Tools and Resources

This paper from Maastricht University compares certified green buildings with nearby buildings and determines that buildings with green ratings command substantially higher rents and selling prices than otherwise comparable buildings. According to researchers, ENERGY STAR certified buildings command a rental premium of about 3%, have higher occupancy, and bring in a 16% premium on selling prices.

This report from the Institute for Market Transformation examines how mandatory rating and disclosure policies can help achieve real progress in reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in U.S. commercial buildings. Using best practices in current policies, this paper lays out a policy framework for maximizing the market transformation potential of rating commercial buildings.

This report by the Institute for Market Transformation shows how a new kind of energy policy is creating skilled, export-proof jobs in cities across the United States. Under this type of policy, called building energy rating and disclosure, owners of large buildings track exactly how much energy their properties use. Armed with this information, they can make changes that reduce their utility bills and those of their tenants—helping everyone’s bottom line. Within the report are profiles of business leaders who are adding jobs and expanding their client rosters.

This report from the Green Building Finance Consortium demonstrates that investing in energy efficiency enhances value in your real estate portfolios. This report takes a look at the growing demand for more efficient buildings, sales prices, lease rates and occupancy rates. It also provides real estate investors with academic and industry research, key steps, and best practices for integrating energy efficiency across your portfolios.

This report by the Institute for Market Transformation is intended to serve as a guide for policymakers and multifamily stakeholders on benchmarking and disclosure rules and regulations. It provides an introduction to the multifamily housing sector, followed by a thorough review of existing benchmarking and disclosure policies and an assessment of continuing policy challenges and opportunities.

What are the cost benefits to building green? This report from Springer Science + Business Media answers the question by exploring the relationship between green building design and leasing, as well as sales markets for commercial real estate. Energy efficient design can cost more, but it results in higher occupancy, rents, and selling prices for your ENERGY STAR certified projects.

IEO provides lighting design and build for Kimberly Clark Berkley Mill, saving $160,000 annually.

This report defines responsible property investing (RPI) as including facets such as investing in ENERGY STAR certified properties, transit-oriented development, and redevelopment areas. It shows that investors could have purchased a portfolio consisting solely of RPI office properties over the past 10 years and had performance that was better, at less risk, than a portfolio of properties without RPI features. The paper then breaks down the ways that various RPI features impact income, property values, capitalization rates, price appreciation and total returns.