— THE GRESB INFRASTRUCTURE ASSET ASSESSMENT —

The Investor-driven Global ESG Benchmark for the Infrastructure Sector

The Infrastructure Asset Assessment assesses ESG performance at the asset level for infrastructure asset operators, fund managers and investors that invest directly in infrastructure.

The Assessment offers high-quality ESG data and advanced analytical tools to benchmark ESG performance, identify areas for improvement and engage with investors.

What is the GRESB Infrastructure Asset Assessment?
Benefits of Participating
GRESB Infrastructure Investor Members
Assessment Process
Assessment Results
Powerful Analytical Tools and Services
Levels of Participation
Frequently Asked Questions

What is the GRESB Infrastructure Asset Assessment?

The GRESB Infrastructure Asset Assessment provides the basis for systematic reporting, objective scoring and peer benchmarking of ESG management and performance of infrastructure assets around the world. Both single and multi-asset operators can participate and the process leads to deep data insights for investors, fund managers and asset operators.

Management

Policy & Disclosure

Risks & Opportunities

Monitoring & EMS

Stakeholder Engagement

Performance Indicators

Certifications & Awards

The Asset Assessment is organized around 7 core aspects, as set out above. These aspects are broken down into indicators addressing asset-level plans and policies, implementation actions and operational performance.

The Assessment provides the information needed to assess efforts to maximize beneficial outputs, such as energy production, mobility, or access to clean water, while minimizing social and environmental impacts.

The data are subjected to a multi-layer validation process and the result is high-quality data that investors and participants can use in their investment and decision-making processes.

Based on the Assessment, GRESB provides an overall GRESB Score for each participant as well as peer group comparisons that take into account country, regional, sectoral and investment type variations.

Download 2018 Infrastructure Asset Assessment
Download 2018 Infrastructure Asset Assessment Reference Guide

What sectors does GRESB Infrastructure cover?

The GRESB Infrastructure Asset Assessment is designed to assess ESG performance across a wide range of sectors. It applies sector-based materiality weightings to tailor the assessment to different infrastructure sectors, including:

Energy Generation (incl. renewables)

Energy Transmission to Storage

Water Resource Management

Transportation

Social Infrastructure

Telecomm.

Waste Treatment & Disposal

Benefits of Participating

	Improved ability to manage your infrastructure assets in the face of sustainability risks.		Insight into how to best capitalize on sustainability-related opportunities such as lowering operating costs and meeting regulatory requirements.
	Clearer picture of your ESG performance and how it compares against your peers.		Better understanding of the actions you can take to improve your ESG performance in the most efficient way.
	Greater knowledge of investor needs and perspectives to enrich your investor engagement.		Improved opportunity to attract new investors, including long term investors and investors seeking more comprehensive risk and opportunity analysis.
	Reduced time and effort needed to respond to ad-hoc requests relating to sustainability issues.		Ability to report validated ESG performance information to the market using a global industry standard.
	More consistent messaging about your sustainability performance to your stakeholders.		Recognition that you have taken a significant step towards leadership on ESG issues.

GRESB Infrastructure Investor Members

The Assessment provides a communication platform to improve engagement with investors and enables participants to report validated ESG performance information in a format and language that serves their needs.

View all GRESB Investor Members

Assessment Process

The Assessment follows a regular annual timeline, with the Portal opening on April 1 each year. Participants complete the Assessment by reporting through the Portal. Prior to finalizing their submission, participants are given the opportunity to request a Response Check to minimize the risk of errors.

The submission deadline is July 1, which provides participants with a three-month window to complete the Assessment. Once all Assessments have been submitted and the Portal has closed, GRESB begins the process of validating, scoring and benchmarking the submitted data:

SYSTEMATIC ASSESSMENT

1. Validation

GRESB has established a robust data validation process to underpin the accuracy and reliability of its output. It is based on a three-layer data quality control process designed to ensure submission of high quality information. The approach to validation was developed by PwC and involves third party verification by GBCI.

2. Objective Scoring

The GRESB Scoring Model is based on an automated system, which uses a technology platform designed for GRESB by a third party that specializes in data analysis software development. The scoring is completed without manual intervention after data input.

