2024 Infrastructure Assessment Results

Following this year’s assessments, the Benchmark now covers USD 468 billion in GAV at the fund level and USD 1.6 trillion at the asset level. Scores increased by approximately 3.6%, and we also launched a new Infrastructure Development Asset Assessment. While these are encouraging, we must still question where the relevant opportunities lie for new avenues of growth, as well as whether current resources are addressing the most critical sustainability imperatives of our shared climate goals.

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EMEA has demonstrated steady growth, with a 123% increase of the number of facilities in Austria, a 45% increase in Italy (110 to 159 facilities), and globally we have seen the addition of three new markets, including Albania, Anguilla, and Antigua & Barbuda.

• The Infrastructure Development Asset Assessment now has 70 facilities across 24 markets, 30% of which are in the UK, and 14.29% in Chile.
• 90% of Infrastructure Asset Assessment participants reported 100% data coverage for both Scope 1 and 2 emissions.
• Elsewhere in the Americas, Peru also experienced significant growth, with a 100% increase (5 to 10 facilities).
• The 2024 GRESB Infrastructure Assessments now cover 36 sectors, 3,145 facilities – showing a 10.31% increase from 2023 – and more than 700 individual assets across 81 markets.

GRESB Scores help investors and stakeholders assess the performance and risk of assets within a fund or company. The graph below shows management scores (Y-axis) versus implementation performance (X-axis), with top performers in the upper right quadrant. Over time, this quadrant has become more densely populated, indicating a positive shift in management and performance among infrastructure asset companies and funds, signifying measurable progress in the industry.

As the clustering to the top-right of the graph continues to increase, it also creates the challenge of finding further opportunities for growth in sustainability practices, and an ongoing reappraisal of priorities to address the most effective avenues for that growth. To highlight the achievements of market leaders in this respect, GRESB publishes manager case studies, which provide scenario-led examples of specific challenges and the ways in which GRESB participation helped to address them.

Independent studies have demonstrated that companies and funds with high GRESB scores outperform their counterparts as investments, which both GRESB participation and performance being significant predictors of fund returns. The graphic below shows average GRESB score by starting year of assessment participants.

During the early years of GRESB, emphasis was placed on enhancing data coverage, ensuring participants could collect and disclose a growing portion of their ESG data consistently. Presently, the focus has shifted towards enhancing performance by boosting energy efficiency and reducing overall emissions. The objective is to recognize achievements that drive substantial, enduring transformations within the infrastructure sector.

GRESB Infrastructure Members are further enhancing their data coverage, with an increasing number of participants now reporting on key metrics such as Air Pollution, Biodiversity & Habitat, Waste, and Employee engagement.

Recent changes made to the 2024 GRESB Standards have further enabled us to monitor net-zero progress and policies.

The insights outlined below are a reflection of the overall infrastructure assessments, encompassing a combination of the Infrastructure Fund, Infrastructure Asset, and Infrastructure Development Asset Assessments.*

• In 2024 the Infrastructure Assessments reveal that 64.71% of entities have set a net-zero target, an increase from 59.72% in 2023 Additionally, 53.1% have made a commitment to achieving net zero, up from 46.68% in the previous year.*
• Furthermore, 76.89% of organizations have implemented a net-zero policy, compared to 62.05% in 2023.*

The GRESB Rating is determined by the GRESB Score and its position within the quintiles of all participants in the GRESB Assessment, with the model being calibrated annually. Entities in the top quintile receive a GRESB 5 Star rating, while those in the bottom quintile receive a GRESB 1 Star rating, and so on.

Because the GRESB Rating is calculated in comparison to the global performance of reporting entities, it provides a clear indication of your standing on a global scale. GRESB 5 Stars represents the highest rating, acknowledging you as an industry leader. Each year, 20% of entities achieve a GRESB 5 Star rating. You can use the GRESB Rating Logo in your communications.

• Infrastructure Sector Leaders

More coming soon

More comprehensive findings and analyses will be released in the coming weeks, providing an even clearer picture of the sector’s progress and challenges. For media looking for additional data, please reach out to us.