Real assets sustainability benchmark provider GRESB and the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC) have launched a new methodology to assess how infrastructure assets align with the Net Zero Investment Framework (NZIF) 2.0.
According to GRESB, the framework provides “a common language for sustainability” that allows for consistent comparisons across assets.
Joss Blamire, director of infrastructure standards at GRESB, said: “This project reflects the power of collaboration. Drawing on NZIF 2.0 and the collective insight of leading global investors, we’re helping the infrastructure industry turn ambition into action.”
The initiative follows the launch of a pilot programme which was developed in collaboration with Dutch pension provider APG earlier this year.
Eleven global investors and managers, including Aberdeen, Arcus Infrastructure Partners, CVC DIF, IFM Investors, JP Morgan, Macquarie, Morrison Global, Patrizia and PGGM, also took part in the working group.
The insights and feedback gathered through the pilot will inform the final approach, which is planned to be formally integrated into the 2026 GRESB Infrastructure Standards.
Findings
The pilot showed that 16% of respondents reported their assets already achieve net zero, while 62% have committed to alignment but have not yet reached their targets, while a further 20% have yet to commit.
Half of participants have set science-based targets, though 60% do not include both short and medium-term goals. All respondents disclosed Scope 1 and 2 emissions, but fewer than half disclosed all relevant Scope 3 categories.
Furthermore, 84% confirmed governance structures with responsibility for decarbonisation plans, and 42% reported a measurable decline in emissions.
Hugh Garnett, investor strategies senior specialist for real assets at IIGCC, said: “This pilot marks a key step in aligning the GRESB Infrastructure Standards with NZIF. It provides asset managers and owners with a practical, industry-developed tool to assess their individual infrastructure assets against net-zero goals, supporting investor decision-making.”
Integration into the GRESB Standards
Once the final approach is fully integrated, NZIF alignment outputs will be generated as part of the annual GRESB infrastructure assessments, streamlining reporting and delivering standardised, decision-useful insights to investors.
“Delivering a net-zero future requires shared standards and sector-wide alignment,” said Cameron Talbot-Stern, director for responsible investing, infrastructure at APG.
“As a long-term infrastructure investor, we are proud to support this initiative, to help define how infrastructure assets can demonstrate credible, consistent progress toward climate goals, to inform future investor engagement plans, and to support ongoing improvements aligned with industry and investor requirements.”
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