3. Peer Benchmarking

Peer comparisons that take into account country, regional, sectoral and investment type variations provide a powerful lens through which to benchmark performance. Each participant is assigned to a peer group, based on the entity’s legal structure (listed/private), sector and geographical location of assets.

Assessment Results

The Assessment Results are launched in September each year.

All participants receive a Scorecard with a summary of their sustainability performance. GRESB Members have access to additional analytical tools and services that provide a more in-depth analysis of performance as well as preferential marketing, industry recognition and networking opportunities.

First-time participants can choose to not have their GRESB results disclosed to their investors. This is referred to as a “Grace Period”.

Download: How to read your Scorecard
Download: 2018 Infrastructure Public Results

Powerful Analytical Tools and Services

GRESB analytical tools and services allow you to measure, benchmark and improve your ESG performance, engage with GRESB Investor Members and gain recognition from your stakeholders.

GRESB Scorecard

Provides you with an individual GRESB score, a breakdown of your ESG performance and an analysis of how your performance compares to your peers.

Benchmark Report

Gives an in-depth analysis of your sustainability performance and a detailed indicator-level comparison with peers. The report allows you to compare your performance to your peer group, identify issues and opportunities, and to make business decisions. Learn more.

Third-party Validation

A three-layer, end-to-end validation process provides an important element of quality control and underpins the accuracy and reliability of the results. Learn more.

Customized Benchmark Report

Provides advanced analytics through alternative performance comparisons and rankings based on a self-selected peer group. Learn more.

Portfolio Analysis Tool

Allows you to compare your aggregated portfolio to a self-selected benchmark, based on region, sector and structure. This online tool provides added value for fund managers that participate with several entities by comparing the relative performance of each fund. Learn more.

Response Check

A high-level check of a pending response to ensure that you minimize errors that could impact your Assessment results. Learn more.

Results Review

Provides an in-depth understanding of the validation, scoring, and analysis process leading to the allocation of points for individual indicators, determining the results as presented in the Benchmark Report. Learn more.

GRESB Helpdesk

Dedicated to helping you complete your Assessment smoothly and efficiently. The GRESB team is on hand to answer any questions you may have about completing the Assessment.

Guidance Materials

The “Guidance” tab in the Assessment Portal provides you with clear blueprints for completing the Assessments and improving performance in the future. This guidance is also provided in the Assessment Reference Guide, available as a downloadable PDF.

Streamlined Reporting Tools

Allow more streamlined reporting by pre-filling information already provided in previous years, real-time error detections and the document library.

Template Tool

The template tool enables responses to be copied across multiple submissions.

Assessment Training

Addresses the fundamental ‘how to’ and ‘what’ of the GRESB Infrastructure Assessment. The session also presents the Assessment’s scope, processes and scoring components.

Data Insights Training

Focuses on the interpretation of the annual Assessment results and the reporting and benchmarking tools available to Infrastructure investors, companies and fund managers.

GRESB Advisory Bodies

Opportunity to sit on Advisory Boards and join Industry Working Groups to inform the future content of GRESB Assessments.

Member Directory

Recognition in the Member Directory, in the GRESB Portal and in GRESB’s guidance materials. Participants can also use the GRESB logo in outreach efforts.

GRESB Events

Eligibility to attend and speak at GRESB events for networking, relationship building and marketing opportunities.

GRESB Insights

Opportunity to contribute articles and case studies to GRESB Insights to share sustainability best practices and leadership with the industry.

Levels of Participation

You can choose to submit the Assessment as a non-member or submit the Assessment as a GRESB Member. GRESB Members have access to additional analytical tools in the Member Portal, a free Response Check, as well as preferential marketing, industry recognition, and networking opportunities. Membership benefits apply to all reporting entities.

BENEFITS	NON-MEMBER	GRESB MEMBER
GRESB Scorecard
Benchmark Report	EUR 3,500
Third-party Validation
Customized Benchmark Report	EUR 1,750 (only available in combination with Benchmark Report)	EUR 1,250
Portfolio Analysis Tool
Response Check	EUR 1,750	Free of charge for one entity. Additional available EUR 1,250
Results Review	EUR 1,750 (only available in combination with Benchmark Report)	Discounted at EUR 1,250
GRESB Helpdesk
Guidance Materials
Streamlined Reporting Tools
Template Tools
Assessment Training	EUR 450	Free of charge for one attendee
Data Insights Training	EUR 550	Free of charge for one attendee
GRESB Advisory Bodies		Eligible to participate
Member Directory
GRESB Events		Preferential attendance and eligibility to speak
GRESB Insights		Opportunity to contribute articles and case studies
	Participation Fee: Free	Annual Fee: Starting at EUR 4,000 (USD 4,700) View the GRESB Member fee schedule

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be a GRESB Member to submit an assessment?

