Urban Benchmark
31 October 2024
The first-ever iteration of WBA’s Urban Benchmark ranks the sustainability performance of the 300 most influential companies shaping urban environments worldwide, across sectors such as construction, energy, real estate, transport, waste and water management. The benchmark assesses how effectively the private sector is addressing essential urban needs while respecting planetary boundaries. It evaluates companies on several dimensions, such as decent work and human rights practices, environmental and climate impacts, social inclusion and overall sustainability leadership.
The results show clearly how companies are failing to take adequate responsibility for their role in ensuring affordable, safe and inclusive urban environments for all, with the best-performing company scoring just 47.8% of the total score. On average, companies perform better (12.4%) on elements assessing internal changes, such as developing structures, policies and processes than on elements evaluating their progress in reducing negative impacts or enhancing positive ones (4.5%). While internal changes are an understandable first step, companies need to move beyond these initial efforts to deliver tangible results by actively pursuing sustainable practices throughout their operations.
Companies are taking minimal action to address deadly pollutants that threaten urban public health
Urban populations, especially in megacities, face intense air and noise pollution due to heavy traffic, industrial activities, construction and high levels of waste. Chronic exposure to excessive noise is linked to hearing loss, sleep disturbances, stress and cardiovascular diseases. Particulate matter (PM) air pollution is even more severe, estimated to contribute to nearly 8 million deaths globally in 2023. Given the private sector’s significant contribution to both forms of pollution, it is concerning that only 9 (3%) of the 300 benchmarked companies have reported consistent reductions in key air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulphur oxides (SOx), and only five reported reductions in PM. In the transport and construction sectors, just 10 of 77 (13%) companies reported actions to mitigate their noise or vibration levels. Companies must face up to their responsibility towards the public health of communities. They should invest in advanced technologies, upgrade to more efficient and less polluting equipment and set up regular monitoring and clear targets to reduce air and noise pollution.
Despite billions facing a cost-of-living crisis, affordability does not factor into the sustainability agenda for 75% of urban companies
The world faces a cost-of-living crisis predicted to leave 3 billion people without adequate affordable housing and basic services by 2050. Companies play a direct role in this crisis; in many cities, essential services such as transportation and utilities are privatised, while large real estate developers and builders dominate the market, significantly impacting property prices and availability of affordable housing. Despite this, 75% of the companies score zero on affordability, failing to report, plan ahead or take concrete actions. This affects a large segment of the global urban population. For instance, the 50 energy companies and 30 water companies in the benchmark impact 2.5 billion and 850 million people, respectively. Poor performance is particularly concerning in low- and middle-income regions facing rapid urbanisation, where only 1 in 10 companies operating in these regions takes any steps to address affordability. Affordable housing and services are vital for urban sustainability and should be prioritised by the private sector. Additionally, regulators must establish common reporting standards and enforce stronger regulations to ensure equitable access to housing and basic services for all.
Housing and urban service providers are not engaging their key stakeholders: residents and local communities
The biggest urban companies providing housing and key services in 43 megacities – home to over 692 million people – often overlook the very stakeholders most affected by their activities. Over half fail to report any engagement with affected stakeholders. In fact, fewer than 40% of the companies recognise local communities as key stakeholders; only 5% identify tenants or residents as key stakeholders and none acknowledge residents of informal settlements, though this population surpasses 1 billion globally. Moreover, many companies only use one-way communication methods, such as social media and newsletters. With the increasing influence of the private sector in local planning and urban policymaking, this trend brings the risk of exacerbating power imbalances and systemic inequalities. Communities may find themselves marginalised by corporate decisions that profoundly shape their lives and environments. There are no two ways about it – companies must proactively identify, engage with and receive feedback from all affected urban stakeholders, especially the most vulnerable ones.
With fewer than 6% of urban companies having set science-based targets to lower greenhouse gas emissions, cities’ net-zero goals are at risk
Cities generate 70% of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. At the same time, they hold the potential to lead efforts in climate change mitigation. Many have already set emissions reduction targets to help limit global warming to 1.5°C. Unfortunately, the biggest urban companies are not adequately contributing to this goal, with fewer than 50% of benchmarked companies disclosing their emissions data. In megacities that have 1.5°C-aligned emissions targets, only 6% of companies have had their targets validated by science-based standards. This lack of commitment seriously jeopardises cities' ambitions to meet their net-zero targets. Tackling this challenge requires a two-way approach. Local authorities should integrate decarbonisation performance into their public procurement, licensing and building permit criteria, to encourage companies to perform better. Companies, in turn, must ramp up efforts to report emissions, set science-based targets and swiftly implement low-carbon measures, such as zero-energy buildings and other energy efficiency initiatives.
