Juan Carlos Castro, Senior Vice President of FIBRA Macquarie, spoke at the México por el Clima forum on integrating sustainability into Mexico's real estate sector. He highlighted how companies can create positive environmental impact without sacrificing profitability. He stressed the need for measurable strategies aligned with ESG criteria.
At the México por el Clima forum, Juan Carlos Castro, Senior Vice President of FIBRA Macquarie, discussed how sustainability in real estate merges environmental impact with financial returns. He noted that to move beyond rhetoric, companies need measurable strategies and clear goals supported by ESG (environmental, social, and governance) criteria.
Macquarie's stabilized properties feature green certifications that optimize energy and water use. New constructions pursue LEED certification, assessing carbon footprints from the building phase and incorporating efficient equipment like solar panels and water treatment plants. This has enabled the firm to achieve a world record in LEED certifications in Monterrey.
Castro addressed an initial challenge: the belief that sustainable investments yield poor financial returns. Yet, properties with solar panels have delivered internal returns exceeding 18%. In Mexico, skilled labor and competitive costs support these efforts, proving sustainability and profitability can align.
The executive highlighted available information and advice for investors via specialized consultants and financing programs, enabling low-risk, high-impact decisions. He urged companies to prioritize continuous improvement, emissions reduction, and progress toward net-zero carbon footprints, including direct and indirect emissions.
“The first step is simply to decide to act with awareness; the technology and resources are available, you just have to take the first step,” Castro stated. Forums like México por el Clima are vital for raising environmental awareness, fostering sector collaboration, and providing quality information to drive positive changes in Mexico's real estate industry and environmental management.