Local’s ESG Initiatives for Creating Community Impact

At Local, we create and manage apartment buildings just for renters, so you can live in the best neighbourhoods in Melbourne without the worst bits of renting! We’re on a mission to change the way Australians look at housing. We’re shaking things up for the better by creating communities where social and environmental sustainability is a part of everyday life, not an optional extra. 

Our environmental, social, and governance (ESG) framework guides our actions and decisions, making sure that we have a clear plan. We know when we’re on track (and when we’re not), and they keep us accountable. It’s about creating value and making a lasting impact so that everyone, from residents to stakeholders, has a great time with us. Read here to learn more about the ESG initiatives that make living like a Local a better way to rent. 

B Corp Certification 

We’re a proudly Certified B Corporation. B Corps are businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. We’re part of a growing, purpose-led community of 8,000 B Corps globally, with more than 680 in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand alone! This certification sets a really high bar, and ensures we’re continually improving as we work towards a better future for both people and the environment. 

Impact Housing

To create truly inclusive communities, we’re integrating Impact Housing into every one of our projects. We’ve allocated a minimum of 10% of our apartments to people who need them, including affordable housing for key workers, housing for women over the age of 55 experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and specialist disability accommodation (SDA). 

We’ve made some significant strides towards our goals. In 2023, we committed $53 million in capital funding to Impact Housing, established a partnership with Women’s Property Initiative (WPI) and partnered with Home in Place for Kensington’s SDA apartments. By 2026, we plan on creating over 500 new homes dedicated to Impact Housing. We aim to create thriving communities where everyone feels welcome, respected, and has a place to call home. If you want to learn more about Local’s Impact Housing or clarify eligibility, click here. 

Net Zero Living

We’ve been net zero in our business operations from day dot. We recognise that there is no Planet B, so from the day we started Local we’ve committed to running our offices with the planet in mind. And we’re not just saying it, we’ve been Climate Active carbon neutral certified since 2023. This means we’re keeping our carbon footprint in check and ensuring our business and building operations have minimal environmental impact.  

Looking ahead, we’ve set some big goals for 2050, but we’re not waiting around—we’ve got a target to cut our upfront carbon footprint by 40% before 2030 rolls around. That’s just the start. Our ultimate aim? To be totally net zero by 2050. We’re all in for a greener, cleaner future!

We’ve put solar panels on our rooftops, ensuring our shared spaces stay powered up with clean energy from the sun. Plus, we’ve got networks in place that run entirely on 100% Green Power, so you know we’re serious about all things renewable, recyclable and reusable. Oh, and guess what? We’re going all electric across the board too! No fossil fuels here, thank you. Want proof? See our impact here. 

Material Innovation 

Sustainability is a  top priority every step of the way. We’re all about using materials that are good for the planet and for the people who make them. We go for stuff that’s recycled or can be recycled down the line, and we make sure it’s going to last. Oh, and we love teaming up with local suppliers whenever we can. It’s a win-win: less emissions and a boost for our local communities.

Water Conservation

We make sure all our buildings are set up to save water. That means we’ve got nifty tricks like low-flow everything indoors and outdoors, gardens that don’t need much water, and even systems to catch rainwater. It’s all part of our plan to use water smarter and keep our places green.

Community and Inclusion

Community is at the heart of what we’ve set out to achieve with Local. We believe that feeling like you belong somewhere is key to living your best life. Our building designs aim to nurture connections within our residential communities, establishing an environment where people can not only live, but truly flourish. We’re all about making sure our apartments feel like home for everyone who lives with Local. We all want a space that feels like our own, to splash the walls with paint, raise a family or snuggle our pets, and live in for as long as we like. We also have high-quality amenities available to our residents, like private dining rooms, co-working spaces, wellness areas and swimming pools. All of this comes together to boost health, happiness, and that warm fuzzy feeling of being part of something extraordinary.

But that’s not all. We regularly check in with our local communities to maintain positive relationships. We foresee any potential issues and put preventative measures in place, so everyone can enjoy the perks without any hassles. 

At Local, we’re passionate about reshaping the way Australians think about housing by crafting a future that’s both sustainable and community-focused. It’s not just a tagline for us – it’s what gets us out of bed in the morning.