Transforming Dublin Responsibly, our Sustainability Statement of Intent for the period to 2030 consists of three principles that we regard as critical to tackling the identified material issues of our stakeholders.
Our ambition to become the most sustainable property company in Ireland and to be net zero carbon and climate resilient by 2030 is underpinned by our vision to Transform Dublin Responsibly and aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
We originally developed this strategy in 2021 following detailed engagement with our key stakeholders and from our deep understanding of the real estate industry. In 2025 we reviewed this strategy to ensure that it remains relevant and that our targets are still ambitious, updating these where required. Our overview was informed by a robust double materiality assessment, carried out by an external consultant which engaged our key stakeholders.
Our pillars
Net Zero Carbon and Climate Resilience
If the property industry is to achieve a meaningful reduction in carbon emissions, commitments which result in tangible actions must be made now. We have done that and are committed to becoming a net zero carbon business by 2030 in line with the growing expectations of our stakeholders.
What we want to achieve
- By 2030 reduce our overall carbon emissions by 30%
- By 2030 reduce our energy use intensity of managed offices to below 100 kWh/m2/yr
- Continue to carry out whole life carbon assessments on all developments and set ambitious targets for upfront embodied carbon for each project
- Engage 50% of operations and property management suppliers annually on Scope 3 related emissions
- Maintain full compliance with climate related reporting and requirements as they continue to emerge
- 85% of assets with BER of B3 or better
- Integrate robust governance to manage climate-related risks and opportunities beyond 2030
Our Net Zero Carbon Pathway is aligned to the Better Buildings Partnership Net Zero Carbon Pathway Framework and World Green Building Council’s Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment.
As part of these commitments, we are required to report on our annual progress and the steps we are taking along our pathway to achieve our net zero carbon ambitions.
Environment, health & wellbeing
We remain committed to clustering our buildings so we can provide better services to our occupants. When designing new developments and refurbishing existing buildings, we will create flexible, inclusive and accessible spaces that benefit the wellbeing of our occupants and of the community.
What we want to achieve
- 100% of managed assets with LEED certification - LEED BD+C and/or LEED O+M
- All new assets certified to WELL standard
- Send zero waste to landfill and achieve 70% recycling across all of our managed assets by 2030
- Achieve 10% reduction in water usage versus 2025 baseline
- Achieve 30% biodiversity net gain across our managed office portfolio through our Nature Strategy Deliver a minimum 10% biodiversity net gain for all new developments
- Understand the embodied ecological impact of all new developments
- Ticknock site nature restoration plan progressing
Create long term positive social impact through our operations
Hibernia, as a landlord and a developer have an obligation to ensure we create positive social change. We are putting in place the mechanisms that allow us to make a greater contribution to society through our new developments and ongoing as we manage these assets in partnership with our occupiers and suppliers.
What we want to achieve
- Implement our Social Impact Framework to deliver measurable social value across our portfolio
- Manage our employees in an inclusive and fair manner that promotes development, collaboration, creativity and diversity
- Three partnerships in place with charity organisations and community groups on an ongoing basis
- All suppliers screened based on ESG criteria
- All staff with ESG related criteria included as part of their remuneration
- All contractors involved in development projects to have health, wellbeing, diversity and trainee programmes in place
Supporting Documents
Sustainability Statement of Intent
Transforming Dublin Responsibly, our Sustainability Statement of Intent for the period to 2030, consists of the three key principles that we regard as critical to tackling the identified material issues of our stakeholders.
Sustainable Development Brief
The Sustainable Development Brief applies to major redevelopments and refurbishments and is about achieving common goals, providing buildings that are adaptable and resilient to climate change, and that promote the health and wellbeing of their occupiers and the surrounding areas.
Net Zero Carbon Pathway
Our Net Zero Carbon Pathway details how we will meet our decarbonisation ambitions as set out in our Climate Transition Plan and includes challenging targets dedicated to reducing the embodied and operational carbon emissions across our existing portfolio and pipeline of projects.
Community Engagement Charter
Our Community Engagement Charter details the four core areas of action by which we create greater social impact within our local communities.
Climate Transition Plan
Our Climate Transition Plan 2025 outlines our roadmap to achieve net zero carbon operations by 2030, enhance climate resilience, and lead Ireland's transition to a sustainable economy through ambitious decarbonisation, adaptation, and stakeholder engagement.
Our Material ESG Impacts, Risks and Opportunities
To determine the most significant ESG impacts, risks and opportunities (IROs) to Hibernia, we completed our third materiality assessment in late 2024, following a Double Materiality Assessment approach.
Why It Matters
Understanding our material topics is essential for developing a robust sustainability strategy. By identifying both our impact on people and the environment, and how sustainability issues affect our financial performance, we can make informed decisions that create long-term value while meeting the evolving expectations of our stakeholders.
Our Process
We followed a structured three-stage approach:
Stage 1 - Understand: Researched relevant sustainability matters within the real estate sector and mapped our entire value chain to identify where impacts occur. Engaged stakeholders as part of this stage.
Stage 2 - Identify: Created a comprehensive list of ESG-related IROs across our upstream and downstream activities
Stage 3 - Assess: Evaluated each topic based on severity, likelihood, and potential financial impact, followed by calibration and validation workshops with our Senior Management Team
Outcome
Our assessment identified several material topics across Environmental (e.g. climate change mitigation, waste management), Social (e.g. health and safety, working conditions), and Governance (e.g. corporate culture, cyber security) dimensions. These findings will guide our ESG strategy refinement going forward.
UN SDGs
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals were developed as a shared blueprint to protect our environment through tackling climate change and to create an inclusive, peaceful, and sustainable future for all. With our sustainability strategy, and using the UN’s guidance we believe we can contribute to eight of the goals across our three pillars through the involvement of our occupiers and wider stakeholder value chain.
ESG top stats
We are in the fifth year of our 2030 strategy and continue to make positive progress towards achieving on our goals.
2024 KEY FACTS
5stars
GRESB rating for standing assets
69%
Decrease in operational emissions (electricity and gas used to operate our...
>€290k
Donated to charities/community groups over the time period