{"id":87838,"date":"2025-06-04T13:53:21","date_gmt":"2025-06-04T11:53:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gresb.com\/?post_type=kennisbank&p=87838"},"modified":"2025-06-04T13:53:23","modified_gmt":"2025-06-04T11:53:23","slug":"gresb-and-infrastructure-masons-partner-to-launch-the-first-global-sustainability-benchmark-for-data-center-investments","status":"publish","type":"kennisbank","link":"https:\/\/www.gresb.com\/insights\/gresb-and-infrastructure-masons-partner-to-launch-the-first-global-sustainability-benchmark-for-data-center-investments\/","title":{"rendered":"GRESB and Infrastructure Masons partner to launch the first global sustainability benchmark for data center investments\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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As data centers gain strategic importance across real estate and infrastructure portfolios, this new initiative will provide financial markets with sector-specific insights and benchmarking to support informed investments in digital infrastructure.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

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Cannes, France, June 4, 2025 \u2013<\/strong> Today at the Datacloud Global Congress, GRESB<\/a>, the global benchmark and strategic partner for resilient and high-performing investments across real assets and climate-critical industries, and Infrastructure Masons<\/a> (iMasons), a global nonprofit association of digital infrastructure professionals, announced a strategic partnership to develop the first global sustainability benchmark tailored to the unique needs and operations of the fast-growing data center asset class.<\/p>\n

The new benchmark will provide investors and managers with trusted, comparable metrics and insights to enable more informed capital allocation, risk assessment and due diligence. A pilot assessment is scheduled for Q3 of 2025, with a full assessment open to the whole market expected in 2026.<\/p>\n

\u201cDigital infrastructure is a critical part of real assets portfolios, yet data centers present distinct sustainability challenges\u2014from outsized energy consumption to complex operational demands,\u201d<\/em> said Dr. Chris Pyke<\/a>, Chief Innovation Officer at GRESB. \u201cWe are thrilled to be collaborating with iMasons and a diverse mix of industry leaders to build a sector-specific standard and create a new benchmark that can deliver the most material insights for investors and managers of data centers.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

The partnership builds on GRESB\u2019s existing relationships with listed and private investors in the real estate and infrastructure industries and engages iMasons\u2019 global community of data center professionals. Together, the two organizations convened a Data Centers Working Group<\/a> of more than 20 representatives from across the automation, energy management, computing, technology and asset management sectors to identify and define the material indicators and performance metrics that matter most to both investors and operators.<\/p>\n

GRESB already provides investors with assessment-derived insights into data centers through its existing Real Estate and Infrastructure Benchmarks, with 41 entities reporting on 842 individual data center assets and facilities, representing a combined gross asset value (GAV) of USD 115 billion. These existing assessments provide an essential foundation for GRESB and iMasons to build a new dedicated benchmark.<\/p>\n

In a recent whitepaper from GRESB<\/a>, the energy consumption of data centers in the GRESB Real Estate Benchmark was shown to be increasing, reflecting both the growth of the sector and the addition of larger facilities. The average energy use per asset rose from 59.6 million kWh in 2020 to 76.0 million kWh in 2024, further highlighting the energy demands that place data centers under critical observation from investors.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re proud to be working with GRESB to introduce an assessment and benchmark that\u2019s custom-built for the data center sector,\u201d<\/em> said Santiago Suinaga<\/a>, CEO of iMasons. \u201cAs an emerging asset class, data centers are an exciting yet complex investment opportunity. By providing investors with actionable insights and metrics, this new benchmark will help investors and developers better understand and improve the performance of data centers while driving long-term value.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Thus far, Working Group sessions have identified priorities, emerging trends, and specific performance metrics that should be represented in a new global benchmark tailored to data centers. GRESB and iMasons also gained insight into the relative importance of social and environmental issues for data center and investment professionals. Top-ranking considerations included energy, water, and worker health and safety.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince inception, the Working Group recognized that meaningful progress in developing a sustainability benchmark for data centers could only come from bringing together the full ecosystem: developers, operators, investors, tenants, and experts alike. The diversity of perspectives represented by the Group has been our greatest strength, ensuring we approach sustainability performance through a lens that reflects the operational complexities of the industry while also aligning with investor expectations,\u201d<\/em> said Bethany Brantley<\/a>, Co-Chair of the Data Center Working Group and Head of Sustainability for STACK Infrastructure.<\/p>\n

Data centers are driving historic growth in energy projections and new capital allocations for these assets are growing in parallel with demand. In its most recent Global Data Center Outlook<\/a>, JLL projected that USD 170 billion in data center asset value will be seeking secure development or permanent financing this year. With investors seeking clarity on the environmental and social issues associated with the data center asset class, GRESB and iMasons\u2019 assessment and Benchmark will play a critical role in identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks.<\/p>\n

To learn more about the sustainability benchmark for data centers from GRESB and to see a list of the members in the working group formed by iMasons and GRESB, visit www.gresb.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Media contact<\/strong><\/p>\n

For media inquiries, please contact Tyler Guthrie, Director of Marketing & Communications, at t.guthrie@gresb.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

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\n About GRESB <\/h2>\n \n
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As a strategic partner for resilient and high-performing investments across real assets and climate-critical industries, GRESB delivers assessment-based solutions, actionable insights, and granular asset-level data to drive informed investment decisions and support the transition to a more sustainable, robust economy.<\/p>\n

Since 2009, GRESB has been the premier provider of sustainability data and benchmarks across real assets, serving more than 150 financial institutions and investors worldwide. Our comprehensive and complementary datasets cover more than 2,200 real estate portfolios, 167 infrastructure funds, and 720 infrastructure assets through the annual GRESB assessments, collectively valued at USD 9 trillion. And our Asset Impact database includes indicators of 65,000+ companies and 300,000+ physical assets\u2014representing +75% of global greenhouse gas emissions across 11 of the most carbon-intensive sectors.<\/p>\n

Working with financial markets, we are helping drive the world towards a sustainable, resilient, and decarbonized future.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

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\n About Infrastructure Masons <\/h2>\n \n
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Infrastructure Masons (iMasons)<\/a> is a global, nonprofit, professional association of individuals connected and empowered to build a greater digital future for all. Since its launch in 2016, the organization has brought together 6,000 individuals representing US$1.5T in infrastructure projects across 130 countries. iMasons provides an agnostic platform for members to connect, grow, and give back. iMasons united the builders of the digital age. People drive innovation and innovation drives efficiency.<\/p>\n

To date, iMasons has contributed USD 1+ million in scholarships, launched Member Focus Groups\u00a0 and opened regional and local Chapters across four continents. In 2022, iMasons spearheaded the Climate Accord, uniting leaders on carbon reduction in digital infrastructure.<\/p>\n

iMasons unites the builders of the digital age!<\/p>\n

To learn more, visit iMasons.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

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