Morguard 2012 Corporate Sustainability Report: Overall reductions in energy, emission and water

MISSISSAUGA, ON, May 27, 2013 /CNW/ - Morguard Corporation (TSX: MRC) ("Morguard") released its 2012 Corporate Sustainability Report, Building A Sustainable Future, which details the overall reductions in energy, emissions and water across its portfolio of owned and managed properties. The full Report is available at www.morguard.com.

Morguard is committed to a long-term sustainability vision and recognizes the responsibility and opportunity to invest in programs and design to develop and manage sustainable buildings. Sustainability encompasses environmental, social and governance (ESG) impacts.  The report is a self-declared Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Application Level B and includes Construction and Real Estate Sector Supplement (CRESS) indicators.

"Our properties house families and businesses across Canada and the United States, and we believe we can make a difference by being advocates for sustainability and leading by example from our corporate offices," said Rai Sahi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Morguard Corporation.  "We understand that no organization can be sustainable on its own and we recognize the efforts of our tenants, investors, shareholders and employees to partner on this long-term program."

Highlights

Morguard achieved overall energy, emission and water reductions since 2010.  These results are a tribute to the hundreds of employees who work every day to reduce environmental impacts through increased efficiency.

The combined properties showed significant reductions in cost and environmental impacts, particularly in the Canadian office and retail portfolios when normalized and compared to 2011:

• 3.7% less energy usage
• 3.4% fewer greenhouse gas emissions
• 6.6% less water usage

On a cumulative basis and compared to the 2010 benchmark year, the 2012 results represent an overall reduction of:

• 7.1% less energy usage
• 7.4% fewer greenhouse gas emissions
• 11% less water usage

Morguard's Development team continues to strive for LEED green-building certifications.  Today, Morguard has 13 LEED projects in progress including Uptown (Retail) in Victoria, BC, Performance Court (Office) in Ottawa, ON, Maple Leaf Foods Distribution Centre (Industrial) in Wellington, ON and Tweedsmuir (Residential) in Toronto, ON.  Download the 2012 Corporate Sustainability Report at www.morguard.com  for the full list of LEED development projects.

Morguard also considers LEED certification for acquisitions. In 2012 Morguard purchased Alta at K Station, a premier LEED Gold-certified high-rise residential rental complex in Chicago, IL.  When the twin-tower complex was certified in 2011, it was the largest apartment building in the United States to have earned LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

About Morguard

Morguard is an expert in North American real estate ownership, investment and management. With a strategic focus on high-quality assets and diversification, Morguard has a proven track record of realizing the potential of real estate through consistent investment performance.  Morguard has more than $13 billion of assets owned and under management as of December, 31, 2012. The integrated real estate services company manages its own real estate portfolio, as well as invests and manages on behalf of third-party institutional and private real estate investors. Morguard offers integrated real estate services, including investment management, asset management and property management.

Morguard Corporation owns a 42.9% interest in Morguard Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX: MRT.UN) and a 48.8% effective interest in the Morguard North American Residential Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX: MRG.UN).

SOURCE: Morguard Corporation