Summus Capital achieves high international ESG rating

Real estate investment holding company Summus Capital OÜ achieved 88.6 points out of 100 in GRESB, the international sustainability assessment for the real estate sector.

According to Hannes Pihl, Board Member of Summus Capital, ESG remains important to businesses and investors despite shifting political sentiment around the world.

“Meeting sustainability targets demonstrates that our real estate portfolio, worth 620 million euros across Poland and the Baltics, protects investors’ assets and offers businesses operating in Summus properties a good environment and reasonable costs. Investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency alone have generated 2.8 million euros in savings over recent years,” Pihl explained.

Summus scored 88.6 points out of 100 in this year’s GRESB assessment, seven points more than last year, raising its rating to four stars out of five. The result exceeds the overall average of 80.9 points among international participants in the assessment.

According to Meelis Šokman, Leading Partner at Green Formula Capital, which manages Summus’s ESG strategy, the aim of sustainability efforts is both to reduce the environmental impact of Summus’s portfolio and to make building operations more cost-efficient.

“Investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy and smarter property management help reduce energy consumption, thereby lowering utility bills and operating costs for both tenants and owners,” Šokman commented.

Šokman noted that further work lies ahead to optimise energy and water use. Summus will also continue expanding its use of renewable energy and improving emissions and waste management performance. Tenant and employee satisfaction surveys are also planned, with the feedback used to improve buildings and working practices.

GRESB, an international ESG assessment system for the real estate sector, provides investors with a benchmark for comparing the sustainability of property companies. Scores reflect buildings’ environmental performance, corporate management practices and supporting data. Stars indicate a company’s position relative to other assessment participants.

Summus received the maximum score in the building certifications category. These certifications assess factors including buildings’ environmental impact and conditions for occupants. Its four-star rating places Summus among the higher-rated participants. Over two years, the company’s GRESB score has increased from 71.4 to 88.6 points.