The Impact Edit: Can a Building Have an ESG Score?
Not exactly—but here’s what you need to know.
This comes up a lot in project conversations:
“How do we quantify our building’s ESG performance?”
“Can something like lighting design be scored in an ESG framework?”
And honestly, I love that instinct. ESG scores—like the ones from MSCI or Sustainalytics—give us that sense of certainty. A number. A benchmark. A dashboard, even.
But when it comes to buildings? It’s… not quite that neat.
So here’s the short answer: No, buildings don’t get ESG scores. Yes, they’re absolutely being evaluated through an ESG lens—now more than ever.
There’s No One Score—But There Is a Growing Expectation
Buildings don’t get handed an “A+ in governance” or a “C– in community impact.” There’s no ESG GPA.
But let’s be very clear: real estate is no longer exempt from scrutiny. In fact, ESG thinking has quietly reshaped how we value buildings.
It’s not just about location anymore. It’s about performance. Impact. Resilience. And all of that is shaping how projects are priced, regulated, remembered.
So if you’re working in the built environment, it’s worth asking: What does ESG look like when we’re not talking about companies, but places?
From ESG to Responsibility
The term “ESG” has gotten… heavy.
It’s a political football. A corporate buzzword. A checkbox.
But if you strip the acronym down, what are we really saying?
That buildings should serve people and planet—not harm them.
Responsibility in design and development isn’t some abstract thing. It’s about decisions that ripple across time and space—from the worker inhaling silica dust, to the neighbor losing green space, to the tenant paying the utility bill five years from now.
The most honest questions aren’t:
“Did we get certified?” They’re: “Is this building improving lives?” “Is it reducing harm?” “Was it worth the resources we pulled from the earth to build it?”
Because at the end of the day, a building is a relationship—with its users, its neighbors, and the planet.
ESG for Buildings: A Breakdown
There’s no single ESG score—but there are frameworks, metrics, and choices that tell a layered story. Here’s how it breaks down:
Environmental Responsibility (The “E”)
This one’s the most developed—most of the certifications live here.
Energy use: How efficient is the building, really?
Carbon: What’s the operational and embodied footprint?
Water: Are we going beyond low-flow and thinking circular? Waste: Are we managing it—or just checking the “recycling” box? Materials: Are we using regenerative, local, low-tox options—or just what was cheapest?
Common tools: LEED, ENERGY STAR, BREEAM, Living Building Challenge
Social Responsibility (The “S”)
The most urgent—and often the most overlooked.
Health + wellbeing: Air quality. Natural light. Thermal comfort.
Accessibility: Who’s this space really designed for?
Community impact: Are we supporting or displacing?
Safety: For workers? Residents? Visitors?
Supply chain ethics: Who made your furnishings—and how were they treated?
Construction labor: Fair pay? Safe jobs? Inclusive hiring?
Facility staff: Are the people maintaining this building safe, respected, heard?
👉 This is where Liveable comes in. We help teams bring clarity, strategy, and accountability to the “S.”
Governance (The “G”)
You can’t see this in the concrete—but it holds everything up.
Compliance: Are you just meeting code—or setting a new standard?
Transparency: Are you telling the truth—or hiding behind jargon?
Decision-making: Who’s in the room when decisions are made?
Resilience: What happens when the power goes out?
Good governance is about a culture of stewardship—not just policy.
So... How Are Buildings Rated Then?
There’s no ESG score, but there are signals that matter:
Real estate companies, REITs, corporate sustainability teams, and asset managers often reference certification systems to make the “E” and “S” of ESG tangible.
LEED helps quantify environmental impact—from energy and water to materials and site use—while WELL focuses on social outcomes like air quality, mental health, and occupant wellbeing. ILFI takes it a step further by offering the highest bar for regenerative design and ethical sourcing.
These systems don’t replace ESG frameworks like GRI or SASB—they complement them. Think of them as proof points that your projects aren’t just claiming sustainability or equity—they’re being measured against it, audited, and verified. Including them in ESG reports helps bridge the gap between high-level strategy and on-the-ground performance.
The Bigger Picture
A building’s value is no longer just square footage or zip code. It’s also:
“Does this space foster belonging?” “Does it regenerate or deplete?” “Can it adapt to needs we haven’t anticipated yet?”
You might not see an ESG score on your appraisal—yet.
But trust me: investors, insurers, tenants, regulators? They’re already factoring it in.
What You Can Do Next
Whether you're a developer, a designer, an asset manager, or a facilities lead—here’s where to begin:
✅ Benchmark your current performance
✅ Choose the frameworks that match your values and your goals
✅ Set measurable targets
✅ Track and review (regularly!)
✅ Communicate results clearly and openly
✅ Make improvement a part of your culture—not an afterthought
How Liveable Can Help
We work across the project lifecycle to:
Clarify what social impact actually looks like in your work—from labor and health to equity and community
Choose the right frameworks for your goals, whether that’s WELL, GRESB, or internal KPIs that actually mean something
Turn impact into influence through clear, credible storytelling—reports, guides, campaigns, whatever your audience needs
Create thoughtful content for your tenants that shows, not just tells, how your project supports people and the planet
We bring together strategy, behavioral science, research, and storytelling—so the work you’re already doing gets the recognition and results it deserves.
The Conversation Continues...
This post is part of our ongoing exploration into how ESG thinking is reshaping the built environment—even without formal “scores.” As problem-solvers, we believe the best insights emerge when diverse perspectives meet. Have you encountered similar challenges or discovered different approaches? Share your story.
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We acknowledge that social sustainability is always a work in progress. These insights represent our current understanding, shaped by our partners, communities, and continuous learning