AvalonBay Communities Inc

Sign up to access all our data and the evidence and analysis underlying our overall scores. Once you've created an account, we'll get in touch with further details:

Sign Up

Direct Lobbying Transparency

Overall Assessment	Comment	Score
Comprehensive	AvalonBay Communities Inc has demonstrated a comprehensive level of transparency regarding its climate lobbying activities. The company has clearly named specific climate policies it has engaged with, including "DC - Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS)," "NY - Local Law 97," "MA - Boston Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO)," and "WA - Seattle Building Emissions Performance Standards Policy." These disclosures provide identifiable details about the policies and their geographic focus, showcasing a high degree of clarity. AvalonBay has also disclosed specific lobbying mechanisms and targets, such as working with "New York City's Retrofit Accelerator Program" to test and implement technologies for emissions reduction, collaborating with "Boston's Green Ribbon Commission" to study pilot projects for carbon neutrality, and providing "input and comment" to Washington DC's Department of Energy and Environment on Building Energy Performance Standards. Additionally, it has attended webinars to understand and provide feedback on Seattle's Building Emissions Performance Standards Policy. These examples clearly outline both the mechanisms of engagement and the policymaking targets involved. Furthermore, the company has been transparent about the specific outcomes it seeks through its lobbying efforts, such as helping New York City achieve its goal of "an 80% emissions reduction by 2050" and supporting Boston's goal of "carbon neutrality by 2050." It also seeks to influence the implementation components of Washington DC's Building Energy Performance Standards and has proposed alternative policy measures to address emissions accountability for third-party lease organizations. These disclosures clearly articulate the desired policy changes and outcomes sought, demonstrating AvalonBay's comprehensive approach to disclosing its climate lobbying efforts and objectives.	4

Lobbying Governance

Overall Assessment	Comment	Score
Strong	The organization demonstrates a strong governance process for climate lobbying alignment, as evidenced by its outlined mechanisms to ensure consistency between its lobbying activities and its climate change strategy. The company highlights "Procedural consistency," governed by corporate governance policies such as the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Corporate Governance Guidelines, which "provide safeguards against practices that are inconsistent with the Company's objectives and govern direct and indirect activities external to the company (e.g., influencing policy)." Furthermore, the Vice President of Corporate Responsibility (VP of CR) "regularly interfaces with our Chief Investment Officer (CIO) and reports to our Chief Financial Officer," ensuring that trade association participation and advocacy align with the climate change strategy. Additionally, the company ensures alignment at the top level through "regular updates on ESG to the AvalonBay Board of Directors," which oversee activities related to policy influence and climate change strategy. These processes demonstrate clear monitoring mechanisms and accountability structures, with identified responsible parties such as the VP of CR and the Board of Directors. While the evidence does not indicate the publication of a detailed lobbying audit or review, the disclosed governance measures reflect a robust approach to managing climate lobbying alignment.	3