ENVIRONMENTAL
INTRODUCTION
SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGY
CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP
GOVERNANCE 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 plan to align with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). HONEY BEES Honey bees are vital parts of our ecosystem, and their population are in serious decline. In 2022, ESRT installed honey bee hives at four of our commercial properties. To extend our impact and commitment, in 2024, ESRT installed honey bee hives at all Manhattan properties. ESRT maintains 12 successful apiaries, which house approximately 250,000 honey bees. Our tenant COOKFOX maintains one of the city’s first such apiaries at our property 250 W. 57th Street. At ESRT, we believe we can do our part to help honey bee populations recover. The installation of a hive in an urban environment requires minimal resources but brings a flood of direct and indirect benefits, notably social and ecological. The practice brings together city dwellers, repurposes an unused space, highlights a variety of issues related to the environment, industrial agriculture, pollination, and greening while producing local, artisanal honey. Each apiary produces an average of 30 pounds of honey each harvest season, which we share with our tenants and colleagues to raise awareness of the importance of pollinators in biodiversity and the role buildings can play in urban biodiversity.
HARLEM GROWN ESRT volunteers to help Harlem Grown, a nonprofit organization that provides mentorship opportunities to youth in Harlem through hands-on education on urban farming, sustainability, and nutrition. This year, our colleagues composted, weeded, added mulch to the flower beds, harvested several species of organic gourmet mushrooms grown in a Harlem basement, and planted seedlings. They had an essential role in the gardening process and learned about the incredible 24/7/365 hydroponic gardens in Harlem while preparing substrate.
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2024 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
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