Portland Metropolitan Association of Building Owners and Managers (BOMA)’s Carbon4Square challenge – the first of its kind in the country – has recruited 85 office buildings totaling over 14 million square feet to assess and improve environmental performance within their operations. Representing over 20 percent of the entire Portland metropolitan market, from downtown to surrounding cities, each building team will develop customized strategies to reduce their “carbon footprint” through the 4 “W’s” – watts, water, waste, and wheels.
Launched by Portland Metropolitan BOMA in partnership with the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance’s BetterBricks initiative, Coates Kokes designed the logo, web site and collateral materials and leads public relations for the program.
Carbon4Square provides a simple framework to understand and act on both the financial and environmental benefits in improving building operations. Participants will have access to local area experts, financial and technical resources, and educational opportunities to help them get started. Additionally, each building will be assigned their very own “4Square Coach” to guide them through the competition and assist in creating their “Sustainability Playbook” that outlines their environmental priorities for the next two-three years.
Participants will also have access to the Carbon4Square Status Board, which details the types of tracking that each property manager has completed and allows participants to track their individual performance and compete with their peers.
“We know it takes significant effort to achieve the benefits, both financial and environmental, realized by sustainable building operations,” said Susan Steward, BOMA Portland Executive Director, LEED Green Associate. “BOMA Portland’s priority is to demonstrate commitment to our members and the commercial real estate industry by launching the Carbon4Square challenge and recognizing the skill and expertise demonstrated by the facility teams that run these buildings on a day-to-day basis.”
“Sustainability is at the forefront of our current business plan and it is also a top priority for our owners and tenants,” says Kim Schoenfelder, Project Director, KG Investment Management and a Carbon4Square participant. “The expert support offered by Carbon4Square coaches helps us identify the key areas where we can reduce our energy consumption and carbon footprint and also creates the roadmap for us to achieve the goals of our current sustainability plan.”
In addition to BOMA Portland and the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, Carbon4Square partners include the Energy Trust of Oregon, The City of Portland’s BEST Business Center, City of Portland Department of Transportation, City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, ENERGY STAR®, Metro, City of Gresham’s Great Businesses, and Business Smart Trips.
