BOMA Int'l 7-Point Challenge to Reduce Energy Consumption Reaches 100 Endorsers
October 11, 2008 // Published as a news service by IHS
The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International announced that its Market Transformation Energy Plan and 7-Point Challenge initiative reached 100 endorsers.
The 7-Point Challenge urges commercial real estate organizations to improve energy efficiency across their portfolios by 30% by 2012.
According to BOMA, the challenge demonstrates commercial real estate's commitment to voluntarily reduce energy consumption to improve operational performance and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
BOMA International introduced its Market Transformation Energy Plan, which includes the 7-Point Challenge, to its members in July 2007 as a strategy to reduce the use of natural resources, nonrenewable energy sources and waste production in commercial buildings.
The goals of the plan include decreasing energy consumption by 30% across portfolios by 2012 (in comparison to an average building scoring a 50 in the Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] Energy Star), benchmarking energy performance and water usage through the Energy Star benchmarking tool and providing education to building owners and operators and others involved in building operations to ensure that equipment is properly operated and maintained.
"We are thrilled that the marketplace is embracing the 7-Point Challenge as property professionals take proactive, voluntary steps to reduce energy consumption," said Richard D. Purtell, BOMA International chair and chief elected officer.
"These 100 endorsers understand that optimizing energy performance is important to the triple bottom line - people, planet and profit - and we only expect the momentum to continue to grow," Purtell said.
The points in the challenge include the following:
- Continue to work toward a goal to decrease energy consumption by 30% across portfolios by 2012 - as measured against an average building measuring a 50 on the Energy Star benchmarking tool in 2007.
- At least once a year, benchmark energy performance and water usage through the EPA Energy Star benchmarking tool (and share results with BOMA).
- Provide education to managers, engineers and others involved in building operations, to ensure that equipment is properly maintained and used.
- Perform an energy audit and/or retro-commissioning of your building, and implement low-risk, low-cost and cost-effective strategies to improve energy efficiency with high returns.
- Extend equipment life by improving the operations and maintenance of building systems and ensure equipment is operating as designed.
- Through leadership, positively affect the community and the planet by helping to reduce your industry's role in global warming.
- Position yourself and the industry as leaders and solution providers to owners and tenants seeking environmental and operational excellence.
For more information on the BOMA 7-Point Challenge, visit http://www.boma.org/AboutBOMA/7pointchallenge.
Source: Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International.