders on the progress we have made in our performance with respect to a number of material aspects, the boundaries and scope of which we have determined in consultation with our stakeholders. You will find a description of the process of determining materiality and a full list of material aspects in the section on the determination of materiality.

Scope of this report

Bouwinvest based the determination of the content and parameters of this report on the wishes of our stakeholders via the materiality analysis. In this matrix, we have set the degree of importance of aspects against the interest that our external stakeholders attach to said aspects. The annual report and the financial statements pertain to Bouwinvest Real Estate Investors B.V., its six funds (Residential, Office, Retail, Healthcare, Hotel and Impact) and the three international mandates (Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific). Unless otherwise stated, the scope of the report extends to all of Bouwinvest’s activities. This means it does not include the activities of sub-contractors, unless otherwise stated.
The annual report is drawn up annually, based on a reporting period of one calendar year. The previous report dated March 28, 2023 pertained to the calendar year 2022. The 2022 annual report was prepared and published on March 28, 2023. The 2023 annual report pertains to the calendar year 2023, which ran from 1 January 2023 through 31 December 2023.

Reporting policy and guidelines

Bouwinvest strives to improve its reporting each year, in line with the nature, risks and opportunities of the organisation. Bouwinvest reports with reference to the GRI Standards of the guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). GRI Standards are the global standard on the reporting guidelines front. GRI is based on the principle of materiality and requires organisations to report their management approach to their most material aspects. Reporting in line with GRI adds focus on material aspects to our annual report and allows us to report solely on aspects that are important to internal and external stakeholders. You will find general information on GRI at: www.globalreporting.org.

Data collection and verification of non-financial data

Data collection

We present our non-financial KPIs in this report. The non-financial data are collected in the first quarter of the subsequent year. Whenever possible, we collect data centrally, while some data are collected locally. Once we have collected the data, we consolidate the data and subject it to a trend analysis. If there are any significant deviations in trends, we add context and verify with the relevant data provider. The data in this report have been quantified. In the absence of data, we have made estimates. We did not identify any uncertainties or inherent limitations in the data as a result of measurements, estimates or calculations.

Reporting environmental data

Bouwinvest reports environmental data of those assets where management control is possible (via the operational control approach). Data is provided for those assets where we have the power to introduce and implement operating policies and where we are responsible for purchasing energy and water and the processing of waste. Our management control differs greatly by type of real estate (e.g. residential or office real estate). These differences affect the level of influence we have over the (measurable) sustainability performance of our real estate assets.
Absolute use is the total use of the real estate assets in our funds during the period under review and provides insight into the overall environmental impact.

Like-for-like data and any changes pertain to real estate assets in our portfolio that were fully owned by Bouwinvest and operational for the full 24-month period. We have excluded assets that were acquired, sold or underwent large-scale renovations in this period. This data therefore provides insight into the movement of an indicator over time at a constant portfolio scope. Total net CO₂ emissions, after compensation, represent the total CO emissions after reduction and compensation of carbon emissions via Guarantees of Origin (Garanties van Oorsprong - GVO). This is in line with Bouwinvest’s commitment to reduce the impact its operations have on climate change and to promote sustainable energy generation.

Energy, emission and water intensity are reported on the basis of like-for-like usage data and lettable floor area (LFA). This pertains to collectively purchased components and usage for shared areas, as well as usage data for tenant areas that are not individually metered.

Changes

Significant changes in definitions and measurement methods compared with previous reporting periods are explained where relevant. The changes we made to our ESG strategy or our targets in 2023 are explained in the relevant sections of this report. The aspects included in this report were selected on the basis of our materiality analysis.

Verification

For the year 2023, we had the various non-financial KPIs verified by an external auditor. The CFRO was involved in the commissioning of this verification. We see this as a step towards integrated reporting according to GRI Standards. You will find an online GRI content index at: https://www.bouwinvest-annualreports2023.com.

Feedback

For additional information on this report, please feel free to contact our Client Management department via clientmanagement@bouwinvest.nl or Marleen Bosma, Chief Client Officer: +31 (0)20 677 1600. Bouwinvest appreciates any feedback on its annual report.