Sponda ranks shared #1 globally and is named Global Sector Leader in the 2026 GRESB Real Estate Assessment
Sponda Ltd Press release 19. October 2026 at 10:30 a.m.
Sponda ranks shared #1 globally and is named Global Sector Leader in the 2026 GRESB Real Estate Assessment
Sponda, one of Finland’s leading real estate asset management companies, has once again achieved top rankings in the GRESB (Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark) Real Estate Assessment. Sponda secured the joint number one position in its global peer group (Mixed use) in the Development Benchmark and ranked number one in Europe in the Standing Investment Benchmark (Mixed use). In addition, Sponda was recognised as a Global Sector Leader in the Development Benchmark for the fourth consecutive year. GRESB is the leading global benchmark for assessing the environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance of real estate companies and funds.
Sponda has continued to advance its sustainability programme through ongoing investments in its properties and operations to improve environmental performance, as reflected in the company’s strong performance in this year’s GRESB assessment. In 2026, Sponda further improved its GRESB score, marking its 14th consecutive year of successful participation and continued improvement. This is the fifth consecutive year that Sponda has achieved Global Sector Leader status in the Development Benchmark and/or Standing Investments benchmarks, awarded to the top-performing entities in each sector.
Strong improvements in energy efficiency and reductions in emissions
“I’m proud that our long-term commitment to sustainability has been recognised through our strong GRESB performance. This reflects years of investment in energy efficiency and sustainable solutions across our portfolio. As sustainability is increasingly important in leasing decisions, these investments help us meet customer expectations and support their own sustainability ambitions. Signe, our premium office and retail property at Mannerheimintie 14 in Helsinki city centre, which is due for completion this year, exemplifies this through its strong sustainability credentials and high-quality building solutions valued by tenants,” says Sponda’s CEO, Christian Hohenthal.
“We have continued to reduce our energy consumption and emissions while further improving the energy performance ratings and certifications of our properties. This work is guided by Sponda’s climate and sustainability targets. Our strong progress in the GRESB assessment reflects the broad and continuous advancement of our sustainability work across environmental, social and governance (ESG) dimensions”, adds Pirkko Airaksinen, Head of ESG at Sponda.
Highlights from Sponda’s GRESB performance:
- Like-for-like greenhouse gas emissions reduced by 24% year-on-year, compared to 2024
- Like-for-like energy consumption reduced by 6% year-on-year, compared to 2024
- The highest Standing Investments score in its GRESB history was achieved (95.4/100, Regional Sector Leader in Europe) and a 100/100 score in the Development benchmark (Global Sector Leader) was maintained for the fourth consecutive year
Sponda’s top scores in the Development benchmark underscore the company’s long-term commitment to sustainable construction, as seen in its recent development project at Mannerheimintie 6 in Helsinki. The project’s objective is to minimise the carbon footprint of the refurbished property, generate renewable energy through its own solar power plant, and meet the requirements of LEED Platinum certification and the EU Taxonomy. Sponda promotes these same principles across all its development projects.
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Further information:
Anita Riikonen, Brand and Communications Manager
tel. +358 40 833 3804, anita.riikonen@sponda.fi
Sponda Ltd is one of Finland’s leading real estate asset management companies specialising in owning, managing, developing and letting commercial properties in the largest cities across the country. With a focus on customer-oriented solutions and high-quality properties, Sponda is actively developing best practice in the sector, enhancing the cityscape in a sustainable way and supporting its customers. www.sponda.fi/en.