Purpose of this article
This article explains the methodology behind the scores available in Scaler, including proprietary performance scores and modelled third-party reporting estimates. It clarifies how scores are calculated, what inputs they rely on, and how they should be interpreted.
Overview of scoring in Scaler
Scores in Scaler are designed to contextualize sustainability performance, not replace raw metrics.
Scores:
- Are calculated using available data in the platform
- Follow transparent, logic-driven methodologies
- Align with leading ESG reporting practices in real estate
- Are available at both asset and portfolio level
Different scores serve different purposes, from internal performance tracking to external reporting preparation.
Scaler ESG Score
The Scaler ESG Score provides a holistic performance score out of 100 points for each asset, aggregated at portfolio level.
The score is structured around seven key aspects, aligned with industry reporting standards and focused on:
- Data coverage
- Intensity metrics
- Like-for-like performance
Aspects and Weighting
- Energy (25%): Includes renewable energy, energy use intensity (EUI), data coverage, and like-for-like consumption trends. EUI performance is assessed against CRREM 1.5°C decarbonization pathways.
- GHG Emissions (12%): Covers carbon intensity (including CRREM alignment), like-for-like change, and data coverage.
- Water (12%): Focuses on data coverage, like-for-like change, and the proportion of water reused or recycled.
- Waste (7%): Assesses data coverage and diversion rates (recycling, reuse, waste-to-energy).
- Building Certifications (19%): Based on the share of GFA covered by energy ratings and environmental certifications.
- Tenant Engagement (9%): Includes engagement programs, satisfaction surveys, green leases, and fit-out practices.
- Risk & Technical Assessments (16%): Reflects presence of risk assessments, technical audits, and operational efficiency measures across energy, water, and waste.
At portfolio level, the ESG Score is calculated as a floor-area-weighted average of asset scores and is available across time for year-on-year tracking.
Scaler Net Zero Energy Score
The Scaler Net Zero Energy Score evaluates how well an asset’s energy performance aligns with long-term energy-reduction targets.
The score compares an asset’s EUI to the CRREM 1.5°C energy pathway for the relevant property subtype and region.
How the score is calculated
This score is derived by comparing the asset’s EUI to the CRREM pathway threshold for the reporting year:
- A score of 100 indicates that the asset’s EUI in the reporting year isalready below the 2050 CRREM energy threshold for its region and property subtype.
- A lower score reflects that the asset exceeds the CRREM pathway threshold, with increasing misalignment the higher the EUI.
- If no score is shown, the asset does not have sufficient data to calculate EUI for the reporting year.
Score = 100 – [(EUIₐ – EUI₂₀₅₀) / (EUIᵧ – EUI₂₀₅₀) × 100]
Where:
- EUIₐ = Asset's energy use intensity (EUI) for the most recent year with data
- EUIᵧ = CRREM pathway target EUI for that same year
- EUI₂₀₅₀ = CRREM 2050 target EUI
If EUIₐ > EUIᵧ, the score is capped at 0 (misaligned).
If EUIₐ ≤ EUI₂₀₅₀, the score is capped at 100 (aligned).
Scaler Net Zero Carbon Score
The Scaler Net Zero Carbon Score assesses alignment with a science-based net zero carbon trajectory.
It compares Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions intensity to the CRREM 1.5°C carbon pathway.
How the score is calculated
The score is based on how the asset’s GHG emissions intensity compares to the CRREM carbon threshold for the reporting year:
- A score of 100 indicates that the asset’s GHG emissions intensity in the reporting year is already below the 2050 CRREM carbon threshold for its region and property subtype.
- A lower score reflects that the asset exceeds the CRREM carbon pathway, indicating increasing misalignment.
- If no score is shown, there is not enough emissions data to calculate GHG intensity for that year.
Score = 100 – [(GHGₐ – GHG₂₀₅₀) / (GHGᵧ – GHG₂₀₅₀) × 100]
Where:
- GHGₐ = Asset's GHG emissions intensity for the most recent year with data
- GHGᵧ = CRREM pathway target GHG intensity for that same year
- GHG₂₀₅₀ = CRREM 2050 target GHG intensity
If GHGₐ > GHGᵧ, the score is capped at 0 (misaligned).
If GHGₐ ≤ GHG₂₀₅₀, the score is capped at 100 (aligned).
GRESB dashboard and score modelling
Scaler provides tools to model and estimate GRESB scores using the same scoring methodology applied by GRESB, based on asset-level performance indicators.
These tools help users track expected progress throughout the year and identify improvement opportunities ahead of submission.
What’s included in the GRESB Scores dashboard
- Score Modeller: Estimates the portfolio’s GRESB Score by applying official GRESB scoring logic to asset-level indicators and combining that with manually predicted scores for portfolio-level indicators. This does not include GRESB benchmarking or validation adjustments.
- Strengths & Opportunities chart: A pie chart visualizing the percentage of points likely achieved per GRESB Aspect helping clients pinpoint where improvement efforts will yield the most gain.
- Asset distribution and trends: The estimated GRESB scores at the asset level, year-over-year, for all indicators calculated in Scaler.
Asset-level indicators calculated in Scaler
Scaler automatically calculates the scoring potential for asset-level indicators in the Performance Component, representing approximately 54% of the total GRESB Score. These include:
- Energy: EN1
- GHG Emissions: GH1
- Water: WT1
- Waste: WS1
- Building Certifications: BC1.1, BC1.2, BC2
- Tenant & Community Engagement: TC1, TC3
- Risk Assessments: RA1 to RA5
Manual modelling of portfolio-level indicators
The remaining 46% of the score, which includes the Management Component and select Performance Component indicators, must be modelled manually using sliders. These indicators include:
- Targets: T1.1
- Tenant & Community: TC2.1, TC2.2, TC4, TC5.1, TC5.2, TC6.1, TC6.2
- Data Monitoring & Review: MR1 to MR4
- All Management indicators
Clients are encouraged to reference their previous year’s GRESB Assessment when modelling these indicators.
Best practices & tips
- First-year reporters can benefit from GRESB’s Grace Period, which allows participants to submit without having scores shared with investors.
- GRESB global average scores in 2024 were:
- 27 points for the Management Component
- 48 points for the Performance Component
- Users can model their expected score against these benchmarks.
- Scaler provides verification-ready data for indicators under Data Monitoring & Review, which can support the full 5.5 available points on MR1-MR4. Contact your Scaler representative to learn more.
Practical use
The dashboard is intended to:
- Help estimate GRESB performance before submission
- Benchmark asset-level performance across your portfolio
- Identify underperforming assets and define improvement strategies
- Inform ESG planning and resource allocation throughout the reporting cycle
For full details on the scoring methodology, refer to the GRESB Reference Guide.
Scaler offers a scoring tool that estimates the portion of your GRESB score based on asset-level indicators. This accounts for 54% of the total GRESB score, based on the official GRESB scoring methodology.
Use cases for scores
These scoring tools are intended to:
- Identify underperforming assets
- Track improvement year-over-year
- Evaluate alignment with decarbonization and ESG goals
- Prepare for third-party reporting (e.g., GRESB, SFDR)
- Communicate performance to internal and external stakeholders