BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Digital Colony (the “firm”), a leading owner, operator and investment manager of companies enabling the next generation of mobile and Internet connectivity and global digital infrastructure, today announced two significant steps in formalizing the firm’s approach to environmental, social and corporate governance (“ESG”) integration and reporting. The firm, through its parent company Colony Capital, Inc., has become a Signatory of the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (“PRI”) and distributed its first annual ESG report to fund investors.
The PRI is an international global network of asset managers, owners and service providers working together to put responsible investment into practice. The principles aim to provide a framework for integrating ESG considerations into investment decision-making and ownership practices.
The firm’s inclusion as a PRI Signatory formalizes the commitment detailed in Digital Colony’s Responsible Investment Policy, while also providing a broader network of peers to share best practices and additional transparency for stakeholders to monitor the firm’s progress.
“We are a proud signatory of the PRI because we recognize the value of supporting a nonprofit organization that advances responsible investment globally, shares best practices and holds our industry accountable for ESG efforts,” said Marc Ganzi, CEO of Digital Colony and CEO-elect of Colony Capital.
“We are delighted to welcome Digital Colony to the PRI,” said Fiona Reynolds, CEO of PRI. “Both the Digital Colony and Colony Capital teams recognize the importance of integrating ESG into their investment strategy and decisions and we look forward to working with them in the coming months.”
Digital Colony has also issued its first annual ESG report, which details the results of implementing a Responsible Investment Policy, underscoring how Digital Colony believes incorporation of ESG factors in decision making at both the firm and portfolio company level is helping to build stronger, more resilient businesses. The report emphasizes Digital Colony’s ongoing commitment to integrating ESG analysis in the firm’s due diligence of potential investments, partnering with its portfolio companies to advance their ESG performance, supporting a diverse and inclusive workforce and communicating transparently with investors and other stakeholders.
“Digital Colony and our companies are committed to enabling greater digital connectivity, which positively impacts community and economic development. We are excited to share the firm’s ESG report that outlines how Digital Colony’s approach to responsible investment is critical to, and ultimately strengthens, our core business,” said Ben Jenkins, Chief Investment Officer of Digital Colony.
This announcement comes on the heels of Digital Colony’s portfolio company, Vertical Bridge REIT, LLC ("Vertical Bridge"), the largest private owner and operator of communications infrastructure in the United States, declaring just last week that it officially became 100% carbon neutral. Vertical Bridge is now a certified CarbonNeutral® company in accordance with The CarbonNeutral Protocol, the leading global framework for carbon neutrality.
Mr. Ganzi, who also serves as Executive Chairman of Vertical Bridge, added “Digital Colony and our portfolio companies continue to strengthen their ESG track records, and Vertical Bridge becoming the first telecommunications tower company in the world to achieve net zero emissions is a testament to that.”
About Digital Colony
Digital Colony is one of the world’s largest dedicated digital infrastructure investment firms with over US$20 billion in assets under management. Launched in 2017 by Digital Bridge and Colony Capital, Digital Colony brings together Digital Bridge’s industry, operational and investment expertise, and Colony Capital’s (NYSE: CLNY) global operating platform and capital markets access. Digital Colony is a leading investor, owner and operator enabling the next generation of mobile and internet connectivity through investments in mission-critical infrastructure around the globe. Headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida with offices in New York, Los Angeles, London and Singapore, the firm closed its first discretionary fund dedicated solely to investing in digital infrastructure with approximately US$4.1 billion in commitments in 2019. For more information, please visit www.digitalcolony.com.