> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://guides.gresb.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://guides.gresb.com/data-center-assessment/2.-completing-gresb-assessment/data-center-assessment/management/strategy.md). # Strategy The **Strategy** aspect assesses whether the entity integrates sustainability into its overall business strategy and decision-making processes. Strategic integration supports a forward-looking approach to managing risks and opportunities, helping to drive long-term value creation and resilience. *** {% stepper %} {% step %} ## **ST0: Strategy Context**


Maximum Score	Not scored	Static
Validation	Evidence not required
Control dependent?	No

**Is there context that an investor or similar stakeholder needs to understand the entity’s response to the Strategy indicators?**

[SCORING KEY] A "scoring weight" is the fraction of the indicator's maximum score that a selection contributes (a multiplier, not a fixed point value). "[validated]" means the selection is subject to validation outputs. INPUT TYPES: groups are labelled (radio — select exactly one; options are mutually exclusive) or (checkbox — select all that apply); radio options are alternatives (not additive), checkbox options add together. CAPPING: total scoring is capped at the indicator's maximum (1/1); selecting options whose combined weight exceeds 1/1 does not award more than the maximum, and a group's contribution is capped at its own weight.

ST0 | Strategy Context — Not scored
Yes (provide a short, headline statement to inform interpretation of the Strategy indicators) / No.

### Assessment Instructions

Intent: What is the purpose of this indicator?

This indicator provides the entity with the opportunity to disclose additional context to support the interpretation of its responses to the Strategy indicators, helping stakeholders better understand the entity’s strategic approach and circumstances.

Input: How do I complete this indicator?

Select ‘**Yes**’ or ‘**No**’. If ‘Yes’, provide context to support the interpretation of the entity’s responses to this aspect’s indicators. **Open text box**: The content of this open text box is not used for scoring, but will be included in the Insights and Benchmark Reports. Participants should use this open text box to provide further details, context, or comments related to the subject. *** #### Terminology **Strategy** > To define and clearly communicate a target, direction, or program (internally at minimum), while also preparing and implementing the actions required to achieve it. **Sustainability strategy** > Strategy which (1) sets out the participant’s procedures and (2) sets the direction and guidance for the entity’s implementation of sustainability measures.

Validation: What evidence is required?

No evidence required

### **Scoring** This indicator is not scored. *** {% endstep %} {% step %} ## **ST1: Sustainability in Business Strategy**


Maximum Score	2 Points	Static
Validation	Evidence and other answer are manually validated
Control dependent?	No

**Does the entity incorporate sustainability in its overall business strategy?**

### Assessment Instructions

Intent: What is the purpose of this indicator?

This indicator assesses whether the entity incorporates sustainability into its overall business strategy, including integration across key strategic and operational elements (e.g., goal setting, risk management, operating budget, capital planning, partnerships, etc). Embedding sustainability in these areas supports timely and consistent decision-making and helps manage risks and capture opportunities in line with the entity’s long-term objectives.

Input: How do I complete this indicator?

Select ‘**Yes**’ or ‘**No**’. If 'Yes', select all applicable sub-options. **Other:** State the other elements into which sustainability has been integrated. Ensure that the other answer provided is not a duplicate of the selected option above. *** #### Terminology **Acquisitions / Divestitures** > The integration of sustainability considerations into asset-level acquisition and disposal decisions, including the evaluation of environmental and social factors (e.g., energy, climate risks, and operational efficiency) to inform due diligence and asset strategy. **Capital Planning** > The integration of sustainability considerations into capital allocation and investment decisions, including the evaluation and prioritization of projects based on sustainability factors. **Marketing and communications** > The integration of sustainability considerations into external communications, ensuring alignment between sustainability commitments, performance, and messaging. **Operation Budget** > The allocation of financial resources within operational budgets to support sustainability initiatives, activities, or ongoing performance management. Dedicated full-time equivalents (FTEs) may also be accepted as a proxy for operational resource allocation. **Partnerships** > The incorporation of sustainability considerations into collaborations with external stakeholders, including suppliers, clients, or industry partners, to achieve sustainability objectives. **Regulatory compliance** > The incorporation of sustainability-related laws, regulations, and standards into business processes and decision-making to ensure compliance and manage regulatory risk. **Research and development** > The integration of sustainability considerations into the design and prioritization of innovation and development activities. **Risk Management** > The understanding and mitigation of material sustainability risks and opportunities. **Strategy Goal Setting** > The establishment of sustainability goals informed by material environmental, social, and governance related issues, risk assessments, or performance data, aimed at improving specific sustainability factors and/or overall operational performance.

Validation: What evidence is required?

#### **Evidence** The evidence provided will be subject to manual validation. **The provided evidence must cover the following elements**: 1. Clearly demonstrate strategies on all selected issues. * Explicitly address the sustainability aspect of each selected strategy. * Demonstrate that sustainability is incorporated into the entity’s broader business strategy, rather than being addressed only through a standalone ESG policy or isolated initiative. #### **Other Answer** The other answer(s) provided will be subject to manual validation. State the other element into which sustainability has been integrated and ensure that the element is a formal component of the entity’s overall business strategy. {% hint style="warning" %} Other answer cannot be a duplicate of a previously selected option. Multiple Other answers are acceptable, but only one will count toward the score. {% endhint %}

### Scoring

Scoring: How does GRESB score this indicator?

The scoring of this indicator is equal to the fraction assigned to the selected option, multiplied by the total score of the indicator. **Evidence:** For selections subject to manual validation, the validation status acts as a multiplier to determine that selection's final score. If any requirements are not met, the evidence may not be accepted, depending on the level of alignment with the requirements. | Validation status | Multiplier | | ----------------- | ---------- | | Accepted | 1 | | Not Accepted | 0 | **Other:** The 'Other' answer is manually validated and assigned a score, which is used as a multiplying factor, as per the table below: | Validation status | Score | | ----------------- | ----- | | Accepted | 1 | | Not Accepted | 0 | | Duplicate | 0 | Scoring Basics

{% endstep %} {% endstepper %} ***

Text	Section Navigation Pane
	Entity & Reporting Characteristics	Management	Material Issues	Innovation

[^1]: **Static:** The score for this indicator is always fixed. Does not change based on whether Operational and/or New Development sections are selected. [^2]: **Not-dependent:** This indicator's contribution to the Control-Adjusted Score is fixed and the same as its Base Score. [^3]: **Not-dependent:** This indicator's contribution to the Control-Adjusted Score is fixed and the same as its Base Score. **Control-dependent:** This indicator's contribution to the Control-Adjusted Score is variable and dependent on the Module's reported control. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://guides.gresb.com/data-center-assessment/2.-completing-gresb-assessment/data-center-assessment/management/strategy.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.