Investor based Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) today joins the Climate Bonds Green Property Technical Working Group

The Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESBis an industry-driven organization committed to assessing the sustainability performance of real estate portfolios (public, private and direct) around the globe.

Sander Paul van Tongeren, GRESB Executive Director and Co-Founder is also Head of Sustainability Real Estate & Infrastructure at the EUR359 billion APG Asset ManagementPaul will represent GRESB in the Climate Bonds Green Property Technical Working Groupproviding industry insight into the practicality of the proposed eligibility criteria.

Mr van Tongeren said: “Green Property Bonds are an essential and logical next step to integrate sustainability credentials in the offerings to the financial market."

"Recent offerings show that there is a clear demand from both institutional and responsible investors to gain exposure to Green Bonds in general and Green Property Bonds specifically. However, the latest Green Property Bonds also show that there is a need to standardize the criteria and methodology to assess the green credentials and achievements.”

GRESB benchmarking is used by institutional investors to help improve the sustainability performance of their investment portfolios, and the global property sector at large. With 543 property companies and funds participating in the 2013 Benchmark, GRESB is a global sustainability standard for the real estate industry.

The Green Property Working Group has developed criteria for commercial and residential property investments eligible for certification under the Climate Bonds Standard. The aim is to provide clarity to investors as to the low carbon integrity of energy efficiency investments.