GRESB Benchmark assesses ESG performance in the real estate sector, in which:

• E (Environment): measure the impact of business on nature (climate, resources and energy, etc.).
• S (Social): consider the human resources development, increase connection and interaction within the business and stakeholders.
• G (Governance): concerned with organisational structure, management, policies and internal control.

Established in 2009, GRESB is developed based on 3 platforms - Assessments, Technology and Stakeholders. With a database system of more than 1,200 investment funds and real estate businesses (according to statistics in 2020), GRESB has proven to be one of the most prestigious and leading standard rankings in the world.

The GRESB benchmark provides useful data with bilateral benefits:

• For businesses:

ESG contributes to creating long-term and sustainable values. Therefore, a GRESB Assessment helps businesses better understand their ESG strategy, thereby improving awareness of environmental protection, enhancing social responsibility and strengthening governance platforms. Through the scores improved in each criterium, businesses will find out strengths / weaknesses, which enables them adjust the sustainable development strategy and please the investors.

• For investors:

A large number of institutional investors are more concerned about responsible investment strategies, especially when the global economy is vulnerable after the epidemic. Diving deeper into ESG performance helps investors have a multidimensional perspective in their investments and see opportunities and risks of capital poured into businesses in both short-term and long-term. Besides that, they can also assess the credibility of business and third parties.

In the Real Estate Assessment report, GRESB Rating – based on GRESB score is expressed as a percentage (maximum 100%), representing ESG performance of the business. GRESB 5 Stars is the highest rating, recognised for being an industry leader. The higher the percentage, the higher the rating. It indicates the company's potential for sustainability. GRESB score is marked following 3 components – Performance, Management and Development. In particular, the company with a point higher than 50% of the set level for each component will be awarded the Green Star, which means absolute ESG performance within that limit.

In 2020, EZLand carried out the GRESB Real Estate Assessment and achieved a total score of 71/100 - becoming the first Vietnam-based real estate developer to achieve this positive result which demonstrates all ESG efforts of EZLand in the sustainable strategy. This is the foundation for EZLand to continue improving to seize the most opportunities towards the goal of becoming the best mid-range real estate business in Vietnam.

Read the next article to explore more about other points EZLand had achieved in each category as well as the goals for 2021!