GRESB is an investor-driven organization committed to assessing the ESG performance of real assets globally. More than 250 members, of which more than 60 are pension funds and their fiduciaries, use the GRESB data in their investment management and engagement process, with a clear goal to optimize the risk/return profile of their investments.
Why GRESB
Global standard
We offer a consistent framework to collect and compare key ESG indicators and related performance metrics across global real estate and infrastructure portfolios. Our benchmark aligns with international reporting frameworks and supports all existing building and project certification standards.
We offer a consistent framework to collect and compare key ESG indicators and related performance metrics across global real estate and infrastructure portfolios. Our benchmark aligns with international reporting frameworks and supports all existing building and project certification standards.
Transparency
Demand is high for better transparency around ESG issues. We provide investors with unique comparative business intelligence into the performance of companies, fund managers, and operators. They can gain access to standardized, high quality ESG data and tools to analyze critical aspects of management, policy, implementation and performance of real assets.
Demand is high for better transparency around ESG issues. We provide investors with unique comparative business intelligence into the performance of companies, fund managers, and operators. They can gain access to standardized, high quality ESG data and tools to analyze critical aspects of management, policy, implementation and performance of real assets.
Monitor & manage
Using GRESB, investors as well as the companies, fund managers, and operators they invest in, can better manage their assets and portfolios in the face of more volatile energy supply, stricter legislation to combat climate change, increased energy efficiency requirements and changing preferences of corporate users.
Using GRESB, investors as well as the companies, fund managers, and operators they invest in, can better manage their assets and portfolios in the face of more volatile energy supply, stricter legislation to combat climate change, increased energy efficiency requirements and changing preferences of corporate users.
Global standard
We offer a consistent framework to collect and compare key ESG indicators and related performance metrics across global real estate and infrastructure portfolios. Our benchmark aligns with international reporting frameworks and supports all existing building and project certification standards.
Transparency
Demand is high for better transparency around ESG issues. We provide investors with unique comparative business intelligence into the performance of companies, fund managers, and operators. They can gain access to standardized, high quality ESG data and tools to analyze critical aspects of management, policy, implementation and performance of real assets.
Monitor & manage
Using GRESB, investors as well as the companies, fund managers, and operators they invest in, can better manage their assets and portfolios in the face of more volatile energy supply, stricter legislation to combat climate change, increased energy efficiency requirements and changing preferences of corporate users.
Our process
Annual assessments
We conduct annual assessments of real estate portfolios, real estate debt providers and infrastructure funds and assets, capturing critical information regarding ESG performance and sustainability best practices. Our assessments are guided by what investors consider to be key issues in ESG integration in real asset investments. They are aligned with international reporting frameworks, such as GRI and PRI.
We make ESG performance measurable
After a rigorous data quality control process, the data is scored with each company, fund and asset receiving a GRESB Score, which is compared against peers in the region and same property type for real estate, and the same region and sector for infrastructure. In addition, the GRESB Rating provides an overall, high-level metric for investors to evaluate the ESG performance of real asset investments.
Infrastructure
GRESB Infrastructure Assessment: Provides systematic assessment, objective scoring and peer benchmarking of the ESG performance of infrastructure companies, operators and funds. It provides two levels of assessment: funds and assets.
- The Fund Assessment contains ten indicators focused on management and investment processes. These indicators address foundational ESG plans and policies, leadership and accountability, engagement strategies, communications processes and other factors.
- The Asset Assessment is organized around eight core Aspects, addressing asset-level plans and policies, on-the-ground actions and operational performance.
Real Estate
GRESB Real Estate Assessment: Provides the basis for systematic reporting, objective scoring and peer benchmarking of ESG management and performance of property companies and funds around the world.
- The process is unique in the ESG space and leads to deep data insights for investors, property companies and investment managers.
- It also includes a Health & Well-being Module, an optional supplement to evaluate and benchmark action to promote health and well-being in commercial buildings.
GRESB Developer Assessment: Benchmarks the ESG performance of organizations that focus on real estate development activities.
