What's new for GRESB reporting in 2026? Here's what you should do differently
The threshold for GRESB stars increased in 2025, and with the latest round of updates it’s clear more changes are on the way. As we look towards the next round of submissions in April 2026, our GRESB dream team is on hand with expert advice on what to expect and how to prepare.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing top tips and advice on:
- what’s new for GRESB reporting;
- how to improve your GRESB star rating; and
- how to get more value out of your GRESB stars.
As a GRESB Premier Partner and long-term GRESB advisor to many businesses, Verco is well placed to share expert insight on this topic. Our clients regularly achieve 4 or 5 stars in their GRESB submissions. The average GRESB score is 79, but in 2025 the funds supported by Verco achieved an average of 84 points when weighted by GAV. That's five points over the average – a score to be proud of!
Find out how we can help with your score
Read on to discover what’s coming up in 2026, then keep an eye on our website for the next articles in the series.
Learn what’s new, address the challenges and improve your rating
Consultant Saif Ahmed told us that ultimately, the GRESB real estate standards are member driven, so their evolution should reflect the latest global ESG trends, regulations, and stakeholder expectations. Keeping up to date with upcoming GRESB changes can feel like a never-ending challenge but they help you prioritise your efforts and ensure your sustainability strategy is aligned with investor priorities and market best practices.
Based on current information from GRESB (which may be subject to further adjustments), here’s a quick summary of a few of the latest changes:
Management
Your climate risk management plan will need a systematic process.
This year, GRESB updated the risk evidence requirements under RM6.1-6.4. Next year the score for this section will increase from 1 to 2. So, to achieve the highest possible score in 2026, you’ll need to demonstrate a systematic process as part of your climate risk management plan, rather than individual pieces of evidence. Now is the time to refine that process, so you can make the most of the points increase!
The monitoring of human capital metrics (SE5) is being seen as more relevant.
The score will increase from 0.5 to 1.5, giving it a greater impact on your overall score and star rating. This is also an evidence-based indicator, so make sure you’re monitoring human capital metrics (e.g. gender pay gap, diversity) and can prove this with evidence.
Performance
The total number of GRESB points will stay the same, but there are changes to where they are being allocated.
Make sure you stay aware of point allocation, as it helps you keep track of what the market is prioritising, as well as ensure you’re focusing your efforts in the right places to score as highly as possible. For example, in 2026 there will be major score decreases from 6 to 3 in two sections; technical building assessments and efficiency measures (RA2-RA5). This, along with previous year-on-year changes to the ASHRAE thresholds, implies that greater value is being placed on actual performance than assessments. On the flip side, Tenant Fit-Out & Refurbishment Program and ESG Lease Requirements (TC3-TC4) will see an increase in score from 3 to 5 with option refinements. This increase reflects what GRESB, best practice and the market in general deem to best show sustainability credentials.
New sections will be scored this year.
For example, in 2025, a new section under TC4 called ‘Data Sharing and Metering’ was introduced (but not scored). This will be scored from 2026. To achieve maximum points, you will need to align with these options, so it's worth reviewing your lease contract requirements.
Development
The previously unscored Materials section (DMA2) will now be worth up to 5 points.
Upfront carbon measurement, transparency and public disclosure are being prioritised, so to achieve the maximum score you will need to upload evidence that you publicly disclose embodied carbon emissions. Now is the time to review your existing processes and make sure you have an internal process in place for updating public material. In balance to this increased score, ESG Requirements (DRE2-DRE3) and Stakeholder Engagement (DSE2.1, DSE3.1) have decreased from 8 to 5 and from 3.5 to 1.5 respectively, so it’s worth adjusting your focus accordingly, so you don’t spend too much time on lower-scoring areas.
Consultant James Bennion reminds us that “the changes and smaller nuances of GRESB, for both first timers or those who have been used to consistency in certain GRESB indicators, can be daunting. Our experts can help take the pressure off your team, remove the concern over niggling questions and provide a level of training on GRESB requirements that you can use to change your own processes as needed. We’re a GRESB Premier Partner and many of our team – like myself – are GRESB accredited. We have supported our clients with their GRESB submissions for over ten years and have been through it all, so do reach out to Verco if you have any questions about these or any of the other GRESB changes.'
How we ensure our clients keep in step with the changes
As part of Verco's GRESB service, we assess where you currently are against these changes and more, taking the pressure off you and your team. Our GRESB Impact Analysis Report details precisely how recent changes affect you, pinpointing risks and giving you a clear set of actions, listed and prioritised by the impact they’ll have on your score. This is just one of the various ways we can help you close the gap on scoring and achieve the coveted GRESB stars your investors want.
Consultant Ellie Bartlett explains: “Much like the ESG reporting landscape, GRESB is dynamic and clients must constantly reflect and improve to remain competitive amongst their peers. With Verco, the complexity of the GRESB submission is made manageable; clients are relieved of the admin burden of managing the submission, their credibility is boosted with our third-party review, and our expert guidance focuses on actions needed to improve. Working with experts maximises the benchmark report insights and allows clients to return to the essence of GRESB, improving their sustainability and accelerating towards net zero.”
As a GRESB Premier Partner, we always stay up to date and provide feedback that helps guide GRESB’s decisions. More updates will be coming in the new year, so please get in touch if you would like our support with keeping informed.