JLL appoints sustainability lead, joins Climate Leaders Coalition

New Zealand has committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and, with our built environment responsible for 20% of the country’s gross carbon footprint, commercial real estate leader JLL is focusing on transforming the landscape and supporting Kiwi businesses through the transition.  

JLL has today announced two strategic developments that will further help their clients to meet their sustainability goals. First, JLL has made a key appointment with Fatma Abdelaal joining as its sustainability lead for New Zealand and Australia. Abdelaal is a renowned expert in sustainable building design and assessment and whole building life cycle assessment (WBLCA). 

Based in Auckland, Abdelaal holds a PhD in WBLCA and sustainable buildings from the University of Canterbury, and a MSc in architectural engineering and building technology. Abdelaal has 15 years’ experience in New Zealand, the Middle East, and North Africa in sustainable design, carbon assessment and management, and circular economy strategies for supporting decarbonisation and achieving global carbon reduction targets. 

“I’m proud to be joining JLL at this crucial time in commercial real estate sustainability. Businesses need to consider all aspects of their carbon footprint and built environment impact if New Zealand is to achieve its carbon emission reduction targets. JLL’s new sustainability offering, which includes a range of sustainability services from ESG and net zero strategies to energy audits and fleet transition services, will deliver tangible benefits to our clients and support them to achieve their sustainability targets and climate goals,” Abdelaal said. 

JLL has also become the first commercial real estate business to join the Climate Leaders Coalition (CLC), a group of CEOs leading New Zealand business through collective, transparent, and meaningful action on climate change mitigation and adaptation. Signatories commit to the CLC’s statement of ambition, which includes reporting emissions and enabling employees, customers, and suppliers to reduce their carbon impact. 

JLL managing director Todd Lauchlan said joining CLC sends an important signal to the market. 

“In some ways, New Zealand is behind the rest of the world when it comes to real estate sustainability. For example, we know that currently, there’s not enough supply of rated buildings to enable businesses to meet their net zero targets by 2030. We are committed to partnering with our clients to help them develop and achieve their sustainability strategies and to ensure the ongoing sustainability of their enterprises.”

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