THE BUSINESS CASE FOR GREENER BUILDINGS HAS NEVER BEEN STRONGER. IT REALLY PAYS TO GO GREEN.
 

Softening economic conditions have not reduced the interest, need and viability of greener buildings but have in fact resulted in the opposite value proposition.

Greener or more sustainable buildings are not immune from the economic downturn. However, owners in the United States, Europe and Australia are finding green properties better positioned to weather the storm than conventional properties. Why? Lower water and energy costs are valuable tenant commodities in times of economic distress, and tenants appreciate the superior amenities found in green buildings - among them, more comfortable temperatures, cleaner finishes and more natural light. As the real estate market slackens and tenants have wider choice in spending their real estate dollars, many will be taking advantage of market rental rate declines to secure better space. That favors higher green building occupancies.

Coupled with this are the growing trends of corporations, governments and consumers to adopt environmental policies, strategies and practices within their day-to-day mainstream activities. Corporate Responsibility and reporting has become a high priority practice within the business and institutional sectors. Governments on both sides of the Canadian border are focusing on climate change policies that will encourage greater energy efficiency in buildings, facilitate the growth of renewable energy, and lead to the viable carbon “cap and trade” market.

Greener buildings can take advantage of changing government and market policies, and provide many financial benefits that conventional buildings do not. These attributes include energy and water savings, reduced waste, improved indoor environmental quality, greater employee comfort and productivity, and lower operations and maintenance costs.
Mounting evidence supports the contention that greener buildings can command relatively higher rents and asset value, enhance occupant health and well-being, improve employee productivity, attract tenants more quickly, reduce tenant turnover, and cost less to operate and maintain.

With the growing market acceptance of greening new and existing buildings across North America and other industrialized countries, the business case is very strong to justify these types of projects, developments, investments, and expenditures.

MAJOR TRENDS, ISSUES, STRATEGIES AND OPPORTUNITIES WILL BE ADDRESSED

The Green Real Estate conference will provide a high-level discussion and strategic update on the economics, benefits, and value of green buildings, along with some of the best practices that can be used to create these types of properties.

Developers, investors, shareholders, lenders brokers and valuators will learn how sustainable value can be created by improving building performance in new and existing buildings – or potentially lose market share.

The program will address the key trends from the perspective of investors, developers, owners, tenants, building users, design and construction professionals, and the market. The emphasis will be on practical strategic information that can be applied to today’s current market conditions.
 

Don McLean Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager Bentall LP	Daryl Watts Global Director, Leasing RBC Financial