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ENVIRONMENTAL
INTRODUCTION
SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGY
SOCIAL
POLICIES AND TRANSPARENT REPORTING
APPENDICES
Biodiversity Our portfolio illustrates the principle that the greenest building is the one that already exists. We believe that biodiversity can be prioritized with a positive impact in urban environments and contribute to urban health and revitalization. We focus on preservation and restoration, aligned with our commitment to preserve and respect natural resources. We will align with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD).
LANDSCAPING ESRT has six green roofs at the Empire State Building and 12 rooftop gardens within our portfolio. All new landscaping is required to be native and adaptive with plants that are insect- and disease-resistant. We use organic and natural materials whenever feasible.
FOREST PRESERVATION In 2022, ESRT partnered with ACT and 18 Reserves Forest Carbon Project to offset 100% of the portfolio’s non-electric energy usage, which includes all steam, natural gas, and fuel oil energy consumption. This partnership contributes to the conservation of approximately 9,000 acres of carbon-sequestering biodiverse forest through improved forest ecosystem management techniques. The project takes a holistic approach to conservation; it increases tree seedling regeneration, addresses pests, improves forest species diversity, restores wetlands and streams, controls invasive species, conducts prescribed burns, reforests meadows, and creates wildlife habitats where animals can thrive. These actions improve forest health, make it resilient to extreme weather, boost its ability to act as a carbon sink, and enhance its ability to provide recreational and income-generating opportunities for local communities.
BEEHIVES ESRT maintains four successful apiaries, which house approximately 200,000 honeybees, at the Empire State Building, 111 W. 33 rd Street, 1350 Broadway, and 501 Seventh Avenue. Our tenant CookFox maintains one of the city’s first such apiaries at our property at 250 W. 57 th Street. Honeybees are vital parts of our ecosystem, and they are in serious decline. Managed honeybee colonies in the U.S. have declined from six million colonies in 1947 to under two and a half million today. 11 At ESRT, we believe we can do our part to help honeybee populations recover. Each apiary produces approximately 100 jars of honey each harvest season, which we share with our tenants and employees to raise awareness of the importance of pollinators in biodiversity and the role buildings can play in urban biodiversity.
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
To minimize pest infestations and exposure to pesticides, we developed an integrated pest management program that can be found in our Sustainability Guidelines, which all building staff and third-party vendors must follow. These stringent guidelines include procedures that involve monitoring and reporting, communication, environmental control, documentation, and preventative pest management best practices.
11 https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2017/06/20/being-serious-about-saving-bees
EMPIRE STATE REALTY TRUST: 2023 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
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