ULI Greenprint Center Releases Building Performance Report; Shows Reductions in Energy and Carbon Emissions in Properties Worldwide

For more information, contact: Trish Riggs at 202-624-7086

NEW YORK (September 29, 2015) – Over the past year, global real estate firms have reduced energy consumption in buildings by the equivalent of almost 280,000 barrels of oil and cut carbon emissions by the equivalent of removing 25,000 cars from the road, according to a new report, Greenprint Performance Report: Volume 6, released by the ULI Greenprint Center for Building Performance. The annual report, which measures the performance of properties owned or managed by Greenprint members, shows that some of the world’s leading real estate firms are on track to reach Greenprint’s overall goal of reducing building emissions and energy consumption by 50 percent by 2030.

In its sixth year, ULI’s Greenprint Center is releasing the report today at a panel event at which real estate industry and public sector leaders will be discussing the future of sustainable real estate in New York City and around the world. The report is based on the performance of over 5,000 office, retail, commercial, hotel and multifamily properties spanning over 51 countries.

“Increasing access to education and implementation for environmentally sound real estate practices is critical to the future success of the real estate industry,” said Charles B. Leitner, chairman, ULI Greenprint Center for Building Performance, CEO, Berkshire Group. “ULI Greenprint’s annual performance report not only tracks the real estate industry’s efforts to reduce all emissions by 50 percent by 2030, but it raises awareness of ways we can improve the sustainability of our industry.”

“With the help of programs and data provided by Greenprint, Hines has successfully built and managed 416 green certified buildings and employs almost 90 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accredited professionals, contributing to overall reductions in energy consumption and carbon emissions,” said Kenneth Hubbard, senior managing director, Hines. “Not only is this commitment to sustainability better for the future of the planet, but implementing more environmental heating, cooling and water systems drastically reduces our annual operating costs.”

“Nearly three-quarters of New York’s greenhouse gas emissions come from buildings, so we enthusiastically support Greenprint and its members for this continued commitment to promote and utilize emission-reducing methods,” said Melissa Wright, director, City Energy Project, and Senior Advisor, Urban Solutions, Natural Resources Defense Council.

As the largest global collection of transparent, verifiable and comprehensive data about the environmental performance of buildings, Greenprint sets the standard for a common system to measure and benchmark energy consumption, emissions, water use and waste across the global real estate industry. The Performance Report provides an annual overview of these consumption levels and comparisons from years past, allowing members to better manage their portfolios and demonstrate environmental progress.

Between 2013-2014, ULI Greenprint members have successfully reduced overall energy use and emissions:

• 3 percent reduction in energy consumption
• 7 percent reduction in carbon emissions
• 0 percent reduction in electricity
• 9 percent reduction in water use

These reductions are equivalent to:

• 277,856 barrels of oil not consumed
• 25,153 cars taken off the road
• 10,901 homes not consuming energy
• 3,063,538 trees planted
• 58,211 metric tons of coal not burned

NOTE TO REPORTERS AND EDITORS: Copies of the Greenprint Performance Report: Volume 6 report are available for download.

###

About ULI’s Greenprint Center for Building Performance
As part of ULI’s Center for Sustainability, the Greenprint Center for Building Performance is a catalyst for change, taking meaningful, immediate, and measurable actions to generate real estate solutions that improve the environment through energy efficiency while demonstrating the correlation with increased property values. The center focuses on reducing the carbon footprint of existing buildings through education and action. Greenprint is led by an advisory board, and its members are active participants in every level of the organization, bringing a depth of senior-level experience and knowledge that is unmatched in the real estate industry. Using the collective power of its membership to lead by example in lowering carbon emissions by exploring and implementing energy-reducing technologies, the center shares the performance results with the public through the Greenprint Performance Report

About the Urban Land Institute
The Urban Land Institute is a nonprofit education and research institute supported by its members. Its mission is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide. Established in 1936, the Institute has more than 36,000 members representing all aspects of land use and development disciplines.

About the ULI’s Center for Sustainability
The ULI Center for Sustainability is dedicated to creating healthy, resilient, and high-performance communities around the world. Through the work of ULI’s Greenprint Center for Building Performance and Urban Resilience Program, the Center advances knowledge and catalyzes adoption of transformative market practices and policies that lead to improved energy performance and portfolio resilience while reducing risks due to a changing climate.