Exploring Environmental, Social and Governance Performance Measurement

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This Research Insight discusses ESG (environmental, social and governance) performance measurements and how they help guide sustainable and ethical business practices. CMHC's research explores existing ESG frameworks and identifies their benefits and limitations through an in-depth literature review and discussions with key stakeholders. The aim is to explore potential uses for a consistent, flexible and scalable ESG framework for the Canadian housing sector.

Our findings show:

Stakeholder groups often use different definitions, measures, categories and methods to assess housing activities and projects that generate positive ESG outcomes. This makes standardizing an ESG framework difficult.
Data availability was the key barrier identified by stakeholders to the development of a standardized ESG framework.
Affordable housing is becoming a key focus for investors and capital providers.
Commercial developers are under pressure from regulations and investors to enhance environmental performance and affordability.
Not-for-profit housing providers prioritize affordability, suitability and adequacy. However, their key performance indicators often vary due to differing requirements from funding providers.

For more details, download the full report.