PropertyGuru Group, Southeast Asia’s leading property technology company, has released its Sustainability Report 2024, reinforcing its commitment to fostering inclusive and sustainable urban living. As the region’s urban population is projected to reach 63% by 2050, PropertyGuru’s initiatives aim to address growing urban challenges by leveraging data, digital tools, and strategic collaborations.
The report highlights key insights from PropertyGuru’s 2024 survey, revealing that 83% of Malaysians are willing to pay a premium for homes with sustainable features. These features are valued for their ability to reduce utility costs, enhance climate resilience, and retain long-term value. PropertyGuru, which attracts 32 million monthly visits from property seekers and works with 50,000 active real estate agents across the region, continues to introduce platform innovations to address the property market’s evolving needs.
Cécile Corda, Head of Sustainability at PropertyGuru Group, emphasised the growing demand for sustainable and inclusive housing.
“At PropertyGuru, we’re responding to this demand with actionable solutions. By equipping property seekers and stakeholders with the tools to make informed, sustainable choices, we’re helping to build cities that are resilient and inclusive,”
she said.
Data-Driven Solutions for Sustainable Housing
The report also indicates that 77% of Malaysians now factor climate risks into their home-buying decisions. PropertyGuru Malaysia has responded by providing data-driven insights, including historical disaster data on flood-prone and landslide-risk areas, allowing developers to assess risks at a neighbourhood level. The company has also launched educational content on climate-proofing properties, reinforcing its role in promoting public awareness.
Promoting inclusivity is another central theme of the report. Following the successful introduction of the ‘Everyone Welcome’ tag in Singapore last year, PropertyGuru has now launched the feature in Malaysia. This tool highlights rental listings where landlords are open to tenants of all races, genders, and religions, fostering diversity and fair housing practices.
PropertyGuru’s community initiatives also saw volunteers partnering with The Lost Food Project to recover 2,600kg of surplus food, providing over 7,600 meals and preventing more than 6 tonnes of carbon emissions. Additionally, the company plans to launch a ‘Women Leaders Programme’ in Malaysia to enhance inclusivity within its workforce.
Commitment to Climate Action
The report underscores PropertyGuru’s strong commitment to reducing its environmental impact. After establishing a baseline for its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the company achieved net-zero status for direct operations by transitioning to 100% renewable energy. Moreover, to reduce the energy usage of its data infrastructure, PropertyGuru has adopted more energy-efficient cloud solutions, further advancing its decarbonisation efforts.
Kenneth Soh, Country Manager of PropertyGuru Malaysia, pointed out a notable shift in home searches. Areas such as Kota Emerald, Kuah, and Ulu Kelang have seen over 100% year-on-year search growth, driven by affordability.
“Meeting this demand requires integrating sustainable features into mid-market and rental segments. The future of housing in Malaysia depends on making sustainable living accessible to all,”
Soh noted.
By aligning its efforts with emerging consumer expectations, PropertyGuru remains committed to supporting sustainable living choices and fostering inclusive communities, making sustainability a realistic option for a broader demographic.
For more information, download the full PropertyGuru Sustainability Report 2024 here.