- It evaluates policies, strategies, and measurable actions related to new construction and major renovation projects.
- You can receive a Developer Score for a company or fund, which provides institutional investors with quantitative insight into the ESG performance of their real estate investments.
Real Estate Debt
GRESB Debt Assessment: Specifically tailored to the functions and processes of real estate lenders and debt portfolio owners. Designed to capture sustainability engagement and performance metrics on a worldwide basis.
- It supports reporting by banks, life companies, pension funds and mortgage REITs, in addition to real estate debt funds.
Products and Services
Infrastructure Investors
| Products | |
|---|---|
| GRESB Member Portal | Infrastructure Investor Members can monitor the annual GRESB Infrastructure Assessment results for each of their participating investments (both assets and funds). |
| Benchmark Reports | GRESB Benchmark Reports provide an in-depth analysis of an infrastructure asset of fund’s sustainability performance. The Benchmark Report contains a question-by-question analysis and peer group comparison for each of the sections in the GRESB Assessment. |
| Portfolio Analysis Tool | Using the Portfolio Analysis Tool, investors can select investments to compare results, e.g. for a particular region or a particular sector. They can also perform portfolio analysis for self-selected groups of their investments, including application of weights and customized benchmarks. |
Infrastructure Fund Managers
| Products | |
|---|---|
| GRESB Member Portal | Infrastructure Companies, Operators and Fund Managers Members can monitor the annual GRESB Infrastructure Assessment results for each of their participating entities. Through our Member Portal, you can view and download individual Benchmark Reports for each of their funds and/or assets. |
| Scorecards | Assessment participants receive a Scorecard that provides a summary of the overall performance of their funds or assets, as well as information on each GRESB Indicator for funds and Aspect for assets. |
| Benchmark Reports | GRESB Benchmark Reports provide an in-depth analysis of a participant’s sustainability performance. The Benchmark Report contains a question-by-question analysis and peer group comparison for each of the sections in the GRESB Assessment. |
| Portfolio Analysis | Using the Portfolio Analysis Tool, fund managers can select investments to compare results, e.g. for a particular region or a particular sector. They can also perform portfolio analysis for self-selected groups of their investments, including application of weights and customized benchmarks. |
| Response Checks | Our team will review a participant's response before its submitted, helping minimize errors that could impact Assessment scores. |
Infrastructure Operating Companies
| Products | |
|---|---|
| Scorecards | Assessment participants receive a Scorecard that provides a summary of the overall performance of their assets, as well as information on each GRESB Aspect for the participating assets. |
| Benchmark Reports | GRESB Benchmark Reports provide an in-depth analysis of a participant’s sustainability performance. The Benchmark Report contains a question-by-question analysis and peer group comparison for each of the sections in the GRESB Assessment. |
Real Estate Investors
| Products | |
|---|---|
| GRESB Member Portal | Our data benchmarking framework allows real estate investors to monitor and engage with investment managers and real estate companies on ESG issues and to report to their clients and other stakeholders. Investor members can access GRESB data for all their investment managers or borrowers and, for those that invest in listed real estate securities, all listed real estate companies’ data. Through the GRESB Portal, investors and banks can view and download individual results for Real Estate Assessment participants. |
| Benchmark Reports | The GRESB Benchmark Reports provide an in-depth analysis of the sustainability performance of a property company or fund. |
| Portfolio Analysis | Using the Portfolio Analysis Tool, investors and banks can select participants to compare results, e.g. for a particular investment manager, region or property type. |
| ESG Masterclass | The ESG Masterclass focuses on interpretation of the annual GRESB Real Estate Assessment results and the various reporting and benchmarking tools available to real estate investors, companies and fund managers. The program addresses all material aspects of ESG in real estate investment portfolios as covered by the GRESB Real Estate Assessment. It enables attendees to better understand the benchmark results, how they relate to responsible investment and lending processes, and how to use the results for engagement. The interactive ESG Masterclass also provides case studies from GRESB Investor Members and property companies and funds that participate in the GRESB Real Estate and/or GRESB Debt Assessments. |
