Lauren Moss, SVP, chief sustainability officer at Vornado Realty Trust (NYSE: VNO), sat down for a video interview at Nareit’s REITwise: 2026 Educational Conference in Hollywood, Florida, March 24-26.
Moss emphasized that while tools and technologies continue to evolve, Vornado’s core approach to sustainability has remained consistent for more than 15 years. “How do we drive value for our stakeholders, our shareholders, our tenants?” she said, noting that efficiency, cost management, and strategic investment decisions are central to the company’s long-term approach. She added that sustainability “should be part of the value chain of the organization.”
Regulatory changes are also shaping strategy, particularly the shift from voluntary to mandatory disclosure requirements. Moss explained that Vornado evaluates each building individually, using data and benchmarking to determine compliance timelines and investment priorities.
“Data is key. Benchmarking is key,” she said, highlighting the importance of understanding both asset-level performance and broader utility market dynamics.
On the innovation front, Moss pointed to new partnerships and tools that are improving operational performance. Vornado is deploying an autonomous retro-commissioning platform that integrates with building systems, enabling faster diagnostics and more targeted improvements. Combined with AI and engineering expertise, these tools are helping the company “really impact savings and really drive operational optimization.”