Key Takeaways
- • UPP scored 98.4 in the 2026 GRESB assessment, ranking first among student accommodation providers and earning a four-star rating that places it in the top 25% of global infrastructure asset owners.
- • UPP reported a fifth consecutive year of gas use reduction, supported by a £7.8 million investment that lowered electricity consumption.
- • Water usage fell 10% through leak repairs, and the company achieved a 44% recycling rate on additional waste streams.
- • UPP's next phase centers on heat pump installations, solar PV expansion and sustainable campus development, including a Passivhaus and BREEAM 'Excellent' student residence with the University of Exeter.
Summary
UPP has secured the top position among student accommodation providers in the 2026 Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) assessment, scoring 98.4 and earning a four-star rating, according to the company's announcement. The result places UPP in the top 25% of global infrastructure asset owners assessed by the benchmark, which evaluates environmental, social and governance performance across real asset portfolios.
The company attributes its performance to a series of operational improvements. UPP recorded a fifth consecutive year of reduced gas use and invested £7.8 million in measures that lowered electricity consumption. Water usage declined by 10% following leak repair programs, and the company achieved a 44% recycling rate on additional waste streams.
Looking ahead, UPP's strategy focuses on infrastructure upgrades, including heat pump installations and expansion of solar photovoltaic capacity. The company is also pursuing sustainable campus development, including one of Europe's largest Passivhaus and BREEAM 'Excellent' certified student residences, being delivered in partnership with the University of Exeter.
The company attributes its performance to a series of operational improvements. UPP recorded a fifth consecutive year of reduced gas use and invested £7.8 million in measures that lowered electricity consumption. Water usage declined by 10% following leak repair programs, and the company achieved a 44% recycling rate on additional waste streams.
Looking ahead, UPP's strategy focuses on infrastructure upgrades, including heat pump installations and expansion of solar photovoltaic capacity. The company is also pursuing sustainable campus development, including one of Europe's largest Passivhaus and BREEAM 'Excellent' certified student residences, being delivered in partnership with the University of Exeter.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.