Green Resolutions

The USGBC’s LEED ® certification is a well-known standard for sustainability and may be one part of the Portfolio Action Plan. The USGBC administers the LEED certification program and represents a consortium of more than 11,000 corporations, government agencies and nonprofit, and 91,000 professionals from the real estate industry (including architects, engineers, contractors, designers, and consultants). LEED certification provides an objective, third-party approach to the creation and maintenance of sustainable environments. Both newly constructed buildings and existing buildings are eligible for LEED certification. Each building is evaluated and assigned points, which determine the level of LEED certification awarded: Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum. Points are awarded in five areas:

• Site sustainability
• Water efficiency
• And atmosphere
• Materials and resources
• Indoor environmental quality

LEED certified buildings are 25–30 percent more energy efficient than conventional buildings, and the premium can often be made up in energy savings, attracting commercial tenants and tenant retention.

Should a Client choose to apply for LEED certification, GRES can assist the Clients through the entire certification process working as a LEED agent for interacting with USGBC.

The Energy Star program is an initiative of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy to assist citizens and businesses to save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices. Office buildings that earn the Energy Star label typically use about 35 percent less energy than average buildings.