While the real estate industry is grappling with a host of ESG-related challenges, progress is being made in addressing issues such as data collection, analysis, reporting and standardisation.

Availability of data — especially at the asset level — is a key challenge for asset owners and managers. Whilst some data, such as energy consumption, is becoming easier to access, there remains a significant gap when it comes to obtaining information relating to the efficiency and sustainability of individual buildings and its occupants. This data has been hard to obtain for various reasons.

In some cases, asset owners and managers may not have the resources to collect and manage ESG datasets. This is particularly the case for smaller buildings, or projects with limited budgets. A lack of resources makes accurate ESG reporting, and then informed decision making about sustainability, much more difficult.

Similarly, market participants may not have the specialist knowle