Summary
Details
- Global
The GRESB Standards apply to listed property companies, private real estate funds, REITs, and developers, as well as fund and asset managers investing directly in real estate or infrastructure.
Deep dive
📩 Stay ahead of climate regulation and reporting shifts
Regulatory updates, reporting standards, and new climate software — distilled into one concise weekly brief for decision-makers.
Thanks for signing up. Please check your inbox to confirm your subscription.
Practical updates. Once per week.
Background
The GRESB Standards are a set of ESG reporting and benchmarking frameworks designed for the real estate and infrastructure sectors. Developed by GRESB, an investor-led organization, they provide a standardized approach to measuring and comparing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance across real asset portfolios. The standards underpin annual GRESB Assessments, through which participating entities submit ESG data that is validated, scored, and benchmarked against peers. GRESB was created to address the lack of comparability in sustainability data across real estate investments, enabling investors to evaluate ESG risks and opportunities using consistent metrics.
Reporting Requirements
Participation in GRESB is voluntary but follows a structured annual reporting process. Organizations—including property companies, funds, REITs, and infrastructure operators—submit asset- and portfolio-level ESG data through standardized surveys. The reporting typically covers:
Environmental metrics (e.g., energy use, GHG emissions, water, and waste)
Social indicators (e.g., health and safety, tenant engagement, workforce policies)
Governance aspects (e.g., sustainability strategy, risk management, oversight)
Data is collected annually (typically between April and July), undergoes multi-layer validation, and is used to generate scores, ratings, and benchmark reports. The standards are aligned with other ESG frameworks and can support reporting under regimes such as TCFD and other EU regulations.
Current Status
The GRESB Standards are widely recognized as a global benchmark for ESG performance in real estate and infrastructure. Participation has grown significantly, with over 2,200 real estate entities representing trillions of dollars in assets. The standards are updated annually to reflect evolving investor expectations, regulatory developments, and material ESG issues. The 2026 GRESB updates increase focus on performance-based metrics, particularly around embodied carbon, net zero target credibility, and climate risk, while introducing technical refinements, adjusting indicator weightings, and simplifying some reporting requirements.
Resources
Cut through the green tape
We don't push agendas. At Net Zero Compare, we cut through the hype and fear to deliver the straightforward facts you need for making informed decisions on green products and services. Whether motivated by compliance, customer demands, or a real passion for the environment, you’re welcome here. We provide reliable information. Why you seek it is not our concern.