BOMA Portland Extends a Sustainability Challenge to Commercial Properties

November 2, 2010

Contact Information
Jack Davis/ NEEA's BetterBricks
503.688.5474  jdavis@neea.org

Carolyn Burleigh/Coates Kokes
503.241.1124 Carolyn@coateskokes.com 

Portland, Ore. - Portland Metropolitan Association of Building Owners and Managers (BOMA) challenges property managers and building owners to demonstrate their leadership in sustainable building operations with the newly launched Carbon4Square initiative. Carbon4Square is the first building operations challenge in the country that measures and reduces carbon consumption through the framework of waste, water, watts and wheels. This year-long, resource conservation effort will catalyze building teams to benchmark environmental performance and implement strategies that lead to greater efficiencies and reduced operating expenses. Participation is free and individuals can sign up for the competition at http://www.carbon4square.com. The deadline for registration is January 31, 2011.

"Carbon4Square supports Portland building professionals as they begin or improve their sustainability initiatives," says Susan Steward, executive director BOMA Portland. "The momentum of the area's commercial owners and property managers working together allows for a significant reduction in carbon and the opportunity to showcase the forward thinking practices of Portland's real estate industry.

The name Carbon4Square was selected because in most existing buildings, carbon emissions can be attributed to the following 4 categories: waste, water, watts and wheels. Directly or indirectly, these four "W's" are the major components of a commercial office building's "carbon footprint." Focusing on these four categories gives participants a simple framework to assess, analyze, and prioritize strategies for overall environmental performance. Carbon emissions and their impact on our climate continue to be a major public policy and cultural focus among the greater Portland community. As part of this community, real estate leaders recognize the business and environmental advantages of a proactive campaign directed at carbon reduction and increased efficiencies in area commercial buildings.

"The Carbon4Square challenge is a great opportunity for the BEST Business Center to engage, educate and assist building owners as they implement sustainability into everyday operations," says Program Manager Megan Stein. "The commercial real estate sector is poised to take the region a step closer to realizing our goal of reducing our emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels."

In addition to specific assistance offered by sponsors, all participants will receive FREE:
 

1. Advertising and recognition of the property's participation in the contest.
2. A "4Square Coach" to coordinate resources and assist in developing building sustainability initiatives.
3. A scoping study to identify operational areas to save energy.
4.  Engineering certification for properties that qualify for the ENERGY STAR label.
5. Technical support and data review of your ENERGY STAR benchmarking profile.
6. Coordinated access to a diverse array of programs and resources through city and regional sustainability programs.
7. An opportunity to recognize one of your tenants for their sustainability initiatives.
8. A detailed, personalized Carbon4Square Sustainability Playbook to guide efforts.
9. Access to educational opportunities and forums to discuss, share, and learn best practices in sustainability.
10. Satisfaction from being a leader in the Portland market.

The challenge offers several categories in which participants can win. The "Carbon Leaders" category will be awarded to buildings having demonstrated the most success and innovation in managing watts, water, waste and wheels. The "Most Improved Performance" category will be awarded to buildings showing the greatest percentage gain in ENERGY STAR® ratings over the year. Most Valuable Tenant will be awarded to a tenant who has demonstrated leadership and enthusiasm for sustainability.

Finally, the grand prize will be awarded by a jury and will recognize superior achievement in managing carbon emissions across all four categories.

Carbon4Square partners and sponsors include BOMA Portland, the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance's BetterBricks initiative, Energy Trust of Oregon, BEST Business Center, City of Portland Department of Transportation, City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, ENERGY STAR®, Metro, City of Gresham's Great Businesses, and Business Smart Trips. Partners have all stepped forward to make technical and educational assistance available to participants throughout the year.

About BOMA Portland
BOMA Portland is a professional trade association that is the voice of the office building and commercial real estate industry. BOMA Portland represents over 30 million square feet of commercial real estate in Oregon. With our strong membership base, professional development, networking opportunities, and outstanding customer service, BOMA Portland is the most influential advocate and preeminent resource for all issues related to commercial real estate. BOMA Portland works to actively represent the best interests of the commercial real estate owner, the real estate professional and its allied members through leadership, networking, advocacy and professional development. BOMA Portland is a local association federated with BOMA International.

About BetterBricks
BetterBricks is the commercial building initiative of the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, which is supported by local electric utilities. Through its BetterBricks initiative, NEEA advocates for changes to energy-related business practices in the Northwest buildings. In this era of heightened appreciation for the impact climate change is having on our environment and our economy, energy efficiency is a crucial component in addressing these issues. On www.BetterBricks.com, find information, tools, training and resources to help buildings make a difference to the bottom line and the environment.