The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) has announced a formal partnership with GRESB, the leading global standard for portfolio-level sustainability assessment in real estate.
GRESB assesses environmental, social, and governance (ESG) attributes and performance of property funds around the world. In 2014, GRESB covered 637 funds representing $2.7 trillion in property value.
The GRESB benchmark also uses voluntary rating tools such as NABERS which has been operating for more than 16 years.
OEH metropolitan branch director, Tom Grosskopf, said the partnership will ensure Australia's property industry is represented.
It is the most widely used building rating tool in Australia, with over 2,000 accredited ratings every year. The 2014 GRESB Survey results confirmed that Australia is a world leader in overall sustainability performance.
GRESB Asia Pacific head, Ruben Langbroek, said benchmarking provides clarity and transparency.
“For Australia, the use of building certification schemes, as well as environmental rating tools such as NABERS, contributes to a more efficient, more sustainable built environment. Because in the end, if you can’t measure it, you cannot manage or improve it,” Langbroek said.
Go to www.gresb.com