In 2017, the scheme became a member of the GRESB Infrastructure group. GRESB provides a detailed questionnaire and assessment process on ESG management for infrastructure assets. The tool will help USS and the operators to benchmark and track ESG related obligations and targets exist at individual asset level and to prioritise developments as appropriate. A significant proportion of USS’s infrastructure assets have completed the GRESB process in previous years, and the scheme is proposing to roll it out to other assets where it is advantageous to do so (some assets will not fit the GRESB model).
The results of the assessment should also enable us to answer INF 13.1 in future years.
GRESB Infrastructure Questionnaire (2016)
http://gresb-public.s3.amazonaws.com/2016/content/2016-GRESB-Infra-Asset-Assessment.pdf
Management
MA1: Does the entity specifically address ESG issues in its long-term strategic plan(s)?
MA2: Does the entity have a senior decision-maker accountable for ESG issues?
MA3: Are ESG factors included in performance targets for the entity’s senior leadership?
MA4: Does the entity provide ESG-related training?
Policy & Disclosure
PD1: Has the entity formally adopted a policy or policies on environmental issues?
PD2: Has the entity formally adopted a policy or policies on social issues?
PD3: Has the entity formally adopted a policy or policies on governance issues?
PD4: Does the entity have a process for stakeholders to communicate grievances?
PD5: Does the entity have third-party review of its ESG reporting and/or data?
PD6: Did the entity publish formal impact assessments during the last 3 years?
PD7: Does the entity communicate its ESG activities?
PD8: Does the entity have a process to communicate about ESG-related misconduct or penalties?
Risks & Opportunities
RO1: Does the entity assess and mitigate risks associated with environmental issues?
RO2: Does the entity assess and mitigate risks associated with social issues?
RO3: Does the entity assess and mitigate risks associated with governance issues?
Implementation
IM1: Can the entity provide specific examples of actions taken to improve ESG management and performance?
Monitoring & EMS
ME1: Does the entity have an Environmental Management System or comparable framework?
ME2: Does the entity collect and manage ESG performance data?
Stakeholder Engagement
SE1: Does the entity have a stakeholder engagement program?
SE2: Can the entity describe specific examples of actions taken to implement its stakeholder engagement program?
Performance Indicators
PI1: Can the entity report on measures of output?
PI2: Can the entity report on health and safety performance over time?
PI3: Can the entity report on energy generated and purchased over time?
PI4: Can the entity report on greenhouse gas emissions over time?
PI5: Can the entity report on air pollutant emissions over time?
PI6: Can the entity report on water use over time?
PI7: Can the entity report on waste generation and disposal over time?
PI8: Can the entity report on biodiversity and habitat over time?
Certifications & Awards
CA1: Did the entity maintain or achieve entity-level certifications for ESG-related management and/or performance?
CA2: Did the entity maintain or achieve project-level certifications for ESG-related management and/or performance?
CA3: Did the entity receive awards for ESG-related actions, performance, or achievements?
CA4: Was the entity the subject of case studies, research, or similar publications describing its ESG management and/or performance?