Sustainability - Back to the Basics in Your Building

About this session:

The global sustainability movement has come to cover a very wide spectrum of initiatives over its evolution. From its early stages of topics such as aluminum can recycling to fuel economy it now includes high level carbon reduction efforts and renewable energy, developing into their own micro-economic engines. Highly marketable initiatives that grab headlines, attention and resources. Looking back to the basic concept of sustainability, there is a vast under-utilized area that for building owners could be an area of re-engagement – their buildings and the various systems and components that operate within. Not only are there numerous sustainable decisions made during the design process but for the life of the building there are consistent actions that can greatly enhance sustainability. Looking at millions of buildings this potential contribution is considerable. What is required? Like many initiatives, you need a plan. Knowing what you own through a sustainability assessment, its condition and the forecast of sustainable actions will increase service life, reducing repairs and replacements while delivering higher returns on those capital investments. Afterall, one of the multiple definitions for sustainability reads, “capability of a system to endure and maintain itself”. Tremendous opportunities to positively impact the planet, people and profitability exist within the millions of buildings already in existence. Its not the topic of attention-grabbing headlines, but it is very real.