A comprehensive sustainability standard for shopping centres


To assess and promote the sustainability performance of our retail assets, we developed the Better Places Certification, the first comprehensive sustainable standard for shopping centres that covers all environmental and social dimensions.

The Certification was designed with the support of Bureau Veritas Solutions and WWF France, which shared its expertise and critical-friend vision on the biodiversity, water, mobility, energy, sustainable consumption and climate aspects of the criteria.

The Better Places Certification covers a 360° approach of sustainability related aspects on site: from the sustainable performance and sustainable offer at asset-level, to the shops’ sustainable performance and sustainable offer.

With this holistic approach, the Certification encompasses current core industry ratings, such as BREEAM In-Use and Energy Performance Certificates, while adding eight further environmental and social categories: water use; biodiversity; energy & climate; waste management; mobility; health, safety & comfort; sustainable consumption; and communities & local support.

Regarding sustainable consumption, the Better Places Certification relies on the assessment provided by the Sustainable Retail Index (SRI), which offers a dynamic and comprehensive view of retailers’ sustainability commitments and performance. Learn more about the SRI

Each of our assets will receive a rating from A to E, demonstrating the progress they have made in their sustainability performance. The Certification is designed to highlight each centre’s commitments and inform consumers and communities about the steps being taken at their shopping centre to promote sustainability and sustainable consumption.

URW has set a target to certify 10 of our assets by the end of 2024 and 100% of our European retail portfolio by the end of 2027.