New Policy Emphasizes Responsible and Sustainable Practices
The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International is calling on real estate owners and property managers to take an active role in implementing responsible energy consumption practices. The policy on green buildings and sustainability was approved by the BOMA Board of Governors at the association’s June 2005 annual convention.
Real estate management teams, in conjunction with building occupants, can have a positive impact on the environment through a strong commitment to implement a number of green buildings initiatives such as current government programs; management of hazardous waste and environmental risks; establishment of emergency response, recycling, water and energy conservation plans; ensurance of a healthy indoor air quality; implementation of “green” purchasing practices; and the encouragement of public transportation and carpooling programs, stated BOMA’s green buildings policy.
“The policy is a clear indicator that BOMA International is committed to taking a leadership position in advocating environmentally-friendly building initiatives,” said BOMA International Chairman and Chief Elected Officer David W. Hewett, CCIM, CPM, RPA, CFM, FMA, Trammell Crow Company. “Commercial office buildings are significant consumers of energy resources, but we can greatly reduce their environmental impact through the implementation of green building practices.”
BOMA International recently joined the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to challenge building managers to reduce their energy consumption by 10 percent in conjunction with the agency’s Energy Star program. The BOMA Energy Efficiency Program (BEEP) is a new program designed to further assist building managers in streamlining their energy plans. Since 2001, BOMA International has presented the annual Earth Award (/Membership/Awards/earthawards/) to honor and recognize the positive environmental operations building management teams achieve in preserving the internal and external environments of their properties
While BOMA has been a catalyst in energy efficiency efforts, the policy calls for the association to increase that role through educating its members on green buildings, monitoring and advocating in the legislative, regulatory and codes arena on green buildings issues, promoting environmental stewardship, and recognizing excellence.
According to the EPA, commercial and institutional buildings use about $80 billion worth of energy each year and contribute about 20 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. The agency estimates that if each building owner met the challenge to cut energy use by 10 percent, in ten years they would reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the emissions from 15 million cars while saving about $10 billion each year collectively.
More details on BOMA International’s environmental policies can be found at www.boma.org/Advocacy/FederalLegislativeRegulatoryIssues/Environment. For more information on the Energy Star program, visit www.energystar.gov.
During its meeting last month, BOMA’s Board of Governors also approved policies on banks in real estate and association health plans, and amended its position on abandoned cabling.
(/Advocacy/PositionPapers/)
Founded in 1907, the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International is a dynamic international federation of more than 100 local associations. The 19,000-plus members of BOMA International own or manage more than 9 billion square feet of downtown and suburban commercial properties and facilities in North America and abroad. BOMA’s mission is to enhance the human, intellectual and physical assets of the commercial real estate industry through advocacy, education, research, standards and information. For more information, please visit the BOMA International Web site at www.boma.org.
For Immediate Release
July 20, 2005
Contact: Brian Lonergan, (202) 326-6315, blonergan@boma.org