20 September 2009
Economic Benefits of Green Office Buildings
Sep/23/2009 15:27
University of California Energy Institute
Center for the Study of Energy Markets (University of California, Multi-Campus Research Unit)
Doing Well By Doing Good? Green Office Buildings
From the Executive Summary
“This paper provides the first credible evidence on the economic value of the certification of “green buildings” – value derived from impersonal market trans- actions rather than engineering estimates. For some 10,000 subject and control buildings, we match publicly available information on the addresses of Energy Star and LEED-rated office buildings to the characteristics of these buildings, their rental rates and selling prices. We find that buildings with a “green rat- ing” command rental rates that are roughly three percent higher per square foot than otherwise identical buildings – controlling for the quality and the specific location of office buildings. Ceteris paribus, premiums in effective rents are even higher – above six percent. Selling prices of green buildings are higher by about 16 percent.” For the full report http://repositories.cdlib.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1097&context=ucei/csem
Center for the Study of Energy Markets (University of California, Multi-Campus Research Unit)
Doing Well By Doing Good? Green Office Buildings
From the Executive Summary
“This paper provides the first credible evidence on the economic value of the certification of “green buildings” – value derived from impersonal market trans- actions rather than engineering estimates. For some 10,000 subject and control buildings, we match publicly available information on the addresses of Energy Star and LEED-rated office buildings to the characteristics of these buildings, their rental rates and selling prices. We find that buildings with a “green rat- ing” command rental rates that are roughly three percent higher per square foot than otherwise identical buildings – controlling for the quality and the specific location of office buildings. Ceteris paribus, premiums in effective rents are even higher – above six percent. Selling prices of green buildings are higher by about 16 percent.” For the full report http://repositories.cdlib.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1097&context=ucei/csem
0 Comments
NEO Rain Harvesting
Sep/22/2009 10:15
The NEO Rain Harvest Project
Since installing four rain barrels on my home in May, I have estimated that these barrels have supported the redirection of nearly 3000 gallons of water. With a rainy fall season and then spring, I can imagine that this number will double by the first anniversary of their installation.
Ever since the installation and the succeeding use, I have been amazed at the ease of this process. I did to not harbor any fantasies about a significant reduction in my water bill nor do I think that this can replace regular water usage. My motivation for the installation was purely out of redirection out of the sewer system. This motivation was confirmed while watching The Return of the Cuyahoga on Ideastream.
http://www.wviz.org/index.php/WVIZ/programming/the_return_of_the_cuyahoga/
Last week I learned more about the NEORSD’s Stormwater management plan. While I applaud these efforts, it also made me think that to a certain degree it enables the current behaviors and our current relationship with our water assets. Did you know that based on 2007 Census data of 620,000 residencies in NEO, that if just 2% (12,000 homes) of the population implemented a single rain barrel that was emptied five times throughout the year – we could redirect close to 3.5 million gallons of stormwater. This does not include any efforts into the commercial market.
I have thought all summer on how to take this interest and push it to the Northeast Ohio community. As a marketing professional in the sustainability field, I am constantly looking for ways to translate the benefits of sustainability on behalf of my clients. I am also aware that the challenge for all of us is penetrating the mainstream culture and promoting behavioral changes that do not alienate or turn off skeptics in the community.
Based on our water assets and their environmental history – would it not be a monumental achievement to be the national leader on stormwater redirection. In my mind it would be the ultimate symbol of rebirth of the Cuyahoga River.
Two concepts have come to my mind that could be a springboard for further action. The objectives of each are simple from a business marketing standpoint. Find market entry points and use communication techniques that are easily quantifiable and measurable.
The first is a progressive rain harvesting education program aimed at the next generation of Northeast Ohio residents. The basics of the program include working with NEO school districts to develop a curriculum on the region’s water assets that would culminate in the students each receiving a rain barrel kit. This concept is currently in development and I have been able to attract interest of a few educational institutions in the program. A tangential benefit of this program would be the volume purchasing of the components of the kit.
In parallel with effort, a highly visible tool of measurement would be created based on field data and the annual NEORSD CSO statistics. Goals would be established for annual reductions and public and press announcements of annual measurements would be celebrated.
At this point I am not certain what organizational structure this initiative will take perhaps a non-profit (though I do believe we have an overabundance of non-profits already) or a beneficial corporation. My focus will be on making this work and not consuming resources that are better serving established non-profit groups.
Since installing four rain barrels on my home in May, I have estimated that these barrels have supported the redirection of nearly 3000 gallons of water. With a rainy fall season and then spring, I can imagine that this number will double by the first anniversary of their installation.
Ever since the installation and the succeeding use, I have been amazed at the ease of this process. I did to not harbor any fantasies about a significant reduction in my water bill nor do I think that this can replace regular water usage. My motivation for the installation was purely out of redirection out of the sewer system. This motivation was confirmed while watching The Return of the Cuyahoga on Ideastream.
http://www.wviz.org/index.php/WVIZ/programming/the_return_of_the_cuyahoga/
Last week I learned more about the NEORSD’s Stormwater management plan. While I applaud these efforts, it also made me think that to a certain degree it enables the current behaviors and our current relationship with our water assets. Did you know that based on 2007 Census data of 620,000 residencies in NEO, that if just 2% (12,000 homes) of the population implemented a single rain barrel that was emptied five times throughout the year – we could redirect close to 3.5 million gallons of stormwater. This does not include any efforts into the commercial market.
I have thought all summer on how to take this interest and push it to the Northeast Ohio community. As a marketing professional in the sustainability field, I am constantly looking for ways to translate the benefits of sustainability on behalf of my clients. I am also aware that the challenge for all of us is penetrating the mainstream culture and promoting behavioral changes that do not alienate or turn off skeptics in the community.
Based on our water assets and their environmental history – would it not be a monumental achievement to be the national leader on stormwater redirection. In my mind it would be the ultimate symbol of rebirth of the Cuyahoga River.
Two concepts have come to my mind that could be a springboard for further action. The objectives of each are simple from a business marketing standpoint. Find market entry points and use communication techniques that are easily quantifiable and measurable.
The first is a progressive rain harvesting education program aimed at the next generation of Northeast Ohio residents. The basics of the program include working with NEO school districts to develop a curriculum on the region’s water assets that would culminate in the students each receiving a rain barrel kit. This concept is currently in development and I have been able to attract interest of a few educational institutions in the program. A tangential benefit of this program would be the volume purchasing of the components of the kit.
In parallel with effort, a highly visible tool of measurement would be created based on field data and the annual NEORSD CSO statistics. Goals would be established for annual reductions and public and press announcements of annual measurements would be celebrated.
At this point I am not certain what organizational structure this initiative will take perhaps a non-profit (though I do believe we have an overabundance of non-profits already) or a beneficial corporation. My focus will be on making this work and not consuming resources that are better serving established non-profit groups.