GH1: Scope 1-3 Emissions
Assessment Instructions
Participants must report this metric at the asset level.
GRESB automatically populates this indicator in the assessment response once participants have aggregated asset-level data from the Asset Portal.
When using the Asset Spreadsheet to upload asset-level data, GRESB recommends reviewing the instructions below in conjunction with the corresponding spreadsheet tab. The Cell Code column in the Input section indicates where to report each metric in the spreadsheet.
Asset Portal Guide Click here to download a read-only version of the Asset Spreadsheet.
Whole building
Emissions (tonne)
Floor Area Covered (m2/sq.ft.)
Maximum Floor Area (m2/sq.ft.)
Whole building
Emissions (tonne)
Floor Area Covered (m2/sq.ft.)
Maximum Floor Area (m2/sq.ft.)
Whole building
Emissions (tonne)
Floor Area Covered (m2/sq.ft.)
Maximum Floor Area (m2/sq.ft.)
Whole building
Emissions (tonne)
Floor Area Covered (m2/sq.ft.)
Maximum Floor Area (m2/sq.ft.)
Input: How do I complete this metric?
Note: The 2026 Standard reclassifies GHG emissions from landlord-controlled tenant spaces from Scope 3 to Scopes 1 and 2. Refer to the tables below for the complete mapping of energy consumption to Scope 1-3 emissions.
Data
Cell Code
Instructions
Scope 1-3 Emissions
E7
I7
M7
O7
Report two consecutive years of GHG emissions separately by scope (1, 2, or 3).
Emissions Value: Participants must report all known emissions per scope--regardless of the % of ownership--as they relate to the energy consumption section.
See a map of energy to GHG emissions below. If the emissions are unknown, leave this field empty.
Estimation: Participants must use actual data (non-estimated). However, GRESB allows asset-level estimates under specific conditions outlined in the Data Quality & Validation page when actual data is partially unavailable.
Scope 1 Emissions
Scope 1 emissions refer to those from GHG sources (physical units or processes that release a GHG into the atmosphere) owned or controlled by the organization—direct GHG emissions.
Scope 2 Emissions
Scope 2 emissions are those from the generation of imported electricity, heat, or steam consumed by the organization—energy indirect GHG emissions.
Location-Based
This field is mandatory when reporting Scope 2 emissions.
This is a method used to quantify Scope 2 GHG emissions based on the average emissions intensity of grids on which the energy consumption occurs (using mostly grid-average emission factor data). Emission factors are often defined using geographic locations. These can be based on local, subnational, or national boundaries.
Entities are responsible for determining the most appropriate emission factors to use when converting energy consumption into GHG emissions:
For location-based emissions, select the most relevant grid average emission factor for the specific geographic location of the asset.
Market-Based
This field is optional when reporting Scope 2 emissions.
This is a method to quantify Scope 2 GHG emissions based on emissions by the generators from which the reporter contractually purchases electricity. The market-based method reflects the GHG emissions associated with the choices a consumer makes regarding their electricity supplier or product (or the lack of choice).
Entities are responsible for determining the most appropriate emission factors to use when converting energy consumption into GHG emissions:
For Market-Based emissions, select the most relevant market-based emission factor, taking into account the asset's specific energy supply. For further guidance, refer to the GHG Protocol.
Scope 3 Emissions
Scope 3 emissions are those associated with tenant areas, unless they are already reported as Scope 1 or Scope 2 emissions (if they cannot be disassociated from emissions from other areas). Scope 3 emissions do not include emissions generated through the entity’s operations or by its employees, transmission losses, or upstream supply chain emissions.
Floor Area Covered
J7
This refers to the floor area corresponding to the reported emissions. If emissions are unknown, set the floor area covered to 0.
Max Floor Area
K7
This refers to the total floor area serviced by the reported energy type (see below). If the consumption is not known for the entire area, the maximum floor area may differ from the floor area covered.
Scope 1 Emissions
Fuel
Whole Building - Landlord Controlled
Fuel
Shared Services
Fuel
Common Areas
Fuel
Outdoor / Exterior Areas / Parking - Landlord Controlled
Fuel
Tenant Spaces - Landlord Controlled
Scope 2 Emissions
The following energy and floor area types map to Scope 2 emissions.
DH&C
Whole Building - Landlord Controlled
Electricity
Whole Building - Landlord Controlled
DH&C
Shared Services
Electricity
Shared Services
DH&C
Common Areas
Electricity
Common Areas
Electricity
Outdoor / Exterior / Parking - Landlord Controlled
DH&C
Tenant Spaces - Landlord Controlled
Electricity
Tenant Spaces - Landlord Controlled
Scope 3 Emissions
Fuel
Whole Building - Tenant Controlled
DH&C
Whole Building - Tenant Controlled
Electricity
Whole Building - Tenant Controlled
Fuel
Tenant Spaces - Tenant Controlled
DH&C
Tenant Spaces - Tenant Controlled
Electricity
Tenant Spaces - Tenant Controlled
Electricity
Outdoor / Exterior / Parking - Tenant Controlled
Fuel
Outdoor / Exterior / Parking - Tenant Controlled
Validation: What evidence is required?
This indicator is subject to automatic validation. No evidence is required. Refer to the page below for guidance on how to resolve automatic validation errors and warnings. Validation Basics
Scoring
Scope 2 emissions contribute to the GH1 data coverage (5 points total) and like-for-like performance improvement (2 points total) scores.
Data Coverage
Step 1: Calculate Asset-Level Data Coverage
GRESB calculates each asset's percentage of data coverage based on both area and time for which data is available — separately for Scope I+II and Scope III.
Step 2: Score Each Asset
GRESB compares asset-level data coverage against a relevant benchmark distribution based on the same property sub-type and country, and specific to Scope 1+2 and Scope 3 emissions. In other words, each scope category earns its own score.
