Global Corporate Xpansion

GREEN FACILITIES
SUSTAINING FACILITIES:
RAISING THE BAR
Energy-efficient initiatives are the most common measures
implemented to achieve sustainable practices in existing facilities.

With energy efficiency emerging as a leading business consideration, existing buildings have become a centerpiece of the movement. These activities span the commercial and government sectors, which are looking for energy and water audits in order to become more sustainable.

A leading expert on sustainability says companies
should consider making investments in energy conserva-
tion measures by taking a smart, methodical approach,
implementing low-cost or no-cost actions in order to
achieve a direct impact on operating costs. “We tell
organizations to look at sustainability as a whole,” says
Maureen Roskoski, REPA, LEED AP, a senior professional
with Facility Engineering Associates PC, which specializes
in assisting property managers of existing facilities in
achieving sustainability goals. “Sustainability is trying
to find the integration of the triple bottom line, the
correlation between environment, financial and social.
Decide not to focus on one but all three and try to
integrate all three.”
We asked Roskoski to break down the ins and outs of
implementing sustainability efforts in existing facilities.

Global Corporate Xpansion: What are the benefits and advantages of implementing sustainable initiatives in existing office buildings, and what do businesses need to understand about sustainability?

Maureen Roskoski: The main thing is that there will be some sustainability initiatives that will directly save you money such as energy improvements and decreasing water consumption. Those are things that relate directly to your operating costs.