— 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?
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.
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.
Infrastructure Asset Assessment Components
The Assessment into separate Management and Performance Components.
The Management Component measures the entity’s strategy and leadership management, policies and processes, risk management and stakeholder engagement approach, comprising of information collected at the organizational level.
The Performance Component measures the entity’s performance, comprising of information collected at the asset level. It is suitable for any infrastructure company with operational assets.
The Management Component is suitable for any type of infrastructure company, asset and investment strategy. It is validated, scored and peer-benchmarked using the globally recognized GRESB methodology, and can be completed individually or in combination with the Performance Component.
Each Component determines an individual score, but only entities that submit both Components will receive a GRESB Score and GRESB Rating.
The Management Component is structured into 5 aspects:
- Leadership
- Policies
- Reporting
- Risk Management
- Stakeholder Engagement
The Performance Component is structured into 12 aspects:
- Implementation
- Output & Impact
- Health & Safety
- Energy
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- Air Pollution
- Water
- Waste
- Biodiversity & Habitat
- Employees
- Customers
- Certifications & Awards
Assessment Resources
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:
Data Infrastructure
Energy & Water Resources
Environmental Services
Network Utilities
Power Generation (excl. Renewables)
Renewable Power
Social Infrastructure
Transport
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
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. |
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
All participants receive a Scorecard with a summary of their sustainability performance. GRESB Members have access to the Benchmark Report and Portfolio Analysis Tool that provide a more in-depth analysis of performance.
First year participants can submit the Assessment without providing GRESB Investor Members and Fund Manager Members with the ability to request access to their results. This is referred to as a “Grace Period”.
Participate in the Assessment
We recognize all participants completing the Assessments as GRESB Participant Members. This underlines the contribution that participants make to our collective vision of sustainable real assets and the collaborative effort that underpins our work.
Managers who participated in the 2019 Assessment
If you participated in the 2019 GRESB Assessment we recognize you as a GRESB Participant Member.
Take advantage of lower fees for multiple participating entities by paying annually for your membership, before the Portal opens on April 1, 2020. See 2020 Annual Fee Schedule.
You can also pay at the time of submission but will not benefit from the lower multiple-entity pricing that applies to the annual invoice option.
For the 2020 Assessment, the Response Check, Customized Benchmark Reports, training seats, and other products and services) are no longer bundled with the participation package. This means you can choose only those products and services you are interested in. See fees for products and services.
New participants
GRESB Participant Membership is open for fund managers, companies and asset operators participating in the GRESB Assessments.
As a GRESB Participant Member, you’ll have access to high-quality ESG data and powerful analytical tools to benchmark your ESG performance, identify areas for improvement and engage with investors.
You’ll also have the opportunity to sit on Advisory Boards, regional Benchmark Committees (where applicable) and to join Industry Working Groups to inform the future content of the GRESB Assessments.