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GRESB Data Center Assessment

Credible sustainability assessment of data center development and operations in a high-scrutiny environment. 

Contact us to learn more Read the overview

A purpose-built assessment for data centers

As investment in data centers accelerates, so does scrutiny around power demand, water use, grid interaction, operational resilience, and community impact. These issues are becoming increasingly important considerations for development approvals, stakeholder trust, capital allocation, and long-term investment value.

Developed by GRESB in partnership with the iMasons Climate Accord, the Data Center Assessment provides a consistent and credible framework for data center developers and operators to assess and communicate how they manage these material sustainability risks and impacts.

Built with industry input and refined through a global pilot, the Assessment is designed specifically for the operational, development, and investment realities of the data center sector.

Learn how it was developed

What does it cover?

The Assessment focuses on the issues that are materially important to data centers, including:



Energy supply

Energy use and efficiency

GHG emissions

Water use and efficiency


Community engagement

Health and safety

Physical climate risk

Resilience


Learn more about the Assessment structure and what it covers in GRESB Guides.

Portfolio fit

Designed for the realities of data center portfolios

The GRESB Data Center Assessment is designed for data center companies and portfolios across the data center lifecycle.

  • Complex ownership and operational structures
  • Differences across development and operational stages
  • New and emerging sustainability issues and sector-specific metrics
  • Differences in control across developers, operators, and tenants

Flexible scoring based on your portfolio.

Aligned with how data centers are developed and operated:

  • The assessment uses a dynamic scoring approach tailored to your portfolio
  • Applies to operational assets, development assets, or both
  • Adjusts scoring based on your lifecycle mix and control

Built for the pace of data center investment

The GRESB Data Center Assessment is available on demand through the GRESB platform. This flexible approach aligns with the pace of data center investment, development, and operational decision-making.

1

Start when ready

Start the Assessment whenever you’re ready.

2

Complete

Complete the Assessment throughout the year.

3

Receive results

Receive results within approximately four weeks after validation.

4

Update

Update and resubmit as needed.

5

Control access

Maintain control over data sharing and access.

Participation benefits

Strengthen credibility with stakeholders

Provide a trusted, industry-backed reference point that supports conversations with investors, utilities, regulators, local communities, tenants, and other stakeholders.

Understand material risks and opportunities

Gain insight into the sustainability issues most likely to influence development timelines, operational performance, stakeholder trust, and long-term investment value.

Support better decision-making

Translate complex operational and development realities into standardized, decision-useful insights that can support capital raising, investment monitoring, expansion planning, and stakeholder engagement.

Benchmark performance

Compare your approach and performance against peers through a framework developed specifically for the data center sector.

Strengthen social license to operate

Demonstrate responsible development and operations before narratives are defined externally.

What you get

Participation results in standardized, validated outputs designed to support both internal decision-making and external stakeholder engagement. 

Insights Report

Delivered approximately four weeks after validation.

  • Scorecard
  • Material issue breakdowns
  • Indicator-level results
  • Validation outcomes
  • Performance insights

Benchmark Report

Available once peer groups are established.

  • Peer benchmarking
  • Comparative performance insights
  • Market context

Together, these outputs help translate complex operational and development realities into decision-useful insights that can support capital raising, investment monitoring, stakeholder engagement, and long-term portfolio improvement.

Data Center Assessment Explorer

See how the Assessment applies to your portfolio

The Data Center Assessment Explorer is an interactive tool designed to help you better understand the scoring methodology behind the GRESB Data Center Assessment.

Model different portfolio scenarios, explore how lifecycle characteristics and levels of control influence score allocation, and identify where points can be earned across the Assessment.

Try the Data Center Assessment Explorer →

 

Introducing the Data Center Standard and Assessment

Developed by GRESB in partnership with the iMasons Climate Accord, “Introducing the Data Center Standard and Assessment: Purpose, Structure, and Applications” provides a practical introduction to the framework, methodology, and real-world applications of the new Assessment.

Learn why data centers require a dedicated framework, explore the material issues shaping investment risk and long-term value, and discover how standardized, validated outputs can support stakeholder engagement, capital raising, investment monitoring, and sustainable finance applications.

Read the overview

Ready to learn more?

Speak with our team about how the GRESB Data Center Assessment can support your data center portfolio. 

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