Due to rising concerns about our country's environmental crisis, environmental initiatives, such a reducing Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions, acquiring renewable energy sources, and achieving energy efficiency are becoming focal points in today's public and private sectors. As environmental rules and regulations are intensifying, both government and industry are quickly realizing that implementing change in order to comply with established standards is critical to an organization's political standing, business outcomes, and efficiency, as well as to the future of our planet.
In January 2007, The President signed Executive Order 13423 "Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management," (EO13423), and in doing so, required Federal Agencies to lead by example in advancing the nation's energy security and environmental performance. EO 13423 identifies several areas in which policies must be implemented as they relate to such things as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving energy efficiency, and preventing pollution, among others.
Property Managers must capitalize on the environmental focus by providing increased accountability for any item that is procured or any process that is implemented in an effort to help an organization be "green". Organizations will begin to realize greater savings as a result of energy efficiency, alternative fuel usage, and effective reutilization programs, all of which will contribute to the organization's efficiency, and in the end, its bottom line. EO 13423 specifically calls out the need for all agencies to implement an Environmental Management System (EMS), which will establish the organization's objectives and targets and ensure the collection, analysis and reporting of data in order to measure an organization's performance towards it's goals. Any organization's goal of meeting environmental standards will only be achieved through the ability to continuously track progress and measure and demonstrate quantifiable results. These tangible results will allow decision makers to evaluate the effectiveness of policies and programs as well as positively impact purchasing decisions.
Complying with environmental regulations in today's world is crucial, and soon will be mandated for all organizations, public or private. The first step is to effectively implement changes in order to realize energy savings and reduce the carbon footprint, thereby contributing to environmental change for the better. The next, which is equally, if not more, important, is to provide repeatable, auditable methods to demonstrate the benefits of these changes to regulators, executives, stakeholders, and the public. The Property Manager plays a crucial role in that s/he will ensure the proper tracking of methods by which an organization becomes more "green."
Property Managers must capitalize on the environmental focus by providing increased accountability for any item that is procured or any process that is implemented in an effort to help an organization be "green". Organizations will begin to realize greater savings as a result of energy efficiency, alternative fuel usage, and effective reutilization programs, all of which will contribute to the organization's efficiency, and in the end, its bottom line. EO 13423 specifically calls out the need for all agencies to implement an Environmental Management System (EMS), which will establish the organization's objectives and targets and ensure the collection, analysis and reporting of data in order to measure an organization's performance towards it's goals. Any organization's goal of meeting environmental standards will only be achieved through the ability to continuously track progress and measure and demonstrate quantifiable results. These tangible results will allow decision makers to evaluate the effectiveness of policies and programs as well as positively impact purchasing decisions.
Complying with environmental regulations in today's world is crucial, and soon will be mandated for all organizations, public or private. The first step is to effectively implement changes in order to realize energy savings and reduce the carbon footprint, thereby contributing to environmental change for the better. The next, which is equally, if not more, important, is to provide repeatable, auditable methods to demonstrate the benefits of these changes to regulators, executives, stakeholders, and the public. The Property Manager plays a crucial role in that s/he will ensure the proper tracking of methods by which an organization becomes more "green."
