Indonesia Expat had a chance to get to know Gita Safitri Ashar, who currently serves as Director of Sustainability & Real Estate Advisory at Asia Green Real Estate.
Very few investment management firms out there deliver an exemplary and remarkable commitment to sustainable investment like Asia Green Real Estate. With a sustainable real estate portfolio across the globe, spanning key Asia-Pacific markets including Jakarta, Singapore, Shanghai, Bangkok, Australia—and offices in Jakarta, Shanghai, Sydney, and Zurich—Asia Green Real Estate has consistently participated in Asia’s economic growth, especially in the age where Asia continues to lead the worldwide movement of energy transition and decarbonization.
In a conversation with Indonesia Expat, Gita Safitri Ashar, who currently serves as Director of Sustainability & Real Estate Advisory at Asia Green Real Estate, discussed what makes sustainable real estate investments more valuable than other real estate investments, Asia Green Real Estate’s approach to enforcing sustainability measures for its portfolio, how the government could help support the development and purchasing of green residential complexes in Indonesia, and much more.
Hi, Gita! Can you tell us what you do as Director of Sustainability & Real Estate Advisory at Asia Green Real Estate?
I lead the integration of sustainability into asset performance across our portfolio. My role covers Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy and reporting, green-building certifications, sustainable building performance, retrofit planning, and technical advisory to translate sustainability targets into implementable measures, measurable performance, and long-term asset value.
Asia Green Real Estate is a fully regulated asset manager specialised in sustainable real estate investments in Asia. What can you tell us about it? And what makes sustainable real estate investments more valuable than other real estate investments?
Asia Green Real Estate combines local execution in Asian markets with international investment discipline and governance. Sustainability has been embedded in our strategy since the company was founded in 2009. Our portfolio is in compliance with the European Union (EU) Taxonomy and the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) Article 9 and assessed through GRESB, while individual assets pursue internationally recognised green-building standards such as Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) and GreenMark. Sustainable real estate creates value not only through lower operating costs and stronger regulatory resilience, but also by directly enhancing indoor environmental quality and tenant well-being. Combined with reduced exposure to transition risks such as inefficient systems, rising energy costs, and future carbon requirements, our objective is to deliver more resilient income, stronger long-term asset value, and healthier spaces for tenants.
How would you explain Asia Green Real Estate’s approach to enforcing sustainability measures for its real estate portfolio, especially the one in Indonesia?
We use a performance-based approach. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, making an asset-by-asset perspective essential. Each building is assessed against its baseline, local operating conditions, and relevant international standards; we then establish measurable targets for energy, water, waste, carbon, and building performance. These targets are translated into asset-level improvement plans, capital expenditure priorities, operating procedures, and contractual requirements for project teams and service providers. In Indonesia, this means combining internationally recognised frameworks with local regulations, utility conditions, and practical asset-management realities. Performance is monitored through data, technical reviews, and periodic verification, so corrective action can be taken when results deviate from the target.
Recently, Asia Green Real Estate has published its Market Report for the second quarter of the year 2026. One of the report’s takeaways is how Asia continues to lead in energy transition investment, which is expanding across China, Australia, Indonesia, and Thailand, driven by energy-security needs, decarbonization targets, and rising AI-linked power demand. Going forward, how will this influence Asia Green Real Estate’s operations as a sustainable real estate investment manager?
The energy transition reinforces the importance of treating energy performance as both an investment and operational case. We expect to place even greater emphasis on efficient mechanical systems, building controls, renewable-energy procurement, on-site solar panels where feasible, and credible pathways to lower operational carbon. At acquisition and asset-planning stages, we will continue to evaluate grid exposure, energy intensity, retrofit potential, and capital requirements. Growth in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data-intensive activities may increase electricity demand, but it also strengthens the business case for efficient, flexible, and well-managed buildings. Our focus will remain on solutions that are technically robust, financially viable, and supported by verifiable performance data.
How would you summarise the initiatives related to green energy and sustainability that Asia Green Real Estate has made for its Indonesia-based investments so far in the year 2026? And what can we expect for the foreseeable future as well?
So far in 2026, our Indonesia portfolio has continued to focus on operational efficiency, green-building performance, and decarbonisation readiness. Initiatives include progressing EDGE Advanced and Zero Carbon pathways, optimising cooling and controls, and monitoring energy performance against operational baselines. We are also expanding our advisory work in Indonesia as the country’s first official GRESB Partner and as an International Finance Corporation (IFC)-recognised EDGE preferred service provider.
Going forward, the priority is to convert assessments into implemented improvements: targeted retrofits, renewable-energy solutions, and performance verification that demonstrates both environmental impact and financial value.
What is currently your main concern or your top priority as the Director of Sustainability & Real Estate Advisory at Asia Green Real Estate? And how do you plan to address it?
My top priority is closing the gap between sustainability commitments and measurable asset performance. Ambitious targets are important and must be supported by reliable data, technically sound projects, accountable implementation, and a clear commercial rationale. I address this by establishing asset-specific baselines, prioritising measures through lifecycle cost and carbon impact, assigning clear responsibilities, and tracking results after implementation. This embeds sustainability into every stage of the real estate lifecycle, turning high-level strategies into tangible performance on the ground.
Let’s talk a little bit about green residential complexes, which are already well-known in major cities in Indonesia but not necessarily everywhere else. From your perspective, what is currently the biggest challenge faced by the development of green residential complexes? And what do you think that the Indonesian government could do in order to encourage more developments, as well as purchases, of green housings/residences?
The principal challenge is the perceived cost premium. Government support could further address barriers through consistent building-performance requirements, faster approvals or fiscal incentives for certified projects, green mortgages with attractive terms, and disclosure of expected energy and water costs. Incentives should always be linked to verified outcomes, not only design intent.
Are there any upcoming Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) events or projects held by Asia Green Real Estate in Indonesia that you can tease at the moment—especially if those events or projects are open to the public and/or outside collaborators as well? What can you tell us about it?
We continue to support knowledge-sharing and industry collaboration in Indonesia, particularly around ESG benchmarking, green-building implementation, and the business case for sustainable real estate. As Indonesia’s first official GRESB Partner, we are keen to work with property owners, developers, financial institutions, professional associations, and educational institutions where collaboration can create practical, scalable impact.
Last but not least, how can our readers get in touch with you and Asia Green Real Estate (the headquarters and its Jakarta branch office)?
Please contact Asia Green Real Estate through www.asiagreen.com or follow the company on LinkedIn for our latest reports, events, and portfolio updates. The Jakarta office is at South Quarter Tower B, 21st Floor, Jl. R.A. Kartini Kav. 8, Jakarta 12430, Indonesia. Enquiries submitted through the website can be directed to the appropriate team or office.
