Office buildings — which account for some 20 percent of US greenhouse gas emissions, according to Building Owners and Managers Association International — can curb their GHGs by implementing seven sustainability strategies, Buildings.com reports.
- Look into demand response and other energy efficiency incentive programs offered by your local utility company.
- Share your strategies with your business community via a chamber of commerce presentation.
- Benchmark your building’s energy and water consumption using the EPA’s Energy Star Portfolio Manager benchmarking tool. Encourage other building owners to do the same by making it a citywide competition.
- Support incentive-based energy legislation that makes retrofits and upgrades more affordable for business owners — or lobby for such legislation is none exists.
- Host a recycling event where tenants and the community at large can drop off used batteries, LED bulbs and the like.
- Institute a tenant energy awareness program and alert tenants to goals and tips on low- and no-cost efficiency strategies through your company newsletter and/or building announcements.
- Offer bicycle storage in your building because fewer cars means less GHGs.
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