Responsible Investing

Blackstone has been a strong supporter of efforts by the private equity industry to promote the highest standards for ethical investing and improve transparency. 

Blackstone is a founding member of the U.S. Private Equity Council (PEC), a trade group representing the industry.  Working with the PEC in 2009, Blackstone helped craft a set of Guidelines for Responsible Investment that incorporate environmental, health, safety, labor, governance and social issues into investment decision-making and ownership activities.

Better Buildings Partnership (BBP) – In October 2009, Blackstone Real Estate Partners became a member of the Better Buildings Partnership (BBP); a consortium of leading UK property owners, supported by the Mayor of London and the London Development Agency.  Leading the way through best practice, the BBP 's goal is to educate the wider commercial property market to improve the sustainability of London's existing commercial building stock and minimize the impact these buildings have on the environment. The consortium is committed to achieving substantial CO2 savings.
 
Blackstone is the first real estate private equity firm to join this influential consortium. The firm is delighted to be a member of BBP and looks forward to working with other leading real estate investors and owners in London to promote this vital initiative.

Transparency and Disclosure

At Blackstone, transparency and disclosure are fundamental to the way we do business.  We strive at all times to ensure that our investors, unitholders, employees, portfolio companies and all parties with whom we do business can rely on us to operate in a responsible and ethical manner.  We have a deep commitment to professionalism, fairness and integrity in all of our business activities. 

In 2007, Blackstone joined an effort led by Sir David Walker and the British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (BVCA) to craft Guidelines for Disclosure and Transparency in Private Equity. The “Walker Report,” as it is known, made specific recommendations for improving the level of public disclosure by private equity firms operating in the United Kingdom.  Blackstone voluntarily conforms to those recommendations.

We are actively involved in similar initiatives across Europe, including those that are currently being undertaken by the European Venture Capital Association (EVCA), the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and the German Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (BVK).

Environmental Responsibility

Blackstone believes that protecting the environment of the communities in which we operate is critically important.  Responsible environmental stewardship is vital for health and social reasons and ultimately impacts our business.