Three tips to improve your GRESB score

The start of September is always an exciting time for property fund managers, as the eagerly anticipated Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmarking (GRESB) scores are released. These results, and the detailed benchmarking report behind them, provide a snapshot of how asset owners and managers are performing in terms of Environmental Social Governance (ESG) management across their organisation and the performance of their individual assets. 

September is also an opportune time for GRESB reporters to consider what they can improve to ensure they continue strengthening their ESG performance and maintain a strong position in the following year’s GRESB benchmark, with scoring adjusted each year to ’raise the bar’ of ESG performance. But where should you start? Here are three key tips to help you turn the valuable insights from your GRESB reporting into improved performance in the years to come.

1. Dig deep into your GRESB Benchmarking Report

While it’s easy to focus on the high-level score and rankings, the spider graph is a great way to quickly identify strengths and opportunities for improvement. From there, explore the key aspects in greater detail to understand where exactly you fell short and how well your peers are performing in comparison. For new participants, the management component often offers many areas to gain points, in leadership, policies, stakeholder engagement, risk management and reporting. For seasoned participants, the significant opportunities are usually in the performance component where 60 from 100 points are up for grabs. Further digging into the asset-by-asset reporting, using the GRESB analytics feature, helps uncover which specific assets performed more poorly than others and why. Be aware, those new indicators which were not scored in the current reporting cycle are likely to be scored in the following ones, which may see scores slip if no action is taken. 

2. Make a plan with identified opportunities

Once you understand where the gains can be made, it’s time to understand what is required to achieve them. While there are often opportunities to make minor improvements in the GRESB score relatively easily, many of the significant improvement opportunities are more challenging and may involve engaging with stakeholders, like your facilities management team, to discuss data gaps and asset improvement ideas. Others, which can help unlock almost a quarter of the total 100 points (8.5 for green building certification, 2 for energy certification and 14 for energy), require careful consideration at a portfolio level. Remember to consider your reporting period and particular indicator requirements too, timing the implementation of any quick wins so they can count towards the next cycle, while planning in other improvements that require longer lead times so you can keep improving beyond the following year.

3. Get buy-in to implement improvements before the next GRESB cycle

Now you have the plan, it’s time to sell it to the business. Remind decision makers that GRESB scoring becomes more challenging each year, meaning that if improvements aren’t made scores are likely to slip. Package your recommendations not just in terms of the GRESB points that will be gained, but in terms of the broader business benefits. For example in Australia, improving your NABERS energy ratings on assets or installing PV modules, will not only improve your GRESB score but significantly reduce electricity costs, providing strong paybacks that can save your business big money over time. Demonstrate which opportunities can and should be implemented prior to the next reporting cycle, while flagging other recommendations to progress which will deliver benefits in later reporting cycles, to ensure ongoing leadership support

Whether you are new to GRESB or a seasoned reporter seeking assistance, we’re here to help. Currently, we are offering complimentary sessions to review your GRESB results, share GRESB insights for the upcoming cycle and discuss how we can support your GRESB success in 2026 and beyond. If you would like to learn more, please reach out to myself or one of our ESG specialists.