Cousins Properties Incorporated : 2022 Corporate Responsibility Report

2 0 2 2 CO R P O R ATE R E S P O N S I B I LIT Y R E P O RT

A Message From Our CEO

Overview

Environmental Responsibility	Social Responsibility	Responsible Governance

Data Tables

Appendix

Since 1958, we have recognized that a commitment to thoughtful and responsible operations, with a sustainable model that prioritizes corporate social responsibility, creates meaningful value for all stakeholders.

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A Message From Our CEO

Overview

Environmental Responsibility	Social Responsibility	Responsible Governance

Data Tables

Appendix

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

Seven consecutive years rated Green Star by

Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB)

Fitwel Best in Building Health Award Winner 2023

Green Lease Leader - Gold Level 2023

Ranked among Top 10 Companies with the most

BOMA 360 Buildings

2022 Top workplace Winner -­The Atlanta Journal Constitution and Top workplaces USA.

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A Message From Our CEO

Overview

Environmental Responsibility	Social Responsibility	Responsible Governance

Data Tables

Appendix

DISCLAIMER

Certain matters contained in this report are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws and are subject to uncertainties and risks, as itemized in Item 1A included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of the business and our financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans, and objectives. They also include, among other things, statements regarding subjects that are forward-looking by their nature, such as: guidance and underlying assumptions; business and financial strategy; future debt financings; future acquisitions and dispositions of operating assets or joint venture interests; future acquisitions and dispositions of land, including ground leases; future development and redevelopment opportunities, including fee development opportunities; future issuances and repurchases of common stock, limited partnership units, or preferred stock; future distributions; projected capital expenditures; market and industry trends; entry into new markets, changes in existing market concentrations, or exits from existing markets; future changes in interest rates and liquidity of capital markets; and all statements that address operating performance, events, investments, or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future - including statements relating to creating value for stockholders.

Any forward-looking statements are based upon management's beliefs, assumptions, and expectations of our future performance, taking into account information that is currently available. These beliefs, assumptions, and expectations may change as a result of possible events or factors, not all of which are known. If a change occurs, our business, financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations may vary materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. Actual results may vary from forward-looking statements due to, but not limited to, the following: the availability and terms

of capital; the ability to refinance or repay indebtedness as it matures; the failure of purchase, sale, or other contracts to ultimately close; the failure to achieve anticipated benefits from acquisitions, investments, or dispositions; the potential dilutive effect of common stock or operating partnership unit issuances; the availability of buyers and pricing with respect to the disposition of assets; changes in national and local economic conditions, the real estate industry, and the commercial real estate markets in which we operate (including supply and demand changes), particularly in Atlanta, Austin, Phoenix, Tampa, Charlotte, Dallas, and Nashville, including the impact of high unemployment, volatility in the public equity and debt markets, and international economic and other conditions; the impact of a public health crisis and the governmental and third-party response to such a crisis, which may affect our key personnel, our tenants, and the costs of operating our assets; sociopolitical unrest such as political instability, civil unrest, armed hostilities, or political activism which may result in a disruption of day-to-day building operations; changes to our strategy in regard to our real estate assets which may require impairment to be recognized; leasing risks, including the ability to obtain new tenants or renew expiring tenants, the ability to lease newly developed and/or recently acquired space, the failure of a tenant to commence or complete tenant improvements on schedule or to occupy leased space, and the risk of declining leasing rates; changes in the needs of our tenants brought about by the desire for co-working arrangements, trends toward utilizing less office space per employee, and the effect of employees working remotely; any adverse change in the financial condition of one or more of our tenants; volatility in interest rates and insurance rates; inflation and continuing increases in the inflation rate; competition from other developers or investors; the risks associated with real estate developments (such as zoning approval, receipt of required permits, construction delays, cost overruns, and leasing risk); cyber security breaches; changes in senior management, changes in the Board of Directors, and the loss of key personnel; the potential liability for uninsured losses, condemnation, or environmental issues; the potential liability for a failure to meet regulatory requirements; the financial condition and liquidity of, or disputes with, joint venture partners; any failure to comply with debt covenants under credit agreements; any failure to continue to qualify for taxation as a real estate investment trust or meet regulatory requirements; potential changes to state, local, or federal regulations applicable to our business; material changes in the rates, or the ability to pay, dividends on common shares or other securities; potential changes to the tax laws impacting REITs and real estate in general; and those additional risks and factors discussed in reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") by the Company.

The words "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "plans," "may," "intend," "will," or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although we believe that our plans, intentions, and expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such plans, intentions, or expectations will be achieved. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of future events, new information, or otherwise, except as required under U.S. federal securities laws.

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A Message From Our CEO	Overview	Environmental Responsibility	Social Responsibility	Responsible Governance

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Data Tables

Appendix

5	A Message	Sustainable & Healthy
	From Our CEO	Building Features
		Environmental Initiatives
6-14	Overview	Corporate Office Practices
	About this Report	Third-Party Benchmarking
	Corporate Overview	Accessibility Metrics
	By the Numbers	Awards
	Office Buildings Across	Climate Change and Resiliency
	the Sun Belt	Biodiversity
	Corporate Responsibility
	Principles	36-50 Social Responsibility
	Stakeholder Engagement
	Corporate Responsibility	Cousins Culture
	Reporting Priorities	Commitment to Diversity,
15-35	Environmental	Inclusion, and Equal Opportunity
Human Capital
Responsibility	Professional Development
	Goals and Progress: KPI Metrics	Health and Wellness
	Goals and Progress: Building	Employee Engagement
	Certifications	Civic Engagement
	Maintaining Sustainable Assets
	Social Consciousness and
	Environmental Management and
	Civic Commitment
	Certifications

Healthy Buildings Certifications

Embracing Diversity in

Commercial Real Estate

Key Diversity Highlights

Giving Back

51-58 Responsible Governance

Leadership

Strategy and Risk Oversight

Governance Principles

and Practices

Governance Policies

and Ethics

59-64 Data Tables

2022 Building Certifications

2022 Environmental

Performance

65-83 Appendix

GRI Index

TCFD Disclosures

Spotlight:		Spotlight:
Electric Vehicle		Recycling - Read
Charging - Read		more on page 29
more on page 28

Spotlight:		Spotlight:
Water Reclamation		Waste Diversion
- Read more on		- Read more on
page 32		page 33

Spotlight:		Spotlight:
Urban Honeybees		The Arts - Read
- Read more on		more on page 43
page 35

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