ARGAN Achieves an Impressive First GRESB Rating
ARGAN, a prominent French real estate company focused on developing and renting premium warehouses, has marked a significant milestone in its commitment to sustainability. Recently, the company proudly announced that it has joined the GRESB benchmark—the leading rating agency in the real estate sector—securing an impressive rating of 83 out of 100 for its inaugural assessment. This rating not only reflects ARGAN's dedication to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices but also sets a high standard for future evaluations.
Understanding the GRESB Rating
The GRESB (Global ESG Benchmark for Real Assets) serves as a crucial benchmark for evaluating the ESG performance of real estate entities. For 2025, GRESB assessed ARGAN's progress based on achievements made throughout 2024. A score of 83 indicates a very good level, especially for a first-time assessment, emphasizing the company's proactive stance on ESG initiatives.
Key Highlights of ARGAN’s ESG Roadmap
ARGAN's commendable score can largely be attributed to strategic moves outlined in its 2023-2030 ESG roadmap. Here are some of the notable initiatives:
- Energy Consumption Reduction: ARGAN has successfully reduced its carbon emissions by 25% from its warehouses' energy usage between the baseline year of 2022 and the end of 2024.
- Innovation with Aut0nom® Warehouses: ARGAN has introduced the Aut0nom® warehouse, which uniquely generates its own green energy, allowing tenants to benefit from self-consumption. All new developments follow a systematic certification process, aiming for a "BREEAM Excellent" label.
- Commitment to ESG Governance: The company emphasizes robust ESG governance, ethical business practices, and the protection of human rights within the workplace.
Future Goals in Sustainability
More than half of ARGAN's portfolio has already achieved certification, but the company is not stopping there. It aims for all existing sites to attain a BREEAM "in-use" certification within the next five years, showcasing its ongoing commitment to sustainable practices.
Recognition of ARGAN's ESG Efforts
In addition to the GRESB rating, ARGAN's dedication to environmental sustainability has been recognized by the French State and BPI. This acknowledgment includes:
- Being awarded the “Companies Committed to Nature” label by the French Office for Biodiversity, recognizing the company’s efforts to enhance biodiversity on its properties.
- Joining the “Coq Vert” community set up by Bpifrance, along with ADEME and the French Ministry for the Ecological Transition. This partnership aligns ARGAN with over 3,000 other French enterprises committed to impactful climate actions.
About ARGAN
ARGAN stands as the only French real estate entity listed on EURONEXT that specializes in the development and rental of premium warehouses. The company has established itself as a leader in its market through its customer-centric approach, which ensures tailor-made services from development to rental management. As of mid-2025, ARGAN boasts a portfolio of approximately 3.7 million square meters comprising almost 100 warehouses across continental France. This portfolio, valued at around €4 billion, is projected to generate over €210 million in annual rental income.
Financial solidity, manageable debt, and sustainability form the core of ARGAN’s identity. The Group holds an Investment-grade rating of BBB- with a stable outlook from Standard & Poor’s, reflecting its robust business model. Furthermore, ARGAN consistently implements a dedicated ESG policy, garnering recognition from various third-party agencies such as Sustainalytics, Ethifinance, and Ecovadis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is GRESB and why is it important?
GRESB stands for Global ESG Benchmark for Real Assets, a benchmark that evaluates the ESG performance of real estate companies. It is important because it provides critical insights into a company's sustainability practices.
How did ARGAN achieve its GRESB rating?
ARGAN achieved its GRESB rating by implementing a robust ESG roadmap focused on reducing carbon emissions, innovating energy solutions, and enhancing governance practices within the company.
What initiatives are part of ARGAN’s ESG roadmap?
Key initiatives include reducing energy consumption, deploying Aut0nom® warehouses, and strengthening commitments to ESG governance and human rights.
What is the significance of the BREEAM certification for ARGAN?
BREEAM certification signifies that a building meets high environmental standards. ARGAN aims to have all its existing sites certified within five years, underscoring its commitment to sustainability.
Who can I contact for more information about ARGAN?
You can reach out to the Investor Relations team via email at contact@argan.fr for inquiries about the company’s performance and commitments.
