SAN FRANCISCO-Those who follow @GlobeStcom on Twitter and @GlobeStLIVE may have seen a post teasing the announcement, but GlobeSt.com has learned that in an effort to further its green and sustainability practices, locally-based Shorenstein Properties LLC has been recognized as having completed the Building Owners and Managers Association International's 7-Point Challenge.
BOMA recently concluded the five-year challenge, which encouraged commercial real estate companies to reduce their use of natural resources, non-renewable energy sources and waste production. Benchmarks in the 7-Point Challenge included: decreasing energy consumption by 30% across portfolios by 2012; employing the ENERGY STAR metrics to benchmark energy performance and water usage; providing education to engineers, owners and operators; performing energy audits to implement low-risk and low-cost strategies; and improving operations and building maintenance systems.
In addition, as part of the plan, BOMA asked members to work to position themselves as leaders and solution providers to owners, tenants and the greater community.
At the Challenge's conclusion, an evaluation of Shorenstein's performance demonstrated a 32% decrease in energy consumption across the company's national portfolio of office properties. To achieve the energy and environmental objectives of the 7-Point Challenge, Shorenstein's property and asset management teams:
- Conducted an “Energy Savings Tour”--an energy efficiency evaluation of all properties that resulted in a 5.1% decrease in energy use in 2011, the equivalent of taking more than 1,000 homes off the electric grid or 940 cars off the road.
- Designed and completed a “Flip the Switch” sustainability education program, targeting all tenants in all markets;
- Established eleven “G.R.E.E.N.” Initiatives specifically focused on improving building energy performance–these were in addition to the 28 initiatives related to non-energy related areas of sustainability;
Check back later today for more on additional steps the company has taken in the last 12 months, thoughts from Stan Roualdes, Executive Vice President for Property Management and Construction for the firm, and other companies that have been recognized by BOMA in this challenge.
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Natalie Dolce
Natalie Dolce, editor-in-chief of GlobeSt.com and GlobeSt. Real Estate Forum, is responsible for working with editorial staff, freelancers and senior management to help plan the overarching vision that encompasses GlobeSt.com, including short-term and long-term goals for the website, how content integrates through the company’s other product lines and the overall quality of content. Previously she served as national executive editor and editor of the West Coast region for GlobeSt.com and Real Estate Forum, and was responsible for coverage of news and information pertaining to that vital real estate region. Prior to moving out to the Southern California office, she was Northeast bureau chief, covering New York City for GlobeSt.com. Her background includes a stint at InStyle Magazine, and as managing editor with New York Press, an alternative weekly New York City paper. In her career, she has also covered a variety of beats for M magazine, Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel, FashionLedge.com, and Co-Ed magazine. Dolce has also freelanced for a number of publications, including MSNBC.com and Museums New York magazine.
