Report Finds Commercial Property Continues to Become Energy Efficient

The commercial real estate industry is making progress in reducing energy consumption, carbon emissions and water usage in their properties, according to a new report from the Urban Land Institute's (ULI) Greenprint Center for Building Performance.

 

In an analysis of nearly 8,700 properties, the ULI found a 3.4-percent reduction in energy consumption, a 3.3-percent reduction in carbon emissions, and a 4.3-percent reduction in water use between 2015 and 2016. Since the ULI began tracking this aspect of building performance in 2009, the energy consumed by members' properties has dropped 13.9 percent, carbon emissions have decreased 17.9 percent, and water usage has dropped by 12.1 percent. The new report marks the seventh consecutive year that properties tracked by the ULI have experienced improved building performance, even as occupancy rates continue to rise.

 

"To adapt to evolving environmental and climate-related vulnerabilities, building owners and policy makers are thinking about ways to protect against the possibility of eroding asset value," said Greenprint Chairman Emeritus Charles B. Leitner III. "Leaders in the real estate industry that have committed to mitigation and adaptation strategies are already benefiting from asset value preservation and creation."  

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