Overview
As industry leaders for more than a decade, we share our processes and our work freely with experts, our industry, and the government. We are excited to share our inaugural Sustainability Report to highlight our work and plans to continue to set the standard for sustainability in real estate.
ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, GOVERNANCE STRATEGY

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

IEQ: Prioritizing Employee Health
Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) improves employee health and productivity. We’ve created a program of industry-leading healthy suites to provide tenants with the opportunity to maximize their IEQ, employee recruitment and retention, and their bottom line.
Find IEQ SuitesEmpire Building Playbook for Deep Energy Retrofits
Co-developed with NYSERDA and supported by other NYC-based landlords and the Clinton Global Initiative, the innovative guide outlines the step-by-step process for existing commercial buildings to develop a pathway to carbon reduction with proven returns on investment. The work shows how to codify test, refine, and verify the in-building projects.
The industry leading deep-energy retrofit at the Empire State Building served as a blueprint for the Empire Building Playbook, and demonstrated what is possible within the built environment to reduce carbon emissions. Since this groundbreaking retrofit, the Empire State Building has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 54 percent and counting.
ESRT partnered with the Clinton Foundation and the Clinton Global Initiative to drive leadership in action toward climate resilience and a carbon neutral future. The Playbook process sets forth a series of steps that can be achieved with a projected timeline of three to six months:
- Assembly of a team
- Delegation of responsibilities
- Technical analysis
- Development of energy and financial models
- Economic analysis
Designed for all levels of technical understanding, the full Empire Building Playbook is available online at the link below.



Commitment to Operational Carbon Neutrality
Empire State Realty Trust has achieved Carbon Neutrality for its entire portfolio through a combination of its industry leadership in building energy efficiency retrofit work and a new, three-year agreement with 18 Reserves and ACT to support the preservation of close to 9,000 acres of biodiverse forest that will offset 100% of its non-electric fossil fuel usage.
- Target of 80% emissions reduction at ESB by 2030 and throughout the commercial portfolio by 2035, in partnership with a more renewable grid.
- As we reduce emissions through our Empire Building Playbook work, we will offset our fossil fuel emissions through accredited sources until we reach our reduction goals.
Empire State Building Retrofit: Lowering Energy Use and Costs
Planet Re-imagined spoke with Empire State Realty Trust CEO Tony Malkin on the deep energy retrofit of the iconic Empire State Building, which has now become the international model for energy efficiency retrofits in the existing built environment. Learn more about how ESRT is on track to achieve its target of net zero emissions with an 80% reduction in operational emissions at the Empire State Building by 2030 and portfolio-wide by 2035.
AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS
14
Properties in Portfolio
10.1
Million Sq. Ft
#1
Most Efficient REIT in NYC
100%
Renewable Energy Portfolio Wide
100% of Portfolio WELL Health-Safety Rated


THOUGHT LEADERSHIP, INDUSTRY COOPERATION, POLICY ENGAGEMENT
Leadership is a part of Empire State Realty Trust’s mission. We actively engage and hold leadership positions which share information and shape and inform industry standards and government policy.
ESRT’S SUSTAINABILITY EMPIRE
Additional Resources
- Empire State Realty Trust Vendor Code of Conduct
- Environmental and Sustainability Policies and SOPs click here
- For vendors & partners: Sustainability Toolkit
- See ESRT’s President, Chairman and CEO Anthony E Malkin speak on Green Buildings click here
- Learn how the Empire State Building shrank emissions by 40% click here
- Human Rights Policy
RECENT PRESS
- Empire State Realty Trust Joins New York State’s $50 Million Empire Building Challenge with Commitment to Carbon Neutrality
- Empire State Realty Trust Earns 2021 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award for Leadership in Forward-Thinking Energy Efficiency Initiatives
- The Empire State Building and its related buildings are now powered by wind
- Empire State Realty Trust Becomes Nation’s Largest 100% User of Green Power in Real Estate
- Empire State Realty Trust Achieves GRESB 5 Star Rating in First Year of Participation
- Empire State Realty Trust Achieves WELL Health-Safety Rating