Green / Sustainable Buildings use processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout its life-cycle.  Green buildings are designed to reduce the overall impact of the built environment on human health and the natural environment by:

• Efficiently using energy, water, and other resources
• Protecting occupant health and improving employee productivity
• Reducing waste, pollution and environmental degradation

Why You Should Care

BOMA International believes that reducing energy consumption and taking other steps to “green” existing buildings helps drive ROI, keeps properties competitive with new construction, and benefits tenants and the environment.

Consider these statistics:  The commercial office building industry spends approximately $24 billion annually on energy and contributes 18 percent of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions.  Energy represents the single largest operating expense for office buildings - typically a third of variable expenses.

How to Get Started

Be certain that you and your staff are speaking the same language.  Participate in the BOMA Energy Efficiency Program (BEEP).   Consider making the series a part of your staff meetings.

Accept The 7-Point Challenge:

1.   Continue to work towards a goal to decrease energy consumption by 30 percent across your portfolios by 2012 – as measured against an “average building” measuring a 50 on the ENERGY STAR® benchmarking tool in 2007;
2.   At least once a year, benchmark your energy performance and water usage through EPA’s ENERGY STAR benchmarking tool (and share your results with BOMA);
3.   Provide education to your managers, engineers, and others involved in building operations, to ensure that equipment is properly maintained and utilized;
4.   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;
5.   Extend equipment life by improving the operations and maintenance of building systems and ensure equipment is operating as designed;
6.   Through leadership, positively impact your community and your planet by helping to reduce your industry’s role in global warming; and
7.   Position yourself and the industry as leaders and solution providers to owners and tenants seeking environmental and operational excellence.

Visit The Green (Green Resource Energy & Environment Network) to learn more and view other opportunities.  

Benchmark your building(s) using the EPA Portfolio Manager – You cannot improve what you do not measure!  Be sure to share your results with BOMA International.  

You may want to participate in the ENERGY STAR Real Estate Workshop Series to get you started.  

Want to know if there are funding sources for energy management projects?  Check out the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE).

See 40 Earth-Friendly Tips (in honor of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day) to help commercial real estate professionals optimize building performance by using these low-cost solutions.

See 100 Tips and Strategies to help Property Professionals Go Green.

Learn More about Recycling in Cuyahoga County.

Learn More about Recycling in Lake County.

Learn More about Recycling in Lorain County.

Learn More about Recycling in Geauga County.

BOMA Greater Cleveland and the Cleveland Chapter of the USGBC try to coordinate our Green efforts as regularly as possible.  

Green City Blue Lake is housed at the sustainability center of The Cleveland Museum of Natural History to leverage the scientific expertise and educational resources of the Museum.

Learn more about Sustainable Cleveland 2019 and The City of Cleveland Office of Sustainability.