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IVBN, the association for Dutch institutional investors operating in the real estate sector, is the latest player to join GRESB, the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark based in Amsterdam.

IVBN’s membership includes large Dutch pension funds, insurance companies, banks and both listed and non-listed real estate funds and companies.

IVBN joins a string of new members based in the Netherlands including Triodos Real Estate Fund, Robeco and CBRE Global Investors. Other large players which have become members in recent months include the Townsend Group and Credit Suisse AG, Real Estate Asset Management.

The Townsend Group is a major global player with over $140 bn in assets under advisement as of 31 December 2012. Credit Suisse AG, Real Estate Asset Management is the second largest property fund manager in Europe and the 10th largest globally with over €30 bn in direct real estate under management.

The other new members are all leading asset managers with a growing emphasis on sustainability investing. With over €189 bn assets under management, Robeco has led the way in sustainability investing since 1999 when it launched its first dedicated sustainable investment fund.

Triodos Investment Management is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dutch bank Triodos, a global leader in Impact Investment. Its involvement in the real estate sector is based on a unique, ‘full spectrum’ approach to sustainability based on the organization’s four guiding principles: People, Planet, Profit and Project.

The Triodos Real Estate Fund is the first sustainable listed closed-end property fund in Europe. The Fund focuses on commercial real estate, which includes offices, industrial property and retail.

Earlier this year GRESB welcomed CBRE Global Investors as a new member. CBRE Clarion Securities and Global Multi Manager programmes also fall under the membership.

CBRE Global Investors is one of the world’s largest real estate investment management firms with $90.7 bn in assets under management (as at 31 March 2013).