HIW CRR 2023 v8 - Flipbook - Page 6
RESILIENCY WITH CONFIDENCE
Resiliency is a core component of the Highwoods
Strategic Plan, and we are well-positioned to
implement core environmental, social and governance
(ESG) initiatives through the creation of resilient
properties and communities. Our confidence for the
future and the resiliency of our portfolio are supported
by the following objectives:
• Focus on the Best Business Districts (BBDs) of eight
core markets across the U.S. Sun Belt. Our markets
have 2.0x growth in employment and 2.5x growth in
population when compared to the national average.
BUSINESS RESILIENCY
• Maintain a strong balance sheet with ample liquidity
that positions us to capitalize on potential growth
opportunities in the coming years.
• Seek diversification of markets, customers, industries
and lease size.
• Generate strong cash flows through attractive
net effective rents and efficient capital
expenditure spending.
• Capitalize on the accelerated “flight to quality”
through the acquisition and development of
high-quality assets and the disposition of lowquality assets.
• Maintain disciplined inventory of well-located land
for future office and mixed-used development.
To advance our longterm resiliency and ESG initiatives,
we have a management-level Corporate Resiliency
Team that is overseen by the Company’s Board of
Directors. Composed of a diverse group of disciplines
including executive leadership, the Corporate
Resiliency Team is charged with refining our long-term
resiliency strategy, driving performance improvements
across our portfolio and tracking progress toward
defined goals.
CLIMATE RESILIENCY
PEOPLE RESILIENCY
Our actions aim to drive business and economic
resiliency and are anchored by our three ESG
pillars: Business Resiliency, Climate Resiliency and
People Resiliency.
• We are committed to managing our company
in an ethical and transparent manner.
• We are committed to reducing the
environmental impact of our properties.
• We aim to maintain a resilient balance sheet
which allows us to invest, grow and create
value for all stakeholders.
• We aim to push the envelope on sustainable
building design and operations through
innovative technologies, industry engagement
and key partnerships.
• We are committed to improving the well-being
of our customers by designing workspaces
that promote health and wellness.
• We are committed to using best-in-class ESG
reporting standards that promote data quality
and reliability in performance measurement.
• We aim to engage with employees, customers
and our communities to continuously
promote the Highwoods culture of service.
• We are committed to achieving a low-carbon
footprint through an asset life cycle
perspective (site selection, development,
acquisition and asset management).
• We are committed to advancing our diverse
and inclusive culture within Highwoods and
to engage with our partners and supply chain
on diversity and inclusion initiatives.
• We are committed to an integrated Enterprise
Risk Management framework that drives
resiliency across the organization.
• We believe in Board independence and that
the Board and Management exercise judgment
and oversight over company operations,
including ESG, that are aligned with business,
stakeholder and societal interests.
• We aim to provide a safe and healthy work
environment and improve the overall health
and well-being of our employees.
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