If you’re bidding on commercial real estate projects in 2025 — whether construction, restoration, or facilities management — chances are you’ve already seen it:
“Please include ESG credentials.”
“List your sustainability practices.”
“Explain how your team supports social equity.”
These aren’t fluff questions. They’re now deal-breakers.
More and more RFPs require vendors and contractors to demonstrate how their work supports the client's environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals.
The good news? You don’t need to overhaul your business. You just need to learn how to frame what you’re already doing — and where to grow from here.
Three major forces are behind the shift:
Regulatory compliance – Projects tied to government funds, insurance coverage, or investor capital often require ESG accountability across the entire value chain.
Investor pressure – Many owners need to prove ESG alignment to their own stakeholders — and that means showing it at every layer, including contractors.
Risk reduction – ESG-compliant vendors are viewed as more stable, ethical, and predictable — which is good for long-term partnerships.
Here’s a simple checklist you can adapt to your next RFP:
Use of low-emission materials
Waste reduction practices
Fuel-efficient equipment
On-site recycling plans
Energy and water tracking
Workforce safety records
Local or diverse hiring efforts
Fair wages and subcontractor practices
Community impact (e.g. working with local orgs)
Accessibility and tenant comfort considerations
Transparency in bidding
Compliance with labor and environmental laws
Vendor ethics policy
Conflict resolution process
Data tracking and reporting capabilities
You don’t need all of these — even 2–3 strong examples can signal leadership.
✅ Use clear, field-based language
Example: “We recycle 80% of construction debris through [vendor name], tracked weekly via load-out tickets.”
✅ Be honest about what’s in progress
Transparency beats perfection. You can say: “We’re piloting electric lift equipment at two sites this year.”
✅ Show the win-win
Example: “Switching to recycled drywall reduces cost and supports the client’s carbon reduction targets.”
✅ Back it up
Even a simple one-pager showing photos, vendor certifications, or checklists helps.
[What Commercial Contractors Need to Know About ESG in 2025]
[Embodied Carbon in Building Materials]
You don’t have to become a sustainability expert overnight.
But in 2025, proposals that ignore ESG look outdated — or risky.
The best contractors? They’re already speaking the language — and winning the work.