GRESB further aggregates the scope scores based on their floor area weight within the asset.
The largest floor area from Scope 1+2 contributes to the weight for Scope 1+2.
The floor area from Scope 3 contributes to the weight for Scope 3.
How does GRESB construct benchmarks used for scoring?
First, an attempt is made to construct a benchmark by grouping values from assets with the same Property Sub-Type and located in the same Country. If there are not at least 20 values from 5 distinct reporting entities, the Property Sub-Type classification and then the Country specificity are gradually decreased.
For example, the Property Sub-Type becomes Property Type and then Property Sector. Then the specificity of the Country is decreased to Sub-Region, Region, Super-Region, and Global.
Step 3: Aggregate to the Property Subtype | Country Level
GRESB aggregates the asset-level scores to each property sub-type and country combination, using a weighted mean calculated by multiplying floor area by the percentage of ownership and the length of ownership period in the reporting year.
Step 4: Aggregate to the Portfolio Level
The scores for each property sub-type and country are aggregated into a single portfolio score, weighted by the gross asset value (GAV) for each property sub-type and country.
Like-for-Like Performance Improvement
Step 1: Calculate Asset-Level Like-for-Like (LFL) Improvement
Only space(s) within assets that meet all the following criteria, for both current and previous reporting years, are eligible for inclusion in the like-for-like calculations:
Data Availability covers the full year (> 355 days);
Data Coverage is positive
Data Coverage is the same (within 1% error threshold);
The asset is classified as a Standing Investment.
Assets that lack LFL-eligible space are excluded from the aggregation and do not negatively impact the entity’s score.
If no asset within a property sub-type and country group meets the like-for-like data availability criteria, all assets in the group receive a score of zero for Like-for-like.
For each eligible space, GRESB compares like-for-like percentage changes against a relevant benchmark distribution to generate a score (separately for Scope 1+2 and Scope 3 emissions).
A negative value (i.e., a decrease in emissions compared to the previous year) always results in a higher or equal score. Assets with increased or unchanged emissions compared to the previous year will automatically receive a score of 0.
GRESB then aggregates the scope scores to a single asset-level score by using a floor-area weighted mean:
The largest floor area from Scope 1+2 contributes to the weight for Scope 1+2.
The floor area from Scope 3 contributes to the weight for Scope 3.
Step 2: Aggregate to the Property Subtype | Country Level
GRESB aggregates the asset-level scores to each property sub-type and country combination, using a weighted mean calculated by multiplying floor area by the percentage of ownership and the length of ownership period in the reporting year.
Step 3: Aggregate to the Portfolio Level
GRESB aggregates the scores for each property sub-type and country into a single portfolio score, weighted by the gross asset value (GAV) for each property sub-type and country.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I report GHG data coverage for an asset with varying levels of data coverage across multiple energy types?
You may assume that each energy type contributes equally to the total energy consumption. In such cases, the reported data coverage may be calculated as the average data availability across all relevant energy types.
Example 1:
An asset uses two energy types that fall under Scope 2:
Electricity with 100% data coverage
District Heating and Cooling with 0% data coverage.
Participants are allowed to assume equal contribution from each, i.e. that 50% of the energy consumed comes from each energy type i.e. dh&c and electricity, so that the resulting GHG Scope 2 data coverage equals 50%.
Example 2:
An asset uses three energy types that fall under Scope 3:
Electricity with 100% data coverage
District Heating & Cooling with 20% data coverage
Fuel with 50% data coverage
Participants are allowed to assume equal contribution from each. The Scope 3 data coverage would therefore be calculated as : (100% + 20% + 50%) / 3 = 57%
What data does GRESB explicitly require from participants to report in the GHG tab?
Participants are required to report emissions calculated with the Location-Based method. It is optional to report emissions calculated using the Market-Based approach though this will not be factored into the final score. Entities are responsible for determining the most appropriate emission factors to use when converting energy consumption into GHG emissions:
For Location-Based emissions, select the most relevant grid average emission factor for the specific geographic location of the asset.
For Market-Based emissions, select the most relevant market-based emission factor, taking into account the specific energy supply of the asset.
For further guidance, refer to the GHG Protocol.
How do I classify the emissions associated to the renewable energy I purchased through RECs or PPAs?
Emissions associated with renewable energy purchased through RECs or PPAs should be classified using the Market-based method. In contrast, emissions from energy drawn directly from the grid should be classified using the Location-based method.
Do I need to report fugitive emissions to GRESB?
No. As of now, fugitive emissions are not captured in the GRESB Real Estate Assessment. Participants are only required to report GHG emissions related to the energy consumption of each asset.
Why doesn't the GHG section include fields for data availability?
Participants must report GHG emissions related to each asset's reported energy consumption. Therefore, GRESB assumes GHG and energy data availability to match.
How does GRESB construct the benchmarks used to score performance metrics?
First, an attempt is made to construct a benchmark by grouping values from assets with the same Property Sub-Type and located in the same Country. If there are not at least 20 values from 5 distinct reporting entities, the Property Sub-Type classification and then the Country specificity are gradually decreased.
For example, the Property Sub-Type becomes Property Type and then Property Sector. Then the specificity of the Country is decreased to Sub-Region, Region, Super-Region, and Global.
Get Support: Solution Providers
GRESB Solution Providers are independent, third-party organizations within the GRESB Partner network that offer specialized products, tools, and services to support sustainability performance outside the GRESB Assessment process.
The organizations below deliver commercially available solutions designed to help drive improvement for this indicator. Engagement is managed directly between the reporting entity and the Solution Provider.
GRESB will continue to update this section as the GRESB Solution Provider network grows. Please check back regularly to find GRESB Solution Providers who can support your sustainability performance.
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