There is no escaping the fact our climate is changing — for the worse — and the global real estate industry is one of the largest contributors to this change. It means, however, industry players are uniquely positioned to tackle this challenge — this imperative — to help save the planet for future generations. In April, Institutional Real Estate Asia Pacific senior editor Dr Jennifer Molloy spoke with three experts on sustainability, and their responses are collected below. The Q&A includes Abigail Dean, global head of strategic insights, Nuveen Real Estate; Lynette Leong, chief sustainability officer, CapitaLand Investment; and Dr Raphael Mertens, chief risk officer and head of sustainability, Allianz Real Estate.

As the third-largest emitter of pollution, the real estate industry has fiduciary and leadership opportunities for sustainable development. What steps must be taken for