VTG earns top marks in GRESB sustainability ranking

GRESB (Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark) is the leading international rating system that specifically aims to measure the sustainability performance of companies and funds in the real estate and infrastructure sectors. With its benchmark, the American-Dutch institute compares participating companies and assesses their sustainability performance in seven categories: management, policy & disclosure, management of risks and opportunities, monitoring & environment management system (EMS), certifications, stakeholder engagement and performance indicators. The extensive assessment criteria are updated every year and aligned with international reporting standards, goals and specifications.

The so-called GRESB score resulting from the weighting of the seven categories plays an important role in increasing the transparency of companies’ sustainability-related efforts and enabling them to be compared. “We are delighted not only that VTG is making a significant contribution to developing eco-friendly transport concepts for our customers with our business model and innovative solutions, but also that it succeeded in making an outstanding impression during its first time participating in the GRESB rating,” said Oksana Janssen, Chief Operating Officer Eurasia & Far East at VTG. “Our commitment to environmental, social and governance issues has been awarded a 5-star rating, the highest possible score.” 

What’s more, VTG ranked 20th among 556 companies in the “Management” category, 32nd among 551 companies in the “Performance” category, and 2nd in the peer group of a total of six Western European rail freight companies. “Society as a whole is facing major challenges: combating climate change, improving air quality, reducing noise pollution, and developing sustainable mobility concepts,” noted Sven Wellbrock, Chief Operating Officer Europe & Chief Safety Officer at VTG. “The rail system will be a key success factor in shaping a sustainable future.”

“Already back in October 2020, VTG very successfully placed corporate bonds on capital markets in the United States and Europe whose sustainability was certified by the Climate Bond Initiative – marking the first green private placement in the history of our company,” added Mark Stevenson, Chief Financial Officer at VTG. “With a GRESB ranking that places us among the top 4 percent of sustainable investments, we are underscoring VTG’s attractiveness to our financing partners, as we are also leading the way in the environmental, social and governance space.”