Sustainability in the workplace is decidedly becoming more of a mandatory practice than an optional “trend.” As you can see from the host of year-end Perspectives included in this issue, I’m not the only one who feels that 2008 has been a banner year for green buildings. We’ve seen more stringent energy-efficiency mandates come down throughout the country at state levels, and we’re seeing key standards organizations like ASHRAE really “walk the talk” in terms of occupying a newly finalized green headquarters in Atlanta.

Things within the sustainability realm are seemingly pointed in the right direction; people are now more aware of the need for green operating procedures than ever, and as we watched in horror as energy/fuel prices skyrocketed to previously unseen heights this past year, we look — eyes wide with hope — to a future of renewable energy strategies and more efficient advancements in building technologies. 

As Sustainable Facility columnist Tommy Linstroth notes in his New Year’s Resolutions Initiative: “Each year, we demolish about 1.75 billion square feet, while renovating another 5 billion square feet, and build an additional 5 billion square feet of new construction. So in the next 16 years, roughly 75 percent of the built environment will be new or renovated — which is positive when you add on the trends toward greener buildings. However, that still leaves 75 billion square feet of existing building stock chugging away 60 hours a week or more, operating inefficiencies, poor air quality, leaking pipes and all…

 “Focusing on the new, all-electric Tesla roadster or Toyota Prius hybrid cruising down the highway is great—but there are few of them on the road. However, there are thousands and thousands of mid-70s clunkers and 1980s and 90s SUVs chugging along at 12 miles to the gallon… Sure new buildings have a historic opportunity to redefine how development is done, but it doesn’t take those old SUVs off the road.”

In all that we do to push the green building agenda and move toward sustainable design on any / all new construction projects, we’re still left with a massive existing building portfolio that serves as a constant reminder of inefficiencies that still require attention. Do everything in your power to increase the efficiency of your existing facility. Don’t let it become an outdated behemoth synonymous with wastefulness like those gas-guzzling clunkers on the road.

This coming year I challenge you: Continue to identify the low-hanging fruit and go for the quick fixes where you can. But take it a step beyond that, and get an energy audit performed. Take your findings to the owners and stakeholders and show them the areas that can (and should) be improved. Consider retrofits and mechanical upgrades where appropriate. Enlist the help of a LEED AP or equivalent sustainability consultant and continue your journey toward making your facilities the most efficient performers that they can be. Maximize performance and take pride in reducing your facility’s environmental impact as well as curbing energy usage. Your building’s budget — and the planet — will be impacted positively.

The dawn of 2009 marks a year of change for our country on a scale the likes of which we’ve never seen before. I think you’ll find that investing in a high-performance facelift for your facility not only brings you into a new era of operation and occupant comfort, but that it also aligns you with other corporations that are taking these same strides.

This is your chance to lead by example.

Thanks for reading.

Happy Holidays to you and yours.

Joe