Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Factors as Key Factors in Industrial and Retail Properties/Real Estate Investment Decision

ESG factors has become increasingly important in property and real estate investment decisions in recent times hence, this study x-rays the importance of considering these factors in industrial and retail properties. The study identified some factors that influence ESG in industrial and retail properties. The principal component analysis done for factors in respect to industrial properties identifies these factors and they include; employee wellbeing, community health impact, energy efficiency community engagement, transportation access and indoor air quality sustainable design and materials, employment health and safety practices and green certification. The analysis done shows that employee wellbeing is ranked first, followed by community engagement while green spaces rank seventeenth. The study also identified factors affecting ESG in retail properties, such as employee wellbeing, community health impacts, biodiversity, green certification, indoor air quality, energy efficiency, transportation access, sustainable design and materials. The measure of sampling adequacy and sphericity done for both industrial and retail properties shows that samples used were good in cases. The study concludes that the real estate sector plays a crucial role in shaping the future of our planet and emphasised need to continue to take ESG factors in consideration in real estate investment decision.