GRESB 2025 reporting window opens on April 1

As the official GRESB reporting window opens on April 1, companies must prepare to respond effectively to this industry-led organization's environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. Navigating these standards can be complex for investors and asset managers. With the financial markets increasingly emphasizing sustainable practices, organizations need reliable data to make informed decisions. This is where GRESB comes into play.

What is GRESB?

GRESB is a mission-driven, industry-led organization that provides actionable and transparent ESG data to the real estate and infrastructure sectors. GRESB administers the global GRESB Assessment each year, which collects, validates, scores, and independently benchmarks ESG data to provide business intelligence and engagement tools for investors, asset managers, and the wider industry.

Why participate in GRESB?

In 2024, over 2,200 real estate companies, fund managers, and asset operators worldwide, representing over $7 trillion in assets under management in the real estate sector, participated in GRESB. With Europe leading the way with nearly half of all participants and the Americas following, recent years have shown steady growth in Asia and Oceania. Its large-scale adoption can be attributed to providing participants with a clear engagement tool for investors, enabling them to compare and benchmark performance against peers and receive industry recognition, creating a framework for data collection, and supporting alignment with additional ESG reporting programs.

What’s new in the 2025 GRESB Real Estate Assessment?

Ahead of the official reporting window, we’ve summarised the most significant changes you should be aware of.

• A new alternative scoring pathway for energy performance has been developed for highly energy-efficient assets. Assets with ≥75% data coverage, < 20% vacancy, 12 months of data, and below the EUI threshold as defined by ASHRAE Standard 100:2024, may be eligible.
• Enhanced disclosure requirements for climate risk identification and impacts. Processes and assessment outcomes must reflect the submitting entity’s climate risks, which now have time-bound requirements.
• Expanded coverage on emerging embodied carbon topics. Includes embodied carbon practices in acquisitions, tenant engagement, and development and construction activities. 
• A new indicator on biodiversity strategy that identifies how an entity considers biodiversity-related dependencies, impacts, risks, and opportunities in the business strategy. 
• And a GRESB first: a new sector-specific residential supplement. Entities with a residential GAV >75% of the total entity will respond to new, supplemental residential-specific indicators and receive the standalone Residential Benchmark Report alongside the standard Real Estate Benchmark Report.

How we can help 

Whether this is your first year submitting to GRESB or you’re a seasoned pro, Sodali & Co’s global sustainability team and GRESB experts can support you at any stage with a full suite of GRESB-related services.