The regulatory environment for energy and sustainability in commercial property has changed dramatically in the past three years. Obligations that once applied only to the largest companies are moving down to mid-market portfolios. Reporting frameworks that were voluntary are becoming mandatory. And investors are asking questions that weren't on anyone's radar five years ago.
Here's a practical overview of what matters in 2025.
SECR — Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting
SECR has applied to large UK companies since 2019. If you meet two of three criteria (250+ employees, £36M+ turnover, £18M+ balance sheet), you're required to include energy and carbon data in your annual Directors' Report.
The key change in 2025: auditors are scrutinising SECR disclosures more closely, and institutional investors are using them as a benchmark. Vague statements about energy management no longer pass. You need underlying data that supports the numbers.
What you need: Total energy consumption by fuel type, Scope 1 and 2 emissions, an intensity metric, and a description of energy efficiency actions taken.
ESOS — Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme
ESOS Phase 3 compliance deadline has passed, but the obligation continues. Large organisations must conduct energy audits every four years. Phase 4 will require more detailed action plans and evidence of implementation.
What you need: An ESOS lead assessor, consumption data by building and fuel type for the reference period, and evidence that recommended actions have been considered.
MEES — Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards
For commercial property, the proposed trajectory tightens significantly. The current EPC E threshold is well-understood; the shift toward EPC B by 2030 is not yet law but is widely anticipated and planning for it is already standard in institutional portfolios.
What you need: An accurate EPC register, an understanding of which assets are at risk, and a capex plan for improvement works.
GRESB
The Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark is not a regulatory requirement, but it's become a de facto standard for institutional real estate. GRESB scores influence capital allocation decisions at major pension funds and sovereign wealth funds.
The 2025 assessment places greater weight on data coverage and quality. Funds that can demonstrate comprehensive metering, automated data collection, and third-party-verified consumption data score significantly better.
What you need: Meter-level consumption data, emissions calculations, and a documented data management process.
The common thread
Across all of these frameworks, the single most important factor is data quality. You cannot produce credible SECR disclosures, ESOS assessments, or GRESB submissions without accurate, auditable, asset-level energy data.
Getting that data — and keeping it current — is the infrastructure problem that Etainabl solves. Talk to us about how we support compliance across your portfolio.