The majority of urban companies operating in low-and middle-income countries lack emergency response strategies, even as the frequency, scale and toll of natural disasters continues to rise
One-third of the world’s urban population lives in cities facing high risk of natural disasters. Nearly 90% of disaster-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, where rapid urbanisation and poor infrastructure heighten vulnerability. Yet, 63% of the urban companies operating in low- and middle-income countries provide no evidence of conducting natural disaster risk assessments. Among those that do, most offer minimal details or only consider climate-related disasters, disregarding other types. Additionally, 69% of companies do not disclose their emergency response and recovery strategies, which is concerning given they are often the main providers of key services in the cities where they operate. In line with the Sendai Framework, companies should integrate disaster risk management and business continuity into their business models and make risk-informed investments. They must conduct thorough risk assessments, create effective emergency response strategies, and collaborate with the public sector to share best practices and non-sensitive data with a view to becoming more disaster resilient.
See how the companies performed
View rankingWhere are 300 companies headquartered?
Locations
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Title: CXIG
Place: China
Description: -
Title: Primero TSL
Place: Nigeria
Description: -
Title: Mumbai Metro One Private
Place: India
Description: -
Title: MetrôRio
Place: Brazil
Description: -
Title: Transport au Congo
Place: Democratic Republic of Congo
Description: -
Title: Societe des Transports Abidjanais
Place: Cote d'Ivoire
Description: -
Title: Transport for London
Place: United Kingdom
Description: -
Title: MTA
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: Anbessa City Bus Service Enterprise
Place: Ethiopia
Description: -
Title: Gensler
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: Nikken Sekkei
Place: Japan
Description: -
Title: Perkins Eastman
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: Haeahn Architecture
Place: South Korea
Description: -
Title: Heerim Architects & Planners
Place: South Korea
Description: -
Title: DLR Group
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: HKS
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: DSP Design Associates
Place: India
Description: -
Title: Archetype Group
Place: Vietnam
Description: -
Title: Foster + Partners
Place: United Kingdom
Description: -
Title: Tianhua Architecture Planning & Engineering
Place: China
Description: -
Title: Lacime Architects
Place: China
Description: -
Title: SmithGroup
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: Hoa Binh
Place: Vietnam
Description: -
Title: IJM
Place: Malaysia
Description: -
Title: Walsh
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: Vistaland
Place: Philippines
Description: -
Title: Boston Properties
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: Covivio
Place: France
Description: -
Title: DMCI Homes
Place: Philippines
Description: -
Title: Eko Development
Place: Nigeria
Description: -
Title: Greystar
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: Grit Group
Place: Mauritius
Description: -
Title: Klépierre
Place: France
Description: -
Title: MAA
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: Morgan Properties
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: Pruksa Holdings
Place: Thailand
Description: -
Title: Rendeavour
Place: Nigeria
Description: -
Title: Sunway
Place: Malaysia
Description: -
Title: The Crown Estate
Place: United Kingdom
Description: -
Title: Ventas
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: Vornado Realty Trust
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: EMT Madrid
Place: Spain
Description: -
Title: MRT3
Place: Philippines
Description: -
Title: SUBUS
Place: Chile
Description: -
Title: Algérienne Des Eaux
Place: Algeria
Description: -
Title: ENDE
Place: Angola
Description: -
Title: Octopus Energy
Place: United Kingdom
Description: -
Title: ONEE
Place: Morocco
Description: -
Title: TANGEDCO
Place: India
Description: -
Title: Tokyo Water
Place: Japan
Description: -
Title: MRTA
Place: Thailand
Description: -
Title: ECARU
Place: Egypt
Description: -
Title: Cappa and D'Alberto
Place: Nigeria
Description: -
Title: Clark Construction
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: Empresa ICA
Place: Mexico
Description: -
Title: Group Five
Place: South Africa
Description: -
Title: Laufer
Place: Angola
Description: -
