Sustainability at Vert
We are a small company with a global reach. Our challenges with environmental, social and governance responsibilities are both easy and hard. We have direct impact in our office and business travel. As we grow, we are setting a foundation of good policy and a practice of continual reappraisal and modifications.
Certified B Corp
We are a Certified B Corporation. B Corps model their business as a force for good. We are proud to challenge our firm with better business practices. The certification has helped us reflect on our choices and promotes improvements.
Energy Use Reduction
We’ve installed reflective film on windows to reduce solar gain in our offices. This helps regulate the interior temperature without the use of air conditioning. The film also reduces glare and allows the window blinds to be up to take advantage of natural light.
Reusing Glass and Ceramics
We use glass plates, cups, and ceramics every day in addition to hosting events to eliminate single use plastic and reduce waste.
Recycling
We recycle everything we can. There are separate recycling bins to ensure recycling paper, glass and aluminum is convenient and easy.
Sourcing
We choose environmentally-friendly suppliers where possible. We also assess key suppliers against a checklist, which includes reviewing their environmental, social, and governance practices. When an eco-solution is not offered, we open the conversation to what we’re ideally looking to achieve.
Commuting
We encourage cycling to work. Most trips to the office are by bike. Our office has cycle storage and shower facilities.
Business Travel
Business travel is not discouraged as we believe in the value of developing relationships face-to-face. Even so, over 80% of meetings take place on the phone and using online presentation tools. We use public transport where possible for business travel.
Workplace Well-Being
Our flexible work policy allows our team to work remotely and still be connected. We trust our team to get things done. This allows team members to work their own schedule. Additionally, we encourage our team to volunteer in the community regularly.
Our office includes open-plan desk space and an outdoor patio area.
Affiliations
Vert is formally affiliated with the following organizations for the benefit of our clients, service and industry.
Through these networks, we work to create a more environmentally sustainable society.
B Lab is the nonprofit governing body of the standards that distinguish the B Corp™ community as leaders and exists to serve, inspire, and empower a global movement of people using business as a force for good™. It’s vision is that one day all companies will compete to be Best for the World® and as a result society will enjoy a more shared and durable prosperity for all. Businesses pay an annual membership fee to be a Certified B Corporation.
1% for the Planet inspires businesses and individuals to support environmental solutions through annual membership and everyday actions. Business members pledge 1% of annual revenue to the 1% for the Planet Foundation.
The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment (US SIF) is a membership association that advances sustainable, responsible and impact investing (SRI) across all asset classes. Its mission is to shift investor practices toward sustainability, focusing on long term investment and the generation of positive social and environmental impacts.
The Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) is a membership association that advances responsible and sustainable business practices, including a strong corporate culture of ethics, through shareholder advocacy. Its mission is to move business away from short-term returns towards sustainable strategies that advance the common good. Affiliate members pay an annual membership fee.
The United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) Initiative is an international policy initiative working with participants in the financial service industry. Its members are required to integrate and report on six principles for responsible investment. Signatories pay an annual membership fee.
The Climate Action 100+ is an investor initiative to ensure the world’s largest corporate greenhouse gas emitters take necessary action on climate change. It is led by a collaboration among CalPERS, PRI, and Ceres. Through this initiative, Vert Asset Management works with other asset managers in dialogue with a Timber REIT.
EU Finance@Biodiversity Community
Finance for Biodiversity Pledge is calling on global leaders to commit to protect and restore biodiversity through their finance activities and investments in the run-up to the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 2021.
F@B Community provides a forum of dialogue between financial institutions (FIs) to share experiences, raise awareness and promote best practices at EU level on how to integrate biodiversity and natural capital into mainstream financial activities and foster investments to reverse nature loss.
The CDP (formerly Carbon Disclosure Project) is a non-profit organization that works to raise corporate awareness on issues such as climate, water, and forestry. The CDP requests information on climate risks and low carbon opportunities from the world’s largest companies on behalf of over 525 institutional investor signatories. The organization believes that disclosure is essential to the effective management of carbon and climate change risk. Investor signatories pay an annual membership fee.
GRESB assesses the sustainability performance of real estate and infrastructure portfolios and assets worldwide. GRESB offers ESG data, Scorecards, Benchmark Reports and portfolio analysis tools. Investor members pay an annual membership fee.
Dimensional Fund Advisors provides sub-advisory services for Vert Asset Management.
US Bancorp provides the master-series trust structure for Vert Asset Management.
