The transformation that a large part of the industrial buildings that make up the portfolios of investment trusts or fibers in Mexico have undergone is due to the new standards that are being developed in terms of ESG (environment, sustainability and governance).

Integrating practices and strategies in both the construction, development, financing and operation phases will bring great advantages to those who adopt them. 

Firstly, properties that exhibit these characteristics are the priority of global companies that are willing to recognize these attributes internationally through rental price. Generally, these properties are classified with the highest ratings and that is where the greatest competition is generated among potential tenants.

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There are multiple markets nationwide where these projects begin under the speculative modality and as soon as they begin to be built under these standards, they already manage to register the closing of rental contracts for average terms of 7 to 10 years in the case of industrial properties.

According to figures from the Solili platform, the accumulated gross demand in the eight months of 2023 exceeds 3.9 million m2 and a good part of it is captured by investment trusts with the portfolios they hold nationwide.

In recent statements by the Mexican Fibras Association (Amefibra) they indicated that among the 16 affiliated investment trusts (Fibras) there are more than 6 million square meters certified under standards such as LEED and EDGE. In monitoring the process by Amefibra, it stands out that all of its associates have established goals and progress in the ESG area.

The advances are diverse and each trust leans towards the criterion that could position it more strongly in the Mexican market. For example, Fibra Uno is advancing its carbon neutral goal by 2050 by developing three phases in its strategy. 

The first involves the direct reduction of GHG emissions, the second consists of the integration of renewable energy sources and the third compensates for emissions that could not be reduced or mitigated.

For its part, Prologis defines sustainability as part of its business where, while strengthening relationships with customers, investors and employees, it also generates benefits in the communities in which they do business.

In recent statements, Prologis and Beetmann, a provider of sustainable energy solutions, announced the creation of a new generation project of more than 90 Gigawatt hours (GWh) of clean energy per year for Prologis clients operating in Mexico, which will begin operating at the facilities of the Prologis Park Izcalli industrial complex.

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Other important national developers such as Vesta and Finsa are also aligned in this strategy. Vesta committed to achieving green certifications by 2026 and 2030 for 20% and 28% of its gross leasable area, respectively.

Meanwhile, Finsa reported that the industrial buildings with LEED certification built by the company now total 538 thousand square meters of construction, which is equivalent to 17% of the national total.

The remainder of 2023 and what will come next year points to a clear path towards all these investment strategies in better ESG criteria, which, far from being a cost for developers and investors, are an element that generates value mainly in the medium and long term.