Title: Saudi Public Transport Company
Place: Saudi Arabia
Description: -
Title: North China Construction Group
Place: China
Description: -
Title: MTC Chennai
Place: India
Description: -
Title: Multiplan
Place: Brazil
Description: -
Title: NESPAK
Place: Pakistan
Description: -
Title: Mallplaza
Place: Chile
Description: -
Title: Prestige Estates
Place: India
Description: -
Title: Realty Income
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: Regideso
Place: Democratic Republic of Congo
Description: -
Title: Sobha
Place: India
Description: -
Title: Sunteck
Place: India
Description: -
Title: Tomra Systems
Place: Norway
Description: -
Title: TCUL
Place: Angola
Description: -
Title: Waste Management Inc
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: GoTo
Place: Indonesia
Description: -
Title: Vonovia
Place: Germany
Description: -
Title: Dalian Wanda Group
Place: China
Description: -
Title: Essential Utilities
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: Gamuda
Place: Malaysia
Description: -
Title: Girişim Elektrik
Place: Turkey
Description: -
Title: Gujarat Gas
Place: India
Description: -
Title: Hongkong Land
Place: Hong Kong
Description: -
Title: Promigas
Place: Colombia
Description: -
Title: Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation
Place: India
Description: -
Title: DESCO
Place: Bangladesh
Description: -
Title: Edenor
Place: Argentina
Description: -
Title: Kenya Power
Place: Kenya
Description: -
Title: Aqualia
Place: Spain
Description: -
Title: Aguas y Saneamientos Argentinos
Place: Argentina
Description: -
Title: Air Selangor
Place: Malaysia
Description: -
Title: Yesil Adamlar
Place: Turkey
Description: -
Title: Averda
Place: Dubai
Description: -
Title: Bangalore Electricity Supply Company
Place: India
Description: -
Title: Dhaka Power Distribution Company
Place: Bangladesh
Description: -
Title: Egyptian Holding Company for Water & Waste Water
Place: Egypt
Description: -
Title: EnviroServ
Place: South Africa
Description: -
Title: Ikeja Electric
Place: Nigeria
Description: -
Title: Interaseo
Place: Colombia
Description: -
Title: Maynilad
Place: Philippines
Description: -
Title: Metropolitan Electricity Authority
Place: Thailand
Description: -
Title: Metropolitan Waterworks Authority
Place: Thailand
Description: -
Title: Mosvodokanal
Place: Russian Federation
Description: -
Title: Nairobi Water
Place: Kenya
Description: -
Title: Saigon Water Corporation
Place: Vietnam
Description: -
Title: Southern California Edison
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: Tokyo Gas
Place: Japan
Description: -
Title: Keolis Group
Place: France
Description: -
Title: Guangzhou Metro
Place: China
Description: -
Title: Beijing MTR Corporation
Place: China
Description: -
Title: Shenzhen Metro Group
Place: China
Description: -
Title: Tokyo Metro
Place: Japan
Description: -
Title: Seoul Metro Corporation
Place: South Korea
Description: -
Title: Moscow Metro
Place: Russian Federation
Description: -
Title: Régie autonome des transports parisiens Group
Place: France
Description: -
Title: Osaka Metro
Place: Japan
Description: -
Title: Chongqing Rail Transit
Place: China
Description: -
Title: Tehran Metro
Place: Iran
Description: -
Title: Tianjin Rail Transit Group
Place: China
Description: -
Title: Kolkata Metro
Place: India
Description: -
Title: Light Rail Transit Authority
Place: Philippines
Description: -
Title: Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation
Place: India
Description: -
Title: L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad
Place: India
Description: -
Title: Sistema de Transporte Colectivo
Place: Mexico
Description: -
Title: SM Prime
Place: Philippines
Description: -
Title: The Arab Contractors
Place: Egypt
Description: -
Title: Vietnam Electricity
Place: Vietnam
Description: -
Title: Vinhomes
Place: Vietnam
Description: -
Title: Hassell
Place: Australia
Description: -
Title: SWA Group
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: Frasers Property
Place: Singapore
Description: -
Title: Land and Houses
Place: Thailand
Description: -
Title: Setia
Place: Malaysia
Description: -
Title: Shimao
Place: China
Description: -
Title: Sunac
Place: China
Description: -
Title: Tokyu Fudosan
Place: Japan
Description: -
Title: City Developments Limited
Place: Singapore
Description: -
Title: BR Properties
Place: Brazil
Description: -
Title: Becamex
Place: Vietnam
Description: -
Title: Arup
Place: United Kingdom
Description: -
Title: Ciputra Development
Place: Indonesia
Description: -
Title: Talaat Moustafa Group
Place: Egypt
Description: -
Title: Promotora Ambiental
Place: Mexico
Description: -
Title: Samsung C&T
