Vesteda takes number one spot with highest GRESB sustainability score

Vesteda once again achieved a five-star rating in this year’s Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB), but also climbed to the top position in the reference group in the Netherlands and Europe, up from 9th last year.

The five-star rating is the highest attainable rating in the annual GRESB benchmark survey and puts Vesteda in the 20% best scoring funds participating in the benchmark worldwide. Vesteda achieved the top spot in the benchmark group in the Netherlands and Europe for the first time. Vesteda’s total score rose to 96 points, from 88 points in 2022. Vesteda was ranked 9th in last year’s survey and came in as low as 11th and last in 2015.

Largest BREEAM-certified real estate portfolio in the world
Over the past eight years, Vesteda has put a huge amount of effort into integrating sustainability in its operational processes. In 2022, for instance, Vesteda had almost its entire residential portfolio certified using the new BREEAM-NL In-Use Residential guideline. This immediately created the largest BREEAM-certified real estate portfolio in the world. This was also the main driver of the sharp rise in the benchmark compared with last year.

Tightened sustainability strategy, 55% reduction in energy consumption by 2030
Achieving the top position is the tangible result of the sustainability-related measures Vesteda has taken in recent years. However, this does not mean that Vesteda is planning to rest on its laurels. Vesteda recently tightened its sustainability strategy even further. By 2030, Vesteda aims to cut its energy consumption by 55% compared with 1990. In the coming years, Vesteda will focus on reducing the energy demand per home by making residential complexes with high energy consumption more sustainable, installing almost 10,000 solar panels a year in the period 2023-2027, taking measures to mitigate climate risks and involving tenants in the reduction of their energy consumption. Vesteda has € 200 million available to finance these initiatives in the coming years. By doing this, Vesteda will ensure the availability of affordable, sustainable and climate-proof rental housing and a better quality of life in Dutch neighbourhoods.