The CB Richard Ellis Group (CBRE), one of Newsweek’s 30 greenest large companies in America, has achieved carbon neutrality for its 2010 global operations, making it the first global commercial real estate services company to do so, according to the company’s latest press release.
The recent accomplishment was reached through carbon mitigation programmes, such as sustainable operation protocols and green leasing standards, with the remainder offset by investing in carbon mitigation projects, such as landfill methane destruction, conservation-based forest initiatives and sustainability projects in rising economies.
For 2010, CBRE offset over 50,000 metric tons of emissions.
“Sustainability has become fundamental to our client service offering,” said Brett White, Chief Executive Officer of CBRE.
“As the world’s largest third party manager of commercial property, with a 2.9 billion square foot global portfolio, we can have an outsized impact on the environment by helping our clients lower energy consumption, improve efficiency and reduce emissions.”
“One of the best ways we can demonstrate our expertise is to lead by example in our own operations.”
CBRE’s carbon footprint is measured annually using the Greenhouse Gas Protocol of World Resources Institute.
The 2010 carbon measurement comprised all global emissions from sources owned or controlled by CBRE, including its international fleet of vehicles and direct electricity consumption.
In order to reach carbon neutrality, the company invested in various green projects, including a native redwood forest in Mendocino County, California, replacement of wood and coal-burning stoves in Uganda and Cambodia, methane capture and destruction projects in the U.S, biomass project near Novodvinsk, Russia, and a co-op-run fertiliser production facility in Uttar Pradesh, India.
The company’s efforts were led by its Toward a Greener Tomorrow Committee, under the supervision of Sally Wilson, Global Director of Environmental Strategy, and Dave Pogue, U.S. Director of Sustainability. PricewaterhouseCoopers and ICF International supported the process and validated the results.
“In Asia, we have developed a comprehensive sustainability platform for our internal use and for implementation across our client services spectrum. With our commitment to pursuing high standards of environmental stewardship, we have been proactive in implementing sustainability strategies and energy efficiency programmes at properties it manages across the region,” said Rob Blain, Chief Executive and Chairman of CBRE Asia Pacific.
“With the 36 certified energy and environmental professionals including 26 accredited under the LEED green building rating system across Asia delivering sustainability services to property owners, developers, investors and occupiers, we are well positioned to make further strides as a regional leader with respect to environmental sustainability in the real estate industry.”
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