GRESB’s road to performance: what real estate investors and managers need to know
GRESB has published the findings from its 2026 Road to Performance consultation, providing the clearest indication yet of how the Real Estate Standard is expected to evolve from 2028 onwards.
The consultation attracted feedback from more than 260 organisations and generated over 6,300 stakeholder inputs across investors, participants, partners and industry bodies. The response was consistent: the market wants GRESB to place greater emphasis on measured environmental performance, while simplifying the assessment and retaining the credibility that investors rely upon.
For many years, GRESB has helped investors and managers assess the quality of ESG management and reporting across real estate portfolios. The proposed direction of travel builds on this foundation by increasing the importance of operational outcomes, particularly energy performance and greenhouse gas emissions.
A stronger focus on measured performance
One of the strongest themes from the consultation was support for a closer connection between GRESB scores and real-world environmental performance. Energy efficiency and carbon emissions are expected to become the first areas where performance carries greater weight within the assessment framework.
This reflects broader market expectations. Investors increasingly want evidence of operational improvement alongside robust sustainability policies and governance structures. GRESB's future methodology is expected to recognise organisations that can demonstrate tangible progress through reliable, asset-level data.
Simplicity and data quality are becoming more important
The consultation also highlighted demand for a more streamlined assessment. Participants supported reducing lower-value indicators and concentrating on metrics that support meaningful decision-making. Alongside this, respondents stressed the importance of high-quality, auditable data and consistent reporting practices.
The organisations likely to be best positioned for future requirements are those with strong data management processes, clear audit trails and a detailed understanding of performance across their portfolios.
What real estate organisations should be doing now
While the final 2028 methodology is not expected until Q4 2026, the consultation provides enough clarity for organisations to begin preparing.
Key areas to focus on include:
- improving the completeness, accuracy and quality of energy and carbon data;
- reviewing portfolio data coverage and identifying material gaps;
- strengthening reporting controls and assurance processes;
- prioritising energy efficiency and emissions reduction initiatives that deliver measurable outcomes; and
- aligning GRESB activities with wider net zero, ESG and asset management objectives.
Organisations that begin this work early will be better placed to adapt to future requirements, maintain strong ratings and demonstrate value to investors.
How BIP.Verco can help
The consultation findings reinforce trends we are already seeing across the market. Clients are increasingly looking to strengthen data quality, improve operational performance and build reporting frameworks that stand up to greater scrutiny.
BIP.Verco supports investors, fund managers and property companies throughout this process.
Our services include:
GRESB strategy, assessment management and improvement programmes - Find out more
Energy and carbon data management, validation and quality assurance
Asset-level energy performance reviews and decarbonisation planning
Net zero strategy development and implementation support
Sustainability reporting and assurance readiness - Find out more
Portfolio-wide data coverage assessments and improvement plans
MyVerco technology solutions for data collection, performance monitoring and reporting - Find out more
Our approach is focused on helping clients build the systems, processes and evidence needed to support long-term performance improvement, rather than preparing for a single reporting cycle. As GRESB continues to increase its focus on measurable outcomes, organisations with strong data foundations and a clear understanding of asset performance are likely to see the greatest benefits.
The direction of travel is now clear. GRESB is placing greater emphasis on evidence of performance, particularly in relation to energy and carbon outcomes. The organisations that prepare early will have more time to improve data quality, strengthen governance arrangements and identify opportunities to enhance performance across their portfolios.
Turning change into competitive advantage
The Road to Performance signals a significant evolution in how sustainability performance will be assessed across the real estate sector. Organisations that act early will be better positioned to maintain strong ratings, improve operational performance and demonstrate value to investors.
BIP.Verco's combination of GRESB expertise, sustainability strategy, carbon management, assurance and technology solutions enables clients to navigate this transition with confidence, transforming compliance requirements into meaningful business and sustainability outcomes. If you’d like to discuss how we can help you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
