The real estate landscape is evolving, and REITs are adapting to these changes to ensure their buildings and workforces are flexible enough to meet today’s needs while being resilient enough to address tomorrow’s challenges.
Nareit’s annual REIT Industry Sustainability Report highlights how REITs are integrating sustainability and social responsibility into their core business strategies, underscores how value-creation strategies vary across sectors, and highlights the progress REITs are making across a broad range of initiatives.
REIT Transparency
The REIT approach to real estate investment is rooted in transparency, liquidity, and accountability.
Advancing Transparency
The REIT approach to real estate investment is rooted in transparency and accountability. Investors need to know how companies identify opportunities and manage risks, which is why sustainability reporting has become standard practice across the industry.
The report demonstrates how REITs are providing investors with decision-useful information and greater insight into how sustainability considerations are integrated into investment processes and business strategies. It also highlights ongoing efforts to strengthen governance practices that support long-term value creation and shareholder confidence.
REIT Portfolio Operations
REITs are stewards of long-term investments in real estate that benefit from efficient operations, strategic use of capital, and sound risk management practices.
Strengthening Portfolio Operations
As responsible stewards of properties and land, REITs are continuously improving building performance, enhancing resource efficiency, and preparing portfolios to withstand evolving physical and transition risks.
The report highlights the myriad ways REITs are investing in improvements across their portfolios and strengthening their resilience, whether that is through on-site energy generation and renewable energy procurement or through risk assessments and certifications that help REITs manage costs and meet tenants’ changing needs.
REIT Responsibility
REITs build strong leaders and create vibrant places through intentional actions that address the needs of their workforce and the communities where they invest.
Supporting People and Communities
The REIT industry’s success depends on talented employees, strong stakeholder relationships, and thriving local communities. This report illustrates how REITs support workforce development and professional growth while fostering connections with tenants, nonprofit organizations, and local communities. By investing in people and maintaining strong ties to the neighborhoods where they operate, REITs are fostering economic prosperity and helping local municipalities thrive.
As the physical world, our society, and the regulatory environment continue to evolve, the industry will adapt by remaining responsible stewards of capital, embracing innovation in property ownership, delivering value to tenants, and making meaningful contributions to the communities where REITs invest and operate.
I hope you enjoy Nareit’s 2026 REIT Industry Sustainability Report and encourage you to join us in continuing the conversation. We remain committed to supporting the REIT industry as it identifies opportunities, addresses emerging challenges, and delivers value for everyone who invests in and interacts with REITs.
Download the 2026 REIT Sustainability Report (PDF)
About this Report
Nareit collects data on the topics and metrics publicly reported by REITs. All data cited, unless otherwise noted, is based on public reporting of the top 100 public equity REITs by market capitalization as of Dec. 31, 2025, and is compiled and reported at the industry level as a percentage of market cap.
Data Downloads
Data sources and methodology for the information in this report can be found in the REIT Sustainability Data Methodology Statement.
Download the aggregated REIT industry sustainability data in this report.