RE ESG Ratings
The holistic and systematic sustainability ratings for real estate
Wüest Partner’s real estate ESG Ratings aim to make locations and properties comparable using a broad set of sustainability indicators. These cover the three pillars of sustainability: ecological, social, and governance.
In addition to sustainability and building certification, the three letters E, S, and G and their significance have become an integral part of the real estate industry. Expectations to comply with the Paris Climate Agreement, fulfil EU taxonomy requirements, and transparently disclose sustainable investments are intensifying.
Real estate funds, portfolio holders, asset and project developers, and property and facility managers must align their actions accordingly. To do so efficiently and effectively, they require targeted support.
Our GRESB-recognized RE ESG offering comprises three ratings: Location, Building, and Plus. Depending on the selected rating, between 30 and 120 indicators are evaluated, primarily based on data. This eliminates subjectivity and makes the rating objective and comparable, with results serving as implicit benchmarks for the entire building stock.
Using a standardized scoring matrix, each indicator is rated on a scale from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent). This quantitative framework allows properties and portfolios to be compared objectively at every aggregation level.
Wüest Partner’s ESG team is at your side, providing expert support in recording the sustainability qualities of buildings or entire portfolios. Our data-driven, objectified approach not only ensures efficiency and automation but also eliminates the risk of greenwashing.
The three RE ESG Ratings
RE ESG Location
Site assessment from a holistic perspective.
Receive detailed information on the strengths and weaknesses of each location, benchmarked against the wider Swiss building stock. In particular, this includes a long-term view that takes climate change into account. Around 50 indicators are used, all of which are derived from data.
The rating can be either carried out by Wüest Partner or independently via Wüest Dimensions.
50 indicators
- Fully data-driven
- 60% of GRESB points under BC1.2
RE ESG Building
Holistic building and portfolio analysis.
Obtain a holistic view of your property or portfolio. 30 data-driven indicators are analysed, which correspond to building characteristics typically assessed in conventional valuations, e.g. on-site inspections. Automated processes ensure a high degree of scalability.
Two rating categories are available: for investment properties and for owner-occupied properties.
30 indicators
- Fully data-driven
- 60% of GRESB points under BC1.1/BC1.2
RE ESG Plus
The highest level of detail using a combination of data and expert analysis.
Properties and portfolios are assessed based on 120 indicators at both the location and building levels. The RE ESG Plus Rating also includes information on property and corporate governance.
A well-founded sustainability strategy can be developed based on the automated recommendations at asset and portfolio level.
120 indicators
- Combination of data and expert assessment
- 100% of GRESB points under BC1.1/BC1.2
Sasha Cisar
Sustainability and Finance expert
Martin Eberhardt
Managing Director in the Investment Management sector
Christoph Axmann
Partner at Wüest Partner
Jacqueline Schweizer
Partner at Wüest Partner
Expert panel with independent specialists
A dedicated Sounding Board is used for an open exchange with independent ESG experts and provides valuable insights into current ESG trends, methods, and best practices. In addition, the Sounding Board ensures that the RE ESG Plus Rating is up to date and complies with industry standards through reviews.
50,000
Ratings carried out
90 billion
CHF assets under management valued
100%
GRESB points (RE ESG Plus, BC1.1/1.2)
Our approach
Rating type selection
Our ratings cover a wide range of circumstances and requirements:
- RE ESG Location Rating is based on an automated analysis using location coordinates.
- RE ESG Building Rating combines data from market value assessments with publicly available information, enabling a property-specific ESG assessment.
- The most comprehensive format, RE ESG Plus Rating, integrates both automated data processing and manually collected information — for example, from planning documents or photo documentation. To ensure data quality, selected data points are validated by independent experts.
The final valuation is based on a predefined assessment matrix, ensuring a well-founded, comprehensible ESG valuation at both property and portfolio level.
E
- Greenhouse gases
- Energy
- Resource efficiency
- Mobility & outdoor space
S
- Diversity
- Building quality
- Usability
- Well-being & safety
G
- Corporate processes
- Building operation
- Tenants
- Regional economy
Assessment
Topics assessed in the RE ESG Ratings vary by type. On the one hand, the matrix covers established industry focal points and, on the other, it addresses relevant emerging trends. The rating evaluates not only current performance but also the long-term viability of buildings and locations.
Meaningful results
The results of the RE ESG Ratings are summarized in clear reports for each property and the entire portfolio. In addition to the final ESG Ratings, individual scores and selected KPIs are presented. Key property data and potential improvement measures are also highlighted.
Your added value
Seize opportunities and manage risks
Identify opportunities and risks through property-based key figures, strategic management, and clear starting points for further portfolio development.
Efficient and scalable
A standardized, field-tested settlement process suitable for real estate portfolios of any size — low effort, high impact.
Sound decision-making basis
Our objective, data-based approach enables reliable valuations as well as portfolio and peer comparisons.
Recognized rating with high market acceptance
Thanks to GRESB recognition, our ratings have a high market acceptance. The broadly established ratings enable a reliable assessment and comparison of individual ESG indicators in benchmarking and peer comparison.
Interested in ESG ratings for real estate? Talk to our experts.
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