AUSTRALIA and New Zealand have been named the global leaders in sustainable real estate practices for the fifth consecutive year.
The 2015 GRESB report, based on the assessment of 707 property companies and private equity real estate funds worldwide, once again placed Australia and New Zealand at the top. 
GRESB, based in the Netherlands, is an industry-driven organisation which monitors the sustainability performance of global real estate portfolios.
This year's survey found the average GRESB score was 56, with scores based on environmental, social and governance factors.
Australia and New Zealand scored 69, well ahead of Asia (54), Europe (56) and North America (54).
Property Council of Australia chief executive Ken Morrison said the local industry should be proud of its achievements.
"Not only is our industry keeping the economy growing and providing jobs for more Australians than almost any other, we are doing it sustainably, ranking as the world's greenest property industry," said Mr Morrison.
"We are showing unheralded leadership when it comes to sustainability, regularly going well beyond what is required and, in the process, creating buildings, public spaces and communities of which future generations can also be proud." Three of the Property Council's corporate leader members - Stockland, Lendlease and The GPT Group - had been singled out in the GRESB report.
"(They) were all identified as regional sector leaders, and we congratulate them on relentlessly pushing the envelope and elevating sustainable practice to new heights," added Mr Morrison.
The GRESB report found 93 per cent of respondents have incorporated sustainability objectives into their business strategy and 91 per cent have introduced new construction measures to improve water efficiency.
It found in Australia and New Zealand, the inclusion of sustainability-specific clauses in leases has become mainstream.
"These clauses create tenant awareness and may positively influence tenant behaviour," the report says.
"As such, they contribute to realising tangible benefits such as energy and water savings, and improved productivity and occupant health and wellbeing.
"Moreover, clauses that include data sharing, reporting and information provision help owners to assess whole building performance rather than just base building." The report says investors are increasingly demanding reliable data about energy efficiency and sustainability to help guide their decision making."The demand for transparency on ESG (environmental, social and governance) issues will further drive the Australian and New Zealand real estate industry in improving their sustainability performance at the organisation, portfolio and asset level," it says.