Data Center Assessment Guides

How is the assessment organized?

The GRESB Data Center Assessment framework breaks down portfolio evaluation into increasingly detailed levels:

Level
Description

Component

The highest-level category in the assessment. Each component represents a broad area of sustainability evaluation (e.g., Management, New Development & Operations, New Development, Operations, Innovation).

Choosing the assessment component(s) to submit is at the participant’s discretion.

An entity's component selection determines which benchmark(s) and/or sector insight it participates in.

Aspect

Each section is made up of several aspects, which group together related themes. For example, within the Management component, there are aspects such as Leadership, Strategy, Transparency, Value Chain Engagement, Physical Risk & Resilience, and Certifications.

Indicator

The most detailed level of the hierarchy. Indicators are specific, measurable questions used to assess performance within an aspect (e.g., “TR1: Formal Sustainability Disclosure”).

See Indicators List


How is indicator-level guidance organized?

Each indicator page in the GRESB Data Center Assessment is structured to provide both a high-level overview and detailed completion guidance:

  1. At the top of each indicator page, summary cards provide a concise overview of the indicator’s key characteristics:

Base Score

Number of Points

Validation

Evidence required (or not)

Control dependent?

Yes/No

  1. Below the summary cards, the detailed indicator guidance is provided:

Indicator Question

The exact question as presented in the assessment.

Indicator Visual

An image of the indicator, including all answer selections.

  • Intent

Explains the purpose of the indicator within the assessment.

  • Input

Provides instructions on how to complete the indicator and clarifies relevant terminology.

  • Validation

Outlines validation requirements for submitted evidence (where applicable).

Scoring

Breaks down how the indicator is scored, including how selections affect the final score.

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