VIA Outlets’ overall score of 98/100 outperforms the Peer Group average of 77 as well as the GRESB average of 79. Across ten of the 14 assessment categories, including Risk Management Reporting, Tenant & Community, and Building Certifications, VIA Outlets secured the full 100 points. Across the remaining performance categories VIA Outlets scores well above the Peer Group average.
Geert Paemen, VIA Outlets’ Head of ESG, said: “VIA Outlets’ achievement in reaching the top place in the GRESB Sustainability Benchmark in the European Retail category is the result of a long-term strategy aimed at gradually mitigating any negative impacts our business activity may generate, as well as enhancing any opportunities both on environmental as well as social topics. We want to thank our teams, brand partners, and suppliers for their support in contributing to achieving our ambitious sustainability targets. It is through innovation, collaboration, and hard work that we have managed to further reduce our energy intensity footprint, mainly by implementing on-site renewable energy generation on all but one of our centres, and launch new initiatives linked to our social impact as well as promoting a diverse work environment.”
Otto Ambagtsheer, CEO of VIA Outlets, added: “Achieving this outstanding GRESB sustainability result stems from years of planning and action across all our departments. Our brand partners and suppliers share our goals and targets, and over the years we have collectively taken positive sustainable actions to position VIA Outlets as the market leader in sustainable outlet shopping. There are no shortcuts to success, and we will remain committed to our ‘Beyond Sustainable’ strategy – which is based on the four pillars of Sustainable Buildings, Resilient Communities, Responsible Consumption and Engaged Stakeholders – to reach our Net Zero-aligned energy efficiency and emissions targets, and social and governance objectives.”
