Real estate sector continues to lead on sustainability: GRESB

This year’s Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) reveals that sustainability reporting has improved in coverage and quality of data, with the average overall score increasing due to increasing implementation and measurement.

The average score is now 47 (out of 100) which is up nine points this year. The benchmark collects data from 637 listed property companies and private equity real estate funds, covering 56,000 buildings with an aggregate value of $2.1 trillion.

GRESB found that collectively, in 2013, the commercial real estate sector reduced its energy consumption by about 0.8 per cent, carbon emissions fell by 0.3 per cent, and water consumption fell by 2.3 per cent.

Sustainability is assessed annually by GRESB with a focus on: executive decisions, plans and policies; performance measurement; and stakeholder engagement.

The data provided by GRESB allows pension funds and other institutional investors to incorporate responsible investment principles into their decision-making. It is a source of portfolio-level sustainability data for the real estate industry, with  more than 40 institutional investors, representing $5.5 trillion in assets under management, using it for timely, actionable information about the sustainability performance of property portfolios.

Five years after the launch of the benchmark in 2009, GRESB participation has become standard practice for many of the world’s fund managers and listed property companies. There has been a more than 220 percent increase in response rate since 2009.

Sponsored Content

To view the results click here

 

Leave a Comment

Sort content by

CalPERS examines adopting SDGs

The $357 billion pension plan will examine aligning its portfolio with the UN’s SDGs, which would give the fund’s ESG engagement a more keen focus on social objectives such as ending poverty.

QSuper chair Karl Morris opens up

In this Q&A, the chairman of Queensland’s $72 billion superannuation fund reflects on going public offer, launching an insurance arm, and the much-debated representative trustee board model.

Investors face unprecedented change

AustralianSuper CIO Mark Delaney and CFSGAM’s Mark Lazberger told the CFA Australian Investment Conference that everything from technology to diversity was evolving to reshape the profession.

Most popular stories of 2017

This year, as you might expect, our readers placed six investor profiles among our top 10 most read stories. See what other types of stories topped the list and find out what was No. 1.

Investors launch Climate Action 100+

Hundreds of global investors, including CalPERS and the Swedish buffer funds, have come together to pursue low-carbon goals by working actively with big companies and publicising their progress.

Inside Canada’s exemplary pensions

A report by the World Bank showcases the features of the Canadian model that have made it the poster-child of good pension design.

Previous