by Brianna Crandall — May 13, 2015—The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International, a federation of 91 BOMA U.S. associations and 17 international affiliates, recently issued its “Top Seven Strategies” that commercial real estate professionals can implement in their buildings to become sustainability leaders in their communities. With energy use in commercial buildings accounting for nearly 20 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, BOMA has committed to helping its members and the industry as a whole improve energy management and sustainability practices.
In keeping with the Earth Day 2015 theme of “It’s Our Turn to Lead,” BOMA offered these seven practical ways commercial real estate professionals can demonstrate leadership in sustainability throughout the year:
- Benchmark. Measuring current performance is the first step towards improving future performance. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager benchmarking tool is a secure, easy way to benchmark a building’s energy and water consumption.
- Get a Tune-Up. Make sure the building is operating at maximum efficiency by performing regular checks of building systems and equipment. Leaky windows and ducts, uninsulated hot water tanks and pipes, badly calibrated thermostats, and old or dirty air filters can cause significant energy waste.
- Audit the Waste Stream. A waste audit of the building can help determine what is being discarded that could be recycled and allow equipment, procedures and training to be adjusted accordingly. Of course, reducing the amount of material that enters the building in the first place is the simplest way to cut waste.
- Clean Green. Make sure the cleaning service is using green products and practices throughout the building. Green cleaning also can significantly improve indoor air quality.
- Lighten Up. Interior lighting is one of the single largest controllable energy costs in a commercial building. Replace incandescent bulbs with more efficient LED bulbs, dim lights in naturally lit areas, and use automatic controls to turn lights off when spaces are not in use.
- “Green” the Lease. A well-crafted green lease can empower tenants to take a larger role in energy management. Creating clear guidelines and expectations allow property owners, managers and tenants to work together to save money, conserve resources and ensure efficient building operations.
- Go Further. Already have the previous six practices in place? Take some time to research next-level green measures that can enhance the building, such as using a grey water irrigation system, providing secure bicycle storage for cycling commuters, installing solar panels, or planting a rooftop garden.
BOMA International offers the strategies as part of its own continued CRE industry leadership in the area of sustainability. EPA recently recognized BOMA with the 2015 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award for Sustained Excellence—the eighth time BOMA has been recognized with the award. BOMA International remains the only commercial real estate association to have received this honor. In 2009, BOMA also received the Climate Protection Award, EPA’s highest honor.
