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GRESB at the Decade Mark - the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark Serving Investors, Real Estate Asset Owners and Managers, Developers...

A decade ago, two large institutional investors (PGGM Investments and APG Asset Management and Maastricht University (The Netherlands) launched “GRESB” to try to develop more efficient access to comparable and reliable data related to the ESG performance of their investments.  (GRESB=Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark.)  The initial research for the approach was done by Dr. Nils Kok and Sander Paul van Tongeren.

As the 10-year anniversary is observed, consider that GRESB data now covers US$4 trillion in real estate and infrastructure value, and the small group of pioneers (there were 10 founding members) is part of a considerable global network of institutional investors, asset owners/managers, and stakeholders including industry partners, ESG service providers and media platforms.

The GRESB mission is to assess and benchmark the ESG performance of “real assets” (think real estate and infrastructure) and move toward standardization and validation of data for consideration by capital market players. 

Industry players can have business intelligence to compare where they stand against peers and develop action plans to catch up or surpass, along with a reliable means of sharing corporate data for investors. 

To give you an idea of how far GRESB has come, today there are more than 1,000 entities participating in the 2019 real estate assessment and 17 funds and 393 assets participating in the 2019 infrastructure assessment.  GRESB covers 100,000 assets (of which 66,000 are reported at the asset level for the real estate market).

The GRESB survey for asset owners can be challenging, but worth doing.  The annual surveys are organized in (7) specific categories with 50 or more questions for responders’ consideration…the results are scores assigned by GRESB.  A Guidance Document helps responders organize their effort to strive for a higher score (100 is tops; downward scores represent percentages).

GRESB bold name members today include CalPERS, Credit Suisse, BlackRock and Aviva on the investing side; and, CBRE, Brookfield, Centerpoint and Manulife Real Estate on the real estate management roster. (Click here for the Member list)

GRESB is reviewing its 2019 results on a global basis with briefing in world capitals.  For the meeting near to you, check GRESB events.

Governance & Accountability Institute teamed with GRESB management to produce an introductory webinar – “GRESB in 60 Days:  Tech, Tools & Best Practices to Respond…”  Here you can find out why these reports matter, and how to get started on the GRESB journey.  Guest speakers include Matt Ellis, Founder of Measurabl (a G&A partner organization); Mark Delisis, at Avalon Bay Communities; Ulrich Scharf of GRESB; and Hank and Lou from G&A Institute. You can tune in here.

Here is information from Measurabl on GRESB. The G&A Institute team advises and supports several real estate management client organizations.  For more information about our services to the industry, please email info@ga-institute.com.

The Top Story

GRESB Expands Its ESG Coverage of the Real Assets Industry
Source: GRESB – The Benchmark for Real Assets

Sustainability Standards Setters & Policy Makers

Adoption of Zero Emission Vehicle Program Will Drive Colorado’s Transition to a Clean Transportation Future – Source: Ceres

New Ceres Analysis Calls on Power Sector to Decarbonize Before 2050 – Source: Ceres

Think globally, act locally: new guidance for companies on sustainable water use – Source: CDP

Strengthening services for effective ESG reporting – Source: Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)

Important Report for your consideration: Guide To Setting Site Water Targets Informed By Catchment Context – Source: UN Global Compact

As Climate Crisis Looms, Businesses Should Manage Water Challenges Locally – Source: UN Global Compact

PRI Highlights Need For Improved ESG Data - Source: Markets Media -

ESG / Sustainable & Responsible Investment

Can big investors save the world? - Source: BBC

Sustainable Finance Industry Guide - Source: GRESB

Green Packaging Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2019-2024 - Source: Yahoo Finance 

ESG Investing: Is Microsoft a Responsible Investment? - Source: The Motley Fool 

If you’re searching for a feel-good stock, see how Nike scores on The Motley Fool’s ESG framework - Source: The Motley Fool 

Investors Want More Standardized Sustainability Disclosures - Source: Cooley Pub 

Using ESG Ratings to Build a Sustainability Investing Strategy - Source: CPA Journal 

Artificial intelligence promises to enhance sustainable investing  - Source: FT 

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Dramatic Change of Direction For The Business Roundtable With Issuance Of “Purpose Statement” Signed By The CEOs Of America’s Largest Companies

How Do We Get Board Room Attention For Our Corporate Sustainability Efforts? And Help Directors Understand and Support The Corporate Effort?

