When it comes to ESG, show don’t tell

There is a focused need to have measurable environmental, social and governance (ESG) data to show progress. Carbon emissions, energy and water consumption and efficiency, and production and diversion of waste are all being benchmarked, which is a way to learn about best practices and create accountability.

And while the ESG market does lack data and performance indices for future ESG investors and managers, it is increasingly possible — and important — for industry participants to take an active role in providing data. A strong ESG program can be built on data by participating in data collecting.

In 2021, data on 1,520 real estate portfolios covering 117,000 assets were reported to GRESB. The data is used by more than 140 institutional and financial investors to monitor investments across portfolios and navigate the strategic choices needed for the industry to transition to a more sustainable future.

“We’re trying to enrich the way in which we can measu