AvalonBay Communities

DEVELOPING A GREENER PLANET — ONE IDEA AT A TIME.

To support environmental sustainability and make progress with our long-term ESG commitments, we integrate environmental considerations into the practices and policies we use to run our business. These criteria serve as the foundation for our environmental framework.

Science Based Targets (SBTs)

We are pleased to report a cumulative reduction of 43.6% against our Scope 1 & 2 SBT and 13.9% against our Scope 3 SBT since our 2017 baseline year.

Check out our SBTs below.

Solar

Renewable energy is an important component of our strategy to achieve both of our SBTs. This is why we are actively pursuing solar in multiple ways, including onsite common-area, onsite residential and offsite community solar.

Biodiversity

We believe that mitigating our environmental footprint extends beyond reducing carbon, water and waste. Understanding our impact and trying to protect and support biodiversity where possible is part of our commitment to continuous improvement of our ESG programs.

Embodied Carbon

As an active developer, understanding and reducing our embodied carbon impact is pivotal to achieving our Scope 3 SBT as well as lowering our environmental impact.

Green Financing

In 2021, we issued our inaugural green bond offerings totaling $1.1M. Our Green Bond Framework governs the use of this funding to ensure alignment with the Green Bond Principles. In 2022, we entered our Sixth Amended and Restated Revolving Loan Agreement containing a sustainability-linked pricing component tied to the achievement of our Scope 1 & 2 science-based emission reduction targets. We are one of the first REITS to incorporate both up and downside potential in its Credit Facility.

THE GROUNDWORK FOR WHAT WE WANT TO ACHIEVE.

We track and report progress on our science-based targets, waste and water goals, and the activities and programs developed to support our commitment to environmental sustainability at AvalonBay.

Emissions

In 2019, we set ambitious science-based Scope 1, 2 & 3 emissions reduction targets. We strive to reduce our carbon emissions, and achieve our SBTs, through activities such as our onsite solar and energy efficiency programs while increasingly assessing embodied carbon in construction and sourcing green electricity for our communities.

WATER

Water conservation is an important issue as many areas of the country are experiencing both increased and lengthier periods of drought. To help address this issue, we have created a suite of five water goals, including the goal highlighted above. To see all five water goals, please see our most recent ESG Report.

WASTE

With trash and recycling costs on the rise and municipalities requiring more strict disposal measures across the portfolio, our Waste Task Force helps identify new regulations and develop new strategies to increase our diversion rates while combating higher costs.

Environmental Certifications

We have 63 communities that have received one or more environmental certifications to-date — while an additional 30 are currently pursuing certification. We now have six regional offices with a LEED or EnergyStar environmental certification, including our corporate headquarters which became Fitwel certified and LEED Gold Certified in 2021.

Learn more

ALWAYS IMPROVING. ALWAYS TRANSPARENT.

Across every aspect of our business, we’re always looking to challenge ourselves and be better than yesterday. Take a look at our history of ESG and Green Bond reports, CDP responses, assurance statements and policies.

View all reports & resources