NAIOP's Commitment to Green
 As an association of 15,000 members and a staff of 31, NAIOP recognizes that the actions of its members and the activity of its staff have an environmental impact.
In response, NAIOP has mobilized to provide members and member companies with education and resources that encourage environmentally-responsible choices, as well as issuing a policy statement that promotes the utilization of sustainable building practices, when possible.
Within NAIOP's headquarters, movements are underway that can reduce environmental impact resulting from conferences, and by the day-to-day activities of the staff.
Below is an overview of the actions that NAIOP is undertaking to promote sustainability within the industry, and what it can do to demonstrate its own commitment to green.
Policy and Awards
NAIOP Energy Policy Statement ·
Sustainable Development Policy
Sustainable Development Forum
Sustainable Development Committee ·
Sustainable Development Award
Member Resources
Green Development News ·
Green REsource Center ·
NAIOP Bookstore
NAIOP Headquarters Actions
Office Activity
Policy and Awards
NAIOP Energy Policy Statement
In a proactive approach to engage its members and the commercial development industry in advancing an economically prosperous and sustainable built environment, NAIOP released it Energy Policy Statement in June 2008. According to this policy, NAIOP commits to:
- Encourage the real estate development industry to employ every technically feasible, cost-effective, sustainable strategy available to increase energy efficiency of new and existing buildings, and to employ cleaner, low carbon energy alternatives (including onsite energy), wherever possible.
- Advance public policies that accelerate ongoing energy efficiency and sustainability gains; support cleaner (including onsite) energy alternatives; and promote, wherever feasible, less carbon intensive transportation options to and from buildings.
- Engage in educational programs, seminars and conferences to help employ best practices for energy efficient development.
Sustainable Development Policy
In September 2007, NAIOP announced its Sustainable Development Policy, which was ratified by its national Board of Directors. It reads as follows:
NAIOP values the earth's resources and recognizes the positive impact that sustainable development has on the environment and the properties its members create.
NAIOP believes that the intelligent use of energy, materials and other resources yields environmental benefits, and that the lifecycle of a building - from site development through design, construction, renovation, operations and demolition - should strive to employ every usable, cost-effective, sustainable strategy available.
NAIOP applauds states, provinces, municipalities and communities that offer incentives for sustainable building that enable responsible developers to build better buildings and meet the needs of environmentally-conscious owners and occupants, both today and in the future.
NAIOP encourages its members to seek education and certification resources made available by NAIOP or various organizations that provide an understanding of developing and maintaining high-performance properties.
Sustainable Development Forum
The Sustainable Development Forum was launched in the fall of 2007 and is open to Principal and Associate members actively involved in developing green buildings. Members meet biannually at the National Forums Symposium and the Development meeting to discuss the latest trends in sustainable development, best practices, financial resources and incentives and public policy issues that impact the sustainable development process, among others.
Sustainable Development Committee
NAIOP established a national Green Task Force (GTF) in early 2007 to examine the issues and opportunities associated with green development. The task force comprised commercial real estate professionals experienced in sustainable practices.
The GTF held its first meeting in March 2007. Members of the GTF were asked to volunteer to serve on sub-committees, including Policy; Education; Research; Strategic Alliances and Legislative Issues and Mandates.
Each sub-committee was charged with researching their topic and reporting back to the full group on future conference calls, with the goal of making recommendations that NAIOP should consider on a national basis. The GTF was renamed the Sustainable Development Committee in January 2009.
Results of the GTF include the establishment of NAIOP's inaugural conference on sustainable development - DevelopGREEN: Sustainable Solutions for Commercial Real Estate; the Sustainable Development and Energy Policies; potential future partnerships and continued research into how local, state and federal legislation could be used to incentivize sustainable development.
The GTF has completed their initial charge of opening the lines of communication on the issues surrounding green development, and recommending what policies, education and research would be most beneficial to members. The advisements of the GTF have been turned over to NAIOP's committees for further development and implementation.
The Sustainable Development Committee will continue to meet and continue their efforts to educate NAIOP members on the latest in sustainable development.
Sustainable Development Award
NAIOP established the Green Building Award in 2005 recognize the growing number of member firms engaged in green development. NAIOP and its member companies, who are committed to developing model properties adhering to the highest standards in the industry, believe that socially-conscious development is essential to the economic vitality of the industry and the nation.
The award, developed in consultation with the U.S. Green Building Council, the nation's leading coalition of building industry leaders working to promote environmentally responsible building and development, is bestowed annually to a member company that has best exemplifies innovation, efficiency and quality in the field of green development.
Criteria for the award include the following:
- company commitment to sustainability;
- site sustainability and materials use;
- innovation;
- water efficiency;
- energy efficiency;
- economic viability;
- innovation;
- other sustainable attributes
The Sustainable Development Award winner is chosen by a selection committee comprising association leaders, industry peers and members of the U.S. Green Building Council. Nominations are accepted in the late spring, with the award presented at the fall development conference.
Past winners of the prestigious award include:
| 2009 |
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Forest City Covington
ProLogis |
| 2008 |
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Aardex LLC
Hamilton Partners |
| 2007 |
|
Georgetown Company
Liberty Property Trust |
| 2006 |
|
Hines |
| 2005 |
|
Corporate Office Properties Trust |
"NAIOP's Green Development Award is an exciting and important contribution to the green building movement," said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chairman of the Green Building Council. "This prestigious award will encourage real estate developers nationwide to engage in green development, helping to lead the transformation of our built environment to green. We look forward to working with NAIOP and its members to create a healthy and sustainable future."
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Member Resources
Green Development News
NAIOP publishes Green Development News, a monthly e-newsletter dedicated to issues surrounding green development. Each issue features articles on the following topics:
- Research and Whitepapers
- News
- Green Policy Trends
- Green Resources from NAIOP
Green Development News is a NAIOP member benefit and is available for viewing on the NAIOP Web site.
Green REsource Center
NAIOP established an online Green REsource Center to support developers engaged in "green" and sustainable development.
The site brings together a collection NAIOP's resources related to sustainable development, ranging from publications to current legislative issues and upcoming education opportunities. Available are green-related columns and feature articles from Development magazine; links to publications in the NAIOP Bookstore; and information on sustainable-associated research conducted by the NAIOP Research Foundation.
NAIOP's Green REsource (real estate resource) site was established to meet the growing demand of the membership for resources and education that address green development initiatives. The site will:
- Promote best practices through articles and featured companies in Development magazine;
- Provide information and links to green legislation, in states and federally;
- Feature research reports and published materials to provide "green" education; and
- Serve as an ongoing, updated center for education opportunities.
NAIOP Bookstore
NAIOP's online bookstore devotes an entire section to resources regarding green development, including published books, CDs of case studies and Real Estate Briefing (a packet of photocopied materials including articles from top trade magazines, comprehensive case studies and presentation excerpts from NAIOP conferences).
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NAIOP Headquarters Actions
Office Activity
Printing
NAIOP prints all materials on 20 percent post-consumer waste paper..
Recycling Program
Within its national office, NAIOP has established a recycling program for both office items and food preparation waste. Glass bottles, plastic bottles and cardboard are picked up as part of Fairfax County's non-residential recycling collection. Tin cans and batteries are delivered to offsite recycling facilities.
Reduction of Disposable Goods
NAIOP's national office supports the reduction of non-recyclable kitchen and office items and encourages the use of reusable items.
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