Place: South Korea
Description: -
Title: China Fortune Land Development
Place: China
Description: -
Title: PIK Group
Place: Russian Federation
Description: -
Title: K-Electric
Place: Pakistan
Description: -
Title: OEC
Place: Brazil
Description: -
Title: Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield
Place: France
Description: -
Title: Avalonbay Communities
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corp
Place: India
Description: -
Title: Bangkok Expressway and Metro PCL
Place: Thailand
Description: -
Title: Bangladesh Road Transport Corp
Place: Bangladesh
Description: -
Title: Brigade Enterprises Ltd
Place: India
Description: -
Title: Bumi Serpong Damai
Place: Indonesia
Description: -
Title: Burns & McDonnell
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: West Bengal Transport Company
Place: India
Description: -
Title: CapitaLand Investment
Place: Singapore
Description: -
Title: Central Pattana
Place: Thailand
Description: -
Title: Sao Paulo Metro
Place: Brazil
Description: -
Title: Société Nationale d'Électricité
Place: Democratic Republic of Congo
Description: -
Title: Consultatio
Place: Argentina
Description: -
Title: Transmilenio
Place: Colombia
Description: -
Title: EPAL
Place: Angola
Description: -
Title: Equity Residential
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: FUNO
Place: Mexico
Description: -
Title: Goodman Group
Place: Australia
Description: -
Title: Growthpoint Properties
Place: South Africa
Description: -
Title: HDR
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: HOK Group Inc
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: Istanbul Metro
Place: Turkey
Description: -
Title: Punjab Transport Company
Place: Pakistan
Description: -
Title: Link REIT
Place: Hong Kong
Description: -
Title: Lodha
Place: India
Description: -
Title: Shanghai Construction Group
Place: China
Description: -
Title: Skanska
Place: Sweden
Description: -
Title: SPML Infra
Place: India
Description: -
Title: Stantec
Place: Canada
Description: -
Title: State Grid Corporation of China
Place: China
Description: -
Title: SUEZ
Place: France
Description: -
Title: Sun Hung Kai Properties
Place: Hong Kong
Description: -
Title: Sweco
Place: Sweden
Description: -
Title: Taisei Corporation
Place: Japan
Description: -
Title: Taiwan Power
Place: Taiwan, China
Description: -
Title: TANESCO
Place: Tanzania
Description: -
Title: Tenaga Nasional
Place: Malaysia
Description: -
Title: Tokyo Electric Power Company
Place: Japan
Description: -
Title: Transdev
Place: France
Description: -
Title: Uber
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: United Utilities Group
Place: United Kingdom
Description: -
Title: Va Tech Wabag
Place: India
Description: -
Title: Veolia Environnement
Place: France
Description: -
Title: VINCI
Place: France
Description: -
Title: Waste Connections
Place: Canada
Description: -
Title: Welltower
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: Xylem
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: Seazen
Place: China
Description: -
Title: Urbaser
Place: Spain
Description: -
Title: Swire Properties
Place: Hong Kong
Description: -
Title: Sumitomo Realty
Place: Japan
Description: -
Title: Hyundai Engineering and Construction
Place: South Korea
Description: -
Title: China Resources Land
Place: China
Description: -
Title: Beijing Construction Engineering
Place: China
Description: -
Title: BUCG
Place: China
Description: -
Title: CREC
Place: China
Description: -
Title: Shapoorji Pallonji & Co
Place: India
Description: -
Title: Adani Energy Solutions
Place: India
Description: -
Title: Bolt
Place: Estonia
Description: -
Title: Chengdu Metro
Place: China
Description: -
Title: China Tianying
Place: China
Description: -
Title: CIDCO
Place: India
Description: -
Title: Delhi Metro
Place: India
Description: -
Title: DLF
Place: India
Description: -
Title: Elsewedy Electric
Place: Egypt
Description: -
Title: Godrej Properties
Place: India
Description: -
Title: Hassan Allam Holding
Place: Egypt
Description: -
Title: Henderson Land
Place: China
Description: -
Title: Housing and Urban Development Corporation
Place: India
Description: -
Title: Julius Berger
Place: Nigeria
Description: -
Title: Keppel Corporation
Place: Singapore
Description: -
Title: Meralco
Place: Philippines
Description: -
Title: Cabify
Place: Spain
Description: -
Title: Megaworld
Place: Philippines
Description: -
Title: Oberoi Realty
Place: India
Description: -
Title: Robinsons Land
Place: Philippines
Description: -
Title: Grupo Roggio
Place: Argentina
Description: -
Title: Shanghai Metro
Place: China
Description: -
Title: ComfortDelGro
Place: Singapore
