{"id":1004554966,"date":"2021-10-28T11:24:01","date_gmt":"2021-10-28T19:24:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/?p=1004554966"},"modified":"2022-12-07T22:59:44","modified_gmt":"2022-12-08T06:59:44","slug":"cbres-tim-dismond-on-doing-the-work-in-esg","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/cbres-tim-dismond-on-doing-the-work-in-esg\/","title":{"rendered":"CBRE\u2019s Tim Dismond on Doing the Work in ESG"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the commercial real estate industry places greater emphasis on environmental, social and governance issues across the board, it is putting increasing amounts of responsibility on the shoulders of those who oversee and measure those efforts. In February, CBRE Group Inc. announced that its chief diversity officer Tim Dismond was being promoted to chief responsibility officer, a newly created position in the firm. Before the creation of this role, he served as a division president in the company\u2019s Global Workplace Solutions Enterprise business.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Tim Dismond, Chief Responsibility Officer & Chief Diversity Officer, CBRE. Image courtesy of CBRE Group Inc.<\/p><\/div>\n

Commercial Property Executive<\/em> spoke with Dismond about what the transition means for the company, what initiatives he is most passionate about and where the real estate industry has the most to grow.<\/p>\n

W<\/strong>hat was the vision behind CBRE creating the position of chief responsibility officer and folding into it your role as chief diversity officer?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dismond: <\/strong>By consolidating leadership for ESG matters under a single leader, it elevates the visibility, sponsorship and accountability required to advance measurable progress and continue the gains we have made over the past years.<\/p>\n

We have a responsibility to address issues that directly impact our people and communities, such as sustainability and diversity, equity and inclusion. These critical areas remain a top strategic priority for our company.<\/p>\n

What does the chief responsibility officer role entail at CBRE?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dismond: <\/strong>As chief responsibility officer, I oversee all our ESG efforts holistically. ESG is comprised of DE&I, sustainability, workplace safety & wellbeing, philanthropy and public\/government affairs. These are all critical areas and, by consolidating responsibility under one leader, we can further drive and accelerate measurable progress through collaborative efforts.<\/p>\n

What are some specific initiatives you are passionate about?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dismond: <\/strong>I am passionate about all our initiatives because of the potential impact they can have. I\u2019d like to highlight two related to CBRE\u2019s supply chain.<\/p>\n

CBRE manages one of the largest third-party spends in the commercial real estate industry with over 125,000 suppliers globally. Last October, we announced a commitment to spend $1 billion with diverse suppliers by end of 2021 and $3 billion annually by 2025. This commitment directly benefits underrepresented businesses and drives economic impact in the local communities. I am proud to share that we are currently trending to surpass our 2021 goal and are implementing additional strategies to strengthen the relationships and opportunities we have with minority suppliers.<\/p>\n

Additionally, our newly announced sustainability commitment includes a supplier sustainability component to help meet our net zero goals by 2040. Through this, CBRE has created the foundation of a sustainable supply chain by implementing supplier sustainability assessments, driving sustainable purchasing and investing in sustainability-focused teams.<\/p>\n

Where do you think the real estate industry has the most to grow when it comes to DEI? How can real estate do better?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dismond: <\/strong>For a variety of reasons, the commercial real estate industry has, historically, been homogenous. This issue is not confined to our industry\u2013however, it is in urgent need of change so that the industry remains competitive for top-tier talent.<\/p>\n

At CBRE, we have implemented initiatives that specifically focus on attracting, retaining and developing top-tier talent. These include:<\/p>\n