Upcoming Events

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G&A RESEARCH

FLASH REPORT: 86% of S&P 500 Index® Companies Publish Sustainability / Responsibility Reports in 2018

Sector Study on Sustainability Materiality of the SDG Targets & GRI Indicators

Learn More About G&A Research

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Assistance with engaging important ESG investors to communicate and discuss the companies key sustainability investment story...
More on ESG Investor Engagement

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The G&A team develops timely insights and perspectives on Corporate Sustainability, Responsibility and Citizenship and we share with you on G&A's To The Point! platform – access is complementary with your registration. 

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G&A Institute is the Data Partner for the Global Reporting Initiative's (GRI) In the USA, UK and Republic of Ireland. We identify, receive, collect, analyze, database, and communicate about every report issued in any of the 3 countries. Over the past 6+ years, G&A analyzed 7,000+ sustainability reports in this pro bono role and databased 100+ important data points for each report. Find out more @ G&A's What's A Data Partner

Corporate Sustainability / ESG

• How Aligning Sustainability and Risk Can Overcome Organizational Blind Spots - Source: BSR
• Business climate action for our only future - Source: UNGC
• Collecting and Recycling Electronic Waste to Benefit the Planet - Source:  Hallmark
• The Patagonia Model: CEOs Redefine Shareholder Value - Source:  Forbes
• Condon covers Bayer’s commitments to sustainability - Source: Agri News 
• Sustainability in the Samsung Supply Chain - Source: Samsung Newsroom 
• Lufthansa’s sustainability platform offers carbon offsetting with sustainable aviation fuel  - Source: Bio-Fuels International 
• As brand purpose becomes mainstream, some brands choose to go the other away  - Source: Modern Retail 
• Stonyfield’s Sustainable Land Management Plan Focuses on Soil Health, Sequestering Carbon  - Source: Triple Pundit 
• G7 and fashion houses join forces to make clothes more sustainable  - Source: The Guardian 
• Cisco and Innogy Develop Concept for Climate-Neutral Energy Supply - Source: Cisco Systems
• Integra partners for sustainability strategy  - Source: OPI

Global Sustainability: Continuing Forward Momentum!

• IOC and Dow to Accelerate Olympic Movement's Climate Action - Source: International Olympic Committee (IOC)
• Institutions of Sustainable Learning: Which U.S. Colleges Are Greenest? - Source: EMagazine 
• Start-up cuts carbon footprints, rewards conscious consumption, and ‘gives responsible brands an edge over less sustainable competitors’ - Source: Food Navigator 
• The Change the World Sustainability All Stars - Source: Fortune 
• Three Keys To Designing Sustainable Products For a Better World - Source: Forbes 
• ESG/Sustainability: Getting On the Offense With Competitor Analysis - Source: Pamela J. Styles, Next Level Investor Relations 
• Three key steps towards a more sustainable supply chain - Source: Supply Chain Digital 
• How Portugal Became the Epicenter of Sustainability for the Wine Industry - Source: Fortune 
• Are Law Firms Sustainable? It's The Model That Matters - Source: Forbes 
• Defining a sustainable food system: 'Apathy is not the solution' - Source: Food Navigator 
• Precision engineering and sustainable energy - Source: Design World Online 
• Peak energy, peak oil, and the rise of renewables: An executive’s guide to the global energy system - Source: McKinsey

Sustainability Data That Matters

• Climate Change and Land Report  - Source: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
• Capgemini: Why sustainability reporting matters - Source: CSO Magazine 

The Sustainability Highlights eNewsletter is prepared by Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc. based on continuous monitoring of trends and developments in Sustainability and ESG. Copyrights for other providers are noted where appropriate. Please credit the source if quoted. Content © 2009 - 2019 - All Rights Reserved.

Governance & Accountability Instiute is the "Sustainability Headquarters™" for clients in the corporate, investment, public and social sectors. Based in New York, G&A is a for-profit consulting organization providing a range of value-added strategies, services and resources related to ESG & sustainability to clients in the corporate and capital markets communities. For G&A's full range of services, click on each of the links: Sustainability / ESG Consulting Services, Communications & Recognition Services, Investor Relation Services. For more information, visit www.ga-institute.com or contact us at 646.430.8230 or info@ga-institute.com.