GRESB 2025: Key changes and What they mean for you

January 5, 2025 | GRESB has unveiled key updates to the 2025 Real Estate Assessment. Prepare for the evolving standard and stay ahead of the curve. At Cooltree, we’re here to guide you through these updates with tailored strategies and expert insights. Read our full article to learn more.

The GRESB 2025 Real Estate Assessment is introducing groundbreaking updates to refine sustainability metrics and better align the real estate sector with global ESG priorities. These changes aren’t just about meeting compliance requirements—they’re about positioning your assets for long-term success while driving tangible, measurable impact. Here’s a breakdown of what’s changing and how you can stay ahead:

What’s changing in 2025?

1. Energy efficiency: Operationally efficient assets will have a new scoring approach that recognizes their limitations in achieving significant Like-for-Like (LfL) improvements. Assets not meeting operational efficiency criteria will still follow the traditional LfL scoring methodology.

2. Renewable energy Procurement: GRESB will evaluate renewable energy procurement at the asset level, incorporating stricter quality standards aligned with RE100 guidance. Participants must now provide detailed, verifiable data to demonstrate credible sourcing of renewable energy.

3. Embodied carbon: Development projects will face new requirements to report embodied carbon emissions, with additional data submissions needed. Although this metric won’t impact scores immediately, early compliance will help participants anticipate future scoring trends.

4. Biodiversity: GRESB introduces an unscored indicator focusing on biodiversity and nature-related strategies. This is aligned with the Taskforce for Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), ensuring a comprehensive approach to managing nature-related risks and opportunities.

5. Employee safety: Participants will need to report on more safety metrics to earn full points..

6. Fit-Out & Refurbishment programs: GRESB adds a new section to collect ESG-related data on fit-out and refurbishment activities. This will impact scores starting in 2026, offering participants a year to align with the changes.

7. Green lease requirements: A new, unscored section will capture data-sharing and metering clauses in green leases, with scoring impacts beginning in 2026.

8. Residential real estate focus: GRESB introduces a bespoke set of indicators tailored specifically for residential portfolios. These metrics aim to enhance sector-specific assessments, reflecting material ESG issues relevant to residential real estate.

Why it matters

The GRESB 2025 updates mark a shift toward performance-based scoring, with greater emphasis on measurable outcomes, operational efficiency, and data quality. While this evolution creates opportunities, it also presents challenges:

• Increased data requirements demand robust internal processes and systems.

• New indicators, such as embodied carbon and biodiversity, carry future scoring risks if neglected.

• Existing documentation, especially for employee safety, fit-out programs, and green leases, may fall short of updated standards.

Adapting early is critical to staying competitive and avoiding setbacks.

How can you stay ahead?

1. Prepare for new requirements: Focus on renewable energy procurement, embodied carbon tracking, and enhancing data verification processes to meet the new standards.

2. Enhance operational efficiency: Ensure your assets demonstrate strong energy efficiency, which will be heavily rewarded under the updated framework.

3. Align with emerging trends: Collaborate with industry experts to implement strategies that address biodiversity, employee safety, and green lease requirements, ensuring your portfolio is future-ready.

Need help navigating these updates?

At Cooltree we’re here to help you understand and adapt to GRESB’s evolving standards. From expert guidance to tailored ESG strategies and data management solutions, we ensure your portfolio not only meets compliance but exceeds expectations.

Let’s work together to drive meaningful change—for your assets and for the planet. 🌍

Get in touch at info@cooltree.nl

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