Global integrated property group Goodman, which owns, develops and manages logistics and business space, received special acknowledgement for its building sustainability master plan developed with the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB). DGNB awarded Goodman with 19 silver certifications for its new developments in Germany. With these new certifications, Goodman is approaching a total of one million sqm of green certified assets under management in continental Europe. Goodman is also in pursuit of BREEAM certification for developments in Poland: Amazon in Wroclaw and the Mousquetaires Group in Poznan.
Launched in 2012, the Goodman sustainability master plan instituted a set of pre-agreed guidelines and concepts for pre-certification of new development projects by DGNB. As a result, the plan has reduced the time and cost of the certification process and Goodman is the only logistics property group, active in the German market, to have signed such a plan with DGNB.
“As a long-term owner and investor of logistics properties, sustainability is an important part of our business and is firmly embedded in our corporate strategy,” Dirk Mölter, Goodman Sustainability and Technical Director Continental Europe, explained. “Our master plan simplifies the certification process and increases the quality of our properties.”
Silver certification by DGNB pushes companies to remain ahead of German regulation. Therefore, Goodman is able to provide customers with a Grade-A property that reduces resource consumption and helps customers to achieve their own sustainability goals.
In total, there are now 22 Goodman properties across Germany with silver certification by DGNB. Across continental Europe, green certification has been achieved or is being sought in the Czech Republic, France, the Netherlands and Poland. When Goodman achieves its certification goals, the Group will have over 1.5 million sqm of green assets under management.
“As a leader in the logistics sector, we see it as our responsibility to continually strive toward a more sustainable model of property ownership, development and management. We partner with customers to not only understand and cater to their operational needs, but also embrace their sustainability priorities,” commented Philippe Van der Beken, Managing Director of Goodman for Continental Europe.
“Sustainability is a key business driver for Goodman and its customers. Land availability in prime locations, the cost of natural resources, and environmental and civil stewardship lead Goodman’s approach to smart, customer-centric sustainability. Goodman will continue to pursue innovative solutions for the development and management of our properties that meet the needs of our customers and the communities in which we operate,” Van der Beken concluded.
