Sponda shares number one position as the most sustainable real estate company globally within its peer group in the GRESB Real Estate Assessment 2023

GRESB, which assesses environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices and data of real estate companies and funds, is the leading ESG benchmark for real estate and infrastructure investments worldwide. For the eleventh consecutive year in the GRESB assessment, Sponda has maintained its strong position at the forefront of the most sustainable companies in the global real estate industry.

GRESB sector leaders are the best performers by sector and region from across the GRESB assessment. Sponda was recognised as a sector leader in four categories in its peer group (Diversified – Office/Retail) in the Standing Investments benchmark, which evaluates and compares the companies’ existing property portfolio, and (Diversified) in the Development Benchmark, which measures the ESG performance of a company’s real estate development projects. The categories are:

• Global Sector Leader
• Global Non-listed Sector Leader
• Regional Sector Leader Europe
• Regional Non-listed Sector Leader Europe.

“GRESB Sector Leaders embody the industry’s champions, leading the charge towards a net-zero future and propelling the sector forward. We wholeheartedly commend this year’s Sector Leaders for their dedication, leadership and commitment to ESG principles and sustainability”, says Sebastien Roussotte, CEO of GRESB.

”We are very proud of our achievements as a global ESG forerunner for the eleventh consecutive GRESB assessment. In today's business landscape, sustainability is of paramount business importance, and organisations are actively seeking properties that demonstrate strong sustainability credentials. The built environment causes one third of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide[1], and as a sustainable real estate owner we have the opportunity to influence this development with our work. There's still work to be done, but we embrace the challenge”, says Sponda’s CEO Christian Hohenthal.

In the Standing Investments benchmark Sponda achieved 94 points, including the highest score possible in eight sections: data monitoring and review, sustainability leadership, tenant and community engagement, policies, reporting, risk management, stakeholder engagement and target setting. Sponda’s full points in the management score consolidates the company’s position as an ESG leader.

In the Development benchmark Sponda scored an impressive 100 points, the highest possible score, across all sections: ESG requirements, sustainability leadership, policies, reporting, building certifications, reporting, risk management, stakeholder engagement as well as in energy, material, water and waste management.

Sponda’s top scores in the Development benchmark demonstrate the company’s long-term commitment to increasing the sustainability of its construction projects. This is evident in its projects in Tikkurila, Vantaa and Mannerheimintie 14 in the Helsinki CBD, both of which were included among others in this year’s GRESB assessment. Sponda always aims for LEED Platinum or BREEAM Excellent certification across its portfolio, and calculates and reduces the carbon footprint of its buildings throughout their life cycle. The company also strives to increase its own renewable energy production.

GRESB covers all the components of corporate responsibility, with companies evaluated comprehensively in the following areas, among others: company-level sustainability management, environmental performance of properties, stakeholder engagement, risk management and the sustainability of property development. The number of participants in GRESB has increased annually, with a total of 2,084 companies and funds participating from 75 different countries this year. The total value of the properties participating in the assessment was $7.2 trillion.

[1] United Nations Environment Programme (2022). 2022 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction: Towards a Zero‑emission, Efficient and Resilient Buildings and Construction Sector. Nairobi.