Description: -
Title: CFE
Place: Mexico
Description: -
Title: SABESP
Place: Brazil
Description: -
Title: Sanepar
Place: Brazil
Description: -
Title: Country Garden Holdings
Place: China
Description: -
Title: BRK
Place: Brazil
Description: -
Title: Cyrela Brazil Realty
Place: Brazil
Description: -
Title: D.R. Horton
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: Daiwa House Group
Place: Japan
Description: -
Title: DiDi Chuxing
Place: China
Description: -
Title: E.ON
Place: Germany
Description: -
Title: EDP
Place: Portugal
Description: -
Title: Egyptian Electricity Holding Company
Place: Egypt
Description: -
Title: Eiffage
Place: France
Description: -
Title: EDF
Place: France
Description: -
Title: Enel
Place: Italy
Description: -
Title: ENGIE
Place: France
Description: -
Title: Eranove
Place: France
Description: -
Title: Eskom
Place: South Africa
Description: -
Title: FirstGroup
Place: United Kingdom
Description: -
Title: Grab
Place: Singapore
Description: -
Title: Greenland Holdings
Place: China
Description: -
Title: Greentown China Holdings
Place: China
Description: -
Title: GS Engineering & Construction
Place: South Korea
Description: -
Title: Guangdong Investment
Place: China
Description: -
Title: Iberdrola
Place: Spain
Description: -
Title: Inter RAO
Place: Russian Federation
Description: -
Title: Kajima Corporation
Place: Japan
Description: -
Title: Kansai Electric Power
Place: Japan
Description: -
Title: Thames Water
Place: United Kingdon
Description: -
Title: Korea Electric Power Corporation
Place: South Korea
Description: -
Title: Larsen & Toubro
Place: India
Description: -
Title: Lennar
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: Longfor Group Holdings
Place: China
Description: -
Title: Lyft
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: Metallurgical Corporation of China
Place: China
Description: -
Title: Mitsubishi Estate
Place: Japan
Description: -
Title: Mitsui Fudosan
Place: Japan
Description: -
Title: MRV Engenharia
Place: Brazil
Description: -
Title: National Grid
Place: United Kingdom
Description: -
Title: New World Development
Place: Hong Kong
Description: -
Title: Nextera Energy
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: Obayashi Corporation
Place: Japan
Description: -
Title: Ola
Place: India
Description: -
Title: PG&E
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: Perusahaan Listrik Negara
Place: Indonesia
Description: -
Title: Prologis
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: REMONDIS
Place: Germany
Description: -
Title: Republic Services
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: Rosseti
Place: Russian Federation
Description: -
Title: Saudi Electricity Company
Place: Saudi Arabia
Description: -
Title: Sempra Energy
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: ACCIONA
Place: Spain
Description: -
Title: Acea
Place: Italy
Description: -
Title: ACS Group
Place: Spain
Description: -
Title: AECOM
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: Airbnb
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: American Water Works
Place: United States of America
Description: -
Title: Balfour Beatty
Place: United Kingdom
Description: -
Title: Beijing Capital Group
Place: China
Description: -
Title: Bouygues Group
Place: France
Description: -
Title: CCR
Place: Brazil
Description: -
Title: Centrica
Place: United Kingdom
Description: -
Title: China Communications Construction
Place: China
Description: -
Title: China Merchants Group
Place: China
Description: -
Title: China Overseas Land & Investment
Place: Hong Kong
Description: -
Title: China Pacific Construction Group
Place: China
Description: -
Title: China Poly Group
Place: China
Description: -
Title: China Railway Construction
Place: China
Description: -
Title: China Southern Power Grid
Place: China
Description: -
Title: China State Construction
Place: China
Description: -
Title: China Vanke
Place: China
Description: -
Title: China Water Affairs Group
Place: China
Description: -
Title: Chongqing Water Group
Place: China
Description: -
Title: CIFI Holdings
Place: China
Description: -
Title: CK Asset Holdings
Place: Hong Kong
Description: -
Title: Cleanaway Waste Management
Place: Australia
Description:
Further reading
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View our methodology
We have developed this methodology to measure and track how the world’s most influential urban companies are helping to make cities more inclusive and environmentally sustainable
See our methodology -
Press release
New research reveals urban companies are failing to build inclusive, affordable and sustainable cities
See press release