Environmental Overview

AIR's commitment to managing our environmental impact drives operational excellence and creates efficient, healthy and modern communities for our residents to enjoy. We have set targets for emissions reductions, energy efficiency, water conservation and building certifications. We assess physical and transition costs for our entire portfolio and for new acquisitions. AIR's environmental management system is consistent with ISO 14001. At AIR, we weave environmental stewardship and resilience planning into all aspects of our business.

purple globe icon
16.5%

GHG emissions intensity decrease since 2019 baseline

purple chart icon
74%

of the portfolio is certified as sustainable

purple lightbulb icon
15.5%

increase in waste diversion since 2019

Goals & Targets

AIR’s environmental goals and targets address energy and water conservation, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, whole building data and more. Our goals are informed by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and serve to focus our efforts and monitor our progress.

15%

GHG intensity savings over 2019 baseline by 2025

15%

Energy intensity savings over 2019 baseline by 2025

10%

Water intensity savings over 2019 baseline by 2025

95%

Of AIR’s portfolio certified as sustainable by 2025

View all ESG Goals & Targets
garnish

Benchmarking and Standards

Building Certifications

IREM Logo

50 IREM

LEED Logo

10 LEED

NGBS Logo

4 NGBS

California

Maryland

Minneapolis

Colorado

Philadelphia

Massachusetts

Florida

Washington DC

Reducing Greenhouse Gases

Our current goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across our portfolio 15% by 2025. In order to satisfy our customers and lower our costs, we seek to install more efficient energy sources and technology. AIR's data is independently verified. Asset level data for energy, water, GHG and waste is reviewed and verified by an AA1000 Assurance Provider.

Initiatives

  • Energy Efficiency
    AIR's efficient cogeneration systems have avoided emissions equivalent to that of 741 passenger vehicles

  • Renewable Energy
    AIR is aggressively pursuing solar electric generation across the portfolio

  • Building Certification
    AIR is committed to certifying our portfolio through LEED, IREM or other recognized certifications

  • EV Charging Stations
    Approximately 58% of AIR's properties have EV charging stations installed

  • Zero Emissions Mowing
    AIR's sustainable lawn care program avoids 63 tons of CO2 emissions each year and reduces noise pollution

  • Alternative Transportation
    More than 71% of AIR properties have a Walk, Bike or Transit score higher than 70

backyard pool view

Energy

AIR's goal of reducing energy usage 15% by 2025 guides our efforts to become more energy efficient. We currently monitor whole building performance for approximately 60% of our properties in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager allowing us to identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption. Smart home technology, ENERGY STAR appliances and high efficiency LED lighting have been incorporated into all AIR communities. We have invested in highly efficient cogeneration at six properties throughout the United States. More than a dozen properties use solar thermal energy to heat swimming pools, and we are actively pursuing installation of solar photovoltaic panels to generate electricity at nine AIR communities.

Photo: The pool at Saybrook Pointe Apartments in San Jose, CA is heated using thermal solar energy.

purple chart icon
5.7%

Absolute energy consumption decrease since 2019

purple chart icon
10.3%

Energy intensity reduction since 2019

purple globe icon
$8.1 MILLION

Investment in energy conservation in 2020-2022

photo of a 10 foot waterfall and a river flowing downstream

Water Conservation

AIR strives to achieve 10% water savings by 2025. Key strategies include monitoring consumption, utilizing water efficient fixtures and low flow plumbing devices, investing in smart irrigation systems, and installing xeric landscaping in arid environments such as California and Colorado, and ensuring HVAC equipment is maintained and operating efficiently.

Photo: Lincoln Place in Venice, CA uses xeric landscaping, smart irrigation systems and efficient fixtures as part of its historic rehabilitation.

Low flow plumbing fixtures have been our standard for over a decade.

Water leak sensors are included in smart home technology installed in all apartment homes.

All properties in CA and CO have smart irrigation systems installed.

Resilience - Physical and Transition Risks and Costs

Keeping our team members, residents, and communities safe is our top priority. AIR takes a proactive approach to protect our communities from the impacts of severe weather and to identify market risks of regulations requiring the transition to a low carbon economy. According to Sustainalytics, AIR Communities is considered to be at “Low Risk” of experiencing material or financial impact due to ESG factors. Our efforts related to these risks and aligned with the Task Force For Climate Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) include:

Initiatives

  • In 2022, AIR received a verified "A" rating by GRESB's TCFD assessment of AIR's governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics and target.

  • We assess the carbon intensity of each asset and the potential cost of meeting changing legislation and regulations and recovery cost from extreme weather events

  • Best in class disaster preparedness program that guides all site teams through natural disasters

  • AIR engages MSCI, a leading provider of decision support services, to conduct an annual risk assessment of AIR's entire portfolio. AIR's portfolio outperforms MSCI's global benchmark of over 50,000 assets for physical and transition risks

  • AIR performs physical and transition risk cost assessments on all new property acquisitions

  • Upgrades during renovations include protection from storm damage and other impacts of natural disasters