What type of organizations should complete the GRESB Infrastructure Asset Assessment?

There are multiple ways to participate in the GRESB Infrastructure Asset Assessment. Both single and multi-asset operators can participate. Possibilities for participation are explained in the following sections below. Note that these are only illustrative and other scenarios are possible. Participants with questions about specific circumstances are encouraged to contact info@gresb.com for guidance.

Single-asset operators
Single-asset operators may have one or multiple infrastructure-related business activities. These entities may be large and complex, or small and narrowly focused. The approximate fraction of each business activity should be expressed in the Entity & Reporting Characteristics section of the Asset Assessment. Single-asset operators that are subject to the same management and can aggregate performance data may report as one entity in the Asset Assessment.

Note that entities that have 75% or more allocation to a business activity will be allocated to this business activity’s applicable peer group. Examples of single-asset operators include:
• A provider of water and wastewater services
• An airport
• A telecommunications company

Multi-asset operators
In some cases one entity may operate multiple assets or projects, GRESB considers this to be a multi-asset operator. A multi-asset operator has the option to report on its operations as a group using a single Asset Assessment. Alternatively, the operator may complete an Asset Assessment on behalf of each asset or project. Examples of multi-asset operators include:
• An entity that operates several toll roads that lack local ESG management
• An entity that owns a portfolio of small wind farms
• An entity that operates a collection of distributed solar projects

Multi-asset operators that participate as one entity should have centralized management and can aggregate performance data. Note that when assets are combined into the same Asset Assessment, the entity should have an allocation of 75% or more allocation to a business activity to be assigned to this business activity’s applicable peer group.

Who will see the data that's submitted?

Data is submitted to GRESB through a secure online platform and can only be seen by current GRESB Staff or authorized personnel from GRESB’s parent company, i.e. GBCI, Inc. (“GBCI”). GRESB benchmark scores are not made public. The only entities that may access a participant’s benchmark results are:

Participant’s own organization;
GRESB Investor Members that are investors in a participant’s fund/organization.

No other third parties will see these results. GRESB Investor Members must request access to a participant’s benchmark results, allowing the participant the control to either accept or deny this request.

First-time participants in the GRESB Assessments are eligible to request to participate on a confidential basis in the first year.

What's a Grace Period?

GRESB offers participants reporting for the first time the option to not disclose their first year assessment results to their investors. This Grace Period allows participants a one year period to familiarize themselves with the GRESB reporting and Assessment process without externally disclosing their results to GRESB Investor Members.

While Grace Period participant names are disclosed to GRESB Investor Members, Investor Members are not able to request access to Grace Period participant results.

Grace Period participants can use the Scorecard and Benchmark Report to identify opportunities to improve their performance for next year’s Assessment. To participate, select the Grace Period option when registering for the Assessment.

What support does GRESB provide to help me complete my Assessment?

Our goal is to ensure you have a smooth submission process. The Portal provides a Guidance tab for each indicator in the Assessment outlining the information to provide, we run Assessment Training sessions at locations around the world, and the GRESB Helpdesk is here to answer your questions.

In addition, you’ll find the following tools and functionality in the GRESB Assessment Portal to help you with an efficient and accurate submission:

The pre-filling function adds the information you have already provided in previous years.
The document section provides an overview of documents you have submitted as evidence.
The Portal allows you to upload multiple documents as evidence per indicator, eliminating the need to merge different documentation into one file.
You can manage access rights, adding users with different levels of access.
We have implemented real-time error detection systems and warnings.
Automated data uploads are available through API connections. View GRESB Data Partners who can assist with data automation.
The Template Tool enables you to copy information across multiple submissions (available for GRESB Members only).

GRESB works with a select group of Partners who can help you with your Assessment submission. To learn more about the services offered by GRESB Partners, take a look at our Partner Directory.