GRESB real estate sustainability assessment 2025: For the third consecutive year Sponda secures the number one position in its European peer group

Sponda has consistently advanced its sustainability programme, reflected in another strong set of results in this year’s GRESB assessment. Despite increasingly stringent criteria and a growing number of participants, the company has maintained Global Sector Leader status for several consecutive years. In 2025, Sponda further improved its GRESB score, marking its 13th consecutive year of successful participation and improved scores. The company's total score has increased by 11 points since 2018.

“I’m proud of the recognition we’ve received for our commitment to sustainability. Succeeding in the GRESB assessment has required real operational improvements, and long-term investment in our property portfolio, including enhancing energy efficiency and upgrading energy classes of energy performance certificates and environmental certifications. These efforts have contributed to attracting tenants who share our high sustainability standards, such as Boston Consulting Group at Mannerheimintie 6, which is currently being renovated, and Valmet Plc at our new development in Vantaa”, says Sponda’s CEO Christian Hohenthal.

“To further advance our sustainability work, we updated our materiality analysis in line with CSRD. This now guides our new sustainability programme, to be published in early 2026, with an increased focus on circular economy and strengthened sustainable practices across our value chain”, adds Pirkko Airaksinen, Head of ESG at Sponda.

In its peer group (Diversified – Office/Retail) in the Standing Investments benchmark, Sponda improved its score to 95/100 points (up from 94 points last year), and received full points across all areas of the management component. Sponda also achieved full points in several areas of the performance component and has made significant progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving the energy efficiency of its properties.

Amongst its peer group (Mixed use) in the Development benchmark, Sponda scored an impressive 100 points, the highest possible score, in all areas of the assessment. Development scores have improved by nine points since 2020, with Sponda achieving the highest score of 100 points consecutively for the past three years.

Sponda’s top scores in the Development benchmark underscore the company’s long-term commitment to sustainable construction, as seen in recent development projects at Lauri Korpisen katu in Vantaa and Mannerheimintie 6 in Helsinki. Currently under renovation, Mannerheimintie 6 has been designed to minimise its carbon footprint, generate renewable energy via its own solar power system, and targets to achieve LEED Platinum and taxonomy alignment. Sponda promotes these same principles across all its development projects.

GRESB assesses environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices and data of real estate companies and funds, providing an ESG-benchmark for real estate and infrastructure investments worldwide. More than 2,300 companies and funds from around the world participated in the assessment this year.

“GRESB participants are showing that responsible investing is more than a mandate – it’s a measurable, data-driven pathway to long-term value and trust”, says Sebastien Roussotte, CEO, GRESB.