CoreNet Global, a major international association for corporate real estate and workplace executives, has released a public policy statement advocating adoption of net-zero energy buildings: "We support the principle that smart and responsible energy policies and practices reduce corporate carbon footprints and greenhouse gas emissions, and we encourage our members' companies to drive energy efficiency to optimal levels with net-zero buildings as a top measure of long-term success."
The same statement calls on federal governments around the world to incentivize building owners, investors, and occupants who proactively reduce their carbon footprints through the use of green energy development and retrofits.
"Office, industrial, retail and other types of commercial real estate account for 40% of the world's annual energy consumption, making energy management and energy conservation socially responsible corporate practices," says CoreNet Global Chairman Jim Scannell, Senior Vice President of Administrative Services at The Travelers Companies, Inc.
The statement emphasizes "tangible benefits for companies and management teams which prioritize energy efficiency and take steps to reduce the carbon footprint. They will realize meaningful return on investment financially, socially and environmentally—as is consistent with the principles of the Triple Bottom Line accounting model."
CoreNet Global's Issues Advocacy Focus Group coordinated the wide-ranging statement based on extensive input from subject matter experts and the extensive, long-term documentation of best-in-class energy management practices from among its more than 7,900 members worldwide. It also marks the first time that corporate occupiers representing the demand side of the commercial real estate industry have spoken with a unified voice to advocate for public policy issues and corporate practices that impact business and society. In its 2012 Industry Leaders Opinion Poll, 90% of CRE executives who responded regard energy management as the most urgent issue facing the CRE industry.
"We're beginning to see the huge environmental, social and economic benefits that energy-independent facilities are offering," Scannell added.
A related finding from CoreNet Global's new Corporate Real Estate 2020 research initiative identifies one key enabler of the migration toward net-zero, predicting that buildings will become energy-producing "micro-grids" that can share electric power across public and private distribution networks.
Key action steps advocated for developers include articulating a clear and compelling vision for energy efficiency; working with energy suppliers and other pieces of the supply chain; and continuously measuring consumption and performance. Government programs advocated include tax deductions for energy-efficiency projects; a federal loan guarantee program for retrofits; state and local incentives that favor efficiency upgrades or retrofits; and updated building codes that reward companies for peak performance.
(http://bit.ly/UJe2Wb)
Related Stories
| Sep 22, 2010
Satellier, Potential + Semac close investment deal
Satellier, a world leader in providing CAD and Building Information Modeling (BIM) outsourced services to the architecture, engineering and construction industry, announces a strategic minority investment from India-based top engineering firm Potential + Semac, ushering in the next evolution of the global architecture support industry.
| Sep 21, 2010
New BOMA-Kingsley Report Shows Compression in Utilities and Total Operating Expenses
A new report from the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International and Kingsley Associates shows that property professionals are trimming building operating expenses to stay competitive in today’s challenging marketplace. The report, which analyzes data from BOMA International’s 2010 Experience Exchange Report® (EER), revealed a $0.09 (1.1 percent) decrease in total operating expenses for U.S. private-sector buildings during 2009.
| Sep 21, 2010
Forecast: Existing buildings to earn 50% of green building certifications
A new report from Pike Research forecasts that by 2020, nearly half the green building certifications will be for existing buildings—accounting for 25 billion sf. The study, “Green Building Certification Programs,” analyzed current market and regulatory conditions related to green building certification programs, and found that green building remain robust during the recession and that certifications for existing buildings are an increasing area of focus.
| Sep 21, 2010
Middough Inc. Celebrates its 60th Anniversary
Middough Inc., a top ranking U.S. architectural, engineering and management services company, announces the celebration of its 60th anniversary, says President and CEO, Ronald R. Ledin, PE.
| Sep 16, 2010
Gehry’s Santa Monica Place gets a wave of changes
Omniplan, in association with Jerde Partnership, created an updated design for Santa Monica Place, a shopping mall designed by Frank Gehry in 1980.
| Sep 16, 2010
Green recreation/wellness center targets physical, environmental health
The 151,000-sf recreation and wellness center at California State University’s Sacramento campus, called the WELL (for “wellness, education, leisure, lifestyle”), has a fitness center, café, indoor track, gymnasium, racquetball courts, educational and counseling space, the largest rock climbing wall in the CSU system.
| Sep 13, 2010
Community college police, parking structure targets LEED Platinum
The San Diego Community College District's $1.555 billion construction program continues with groundbreaking for a 6,000-sf police substation and an 828-space, four-story parking structure at San Diego Miramar College.