Real Estate Companies and Fund Managers
| Products | |
|---|---|
| GRESB Member Portal | Company and Fund Manager Members can monitor the annual GRESB Real Estate Assessment results for each of their participating entities. Through our Member Portal, you can view and download individual Benchmark Reports for each of your portfolios. | Scorecards | Assessment participants receive a Scorecard that provides a summary of their overall performance, as well as information on each GRESB Aspect. |
| Benchmark Reports | The Benchmark Report provides an in-depth analysis of the sustainability performance of a property company or fund. |
| Portfolio Analysis | The Portfolio Analysis Tool allows members to compare their aggregated portfolio to a self-selected benchmark, based on region, property type and management style. |
| Response Checks | Our team will review a participant's response before its submitted, helping minimize errors that could impact Assessment scores. |
| GRESB Participant Training Program | A training program for real estate professionals involved in the various sustainability aspects within the real estate portfolio; the collection and management of related performance data; or completing the GRESB Real Estate Assessment. The program covers the GRESB Assessment and the Assessment submission process. Participants learn how to assess and enhance their current performance, more efficiently prepare their GRESB response, and improve their submission's quality. Training is offered every year, from March to May. |
| Results Review | A high-level analysis of participants' annual results performed by the GRESB team. The Results Review supports participants in identifying strategic short-term and long-term opportunities for sustainability performance improvement, and provides further insight into the GRESB Assessment indicators, methodology and validation outcomes. |
Real Estate Debt Investors/Lenders
| Products | |
|---|---|
| GRESB Member Portal | Our Real Estate Debt benchmarking framework gives investors the tools to monitor and engage with real estate lenders on sustainability issues, and report to their clients and constituents. Investor and Bank Members have access to GRESB data for all their investment managers. Using the GRESB Member Portal, investors can view and download individual benchmark reports for each of their debt fund investments. |
| Green Bond Working Group | Bringing together existing and potential green property bond issuers, underwriters, and investors with committed interest in green bonds related to real estate. Provides input for the next version of the GRESB “Green Bond Guidelines for the Real Estate Sector.” Facilitates information sharing between group members and industry experts and evolve best practices. Catalyzes green property bond transactions. |
| Benchmark Reports | An individual GRESB Benchmark Report provides an in-depth analysis of a participant's sustainability performance. |
| GRESB Investor Training | We offer an investor training program for Investor Members and their investment managers. The reporting tools, scoring methodology, and validation processes outlined in the GRESB Investor Training are similar to those employed in the GRESB Debt Assessment. This program is designed for both real estate equity and debt investors. |
Real Estate Debt Participants
| Products | |
|---|---|
| GRESB Member Portal | Debt Members can monitor the annual GRESB Debt Assessment results for each of their participating entities. Through our Member Portal, you can view and download individual Benchmark Reports for each of your portfolios. |
| Scorecards | Participant's Debt Assessment results are disclosed in a Scorecard that contains an overview of their GRESB Debt performance. |
| Benchmark Report | The Benchmark Report provides an in-depth analysis of the sustainability performance of a debt fund or real estate lender. |
| Green Bond Working Group | Bringing together existing and potential green property bond issuers, underwriters, and investors with committed interest in green bonds related to real estate. Provides input for the next version of the GRESB "Green Bond Guidelines for the Real Estate Sector." Facilitates information sharing between group members and industry experts and evolve best practices. Catalyzes green property bond transactions. |
| Services | We offer one-on-one support, upon request, to address participant issues related to Debt Assessment completion. We offers first-time participants (debt funds and mortgage REITs) the option to participate under a Grace Period allowing them to get familiar with our reporting and assessment process, without disclosing benchmark results to investors/shareholders that are GRESB Members. We also conduct response checks, a high-level check of participant’s response by our GRESB team that takes place prior to submission of a Debt Assessment response. |