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Triple bottom line, environmental, social and governance and net zero in commercial real estate
Corporate Real Estate Journal,
13
(3),
225-241
(2024)
Abstract
Climate and sustainability are at the forefront of dialogue within corporate real estate (CRE) organisations. Nearly 40 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions come from the real estate sector. Of these emissions, approximately 70 per cent are produced by building operations, while the remaining 30 per cent comes from construction.1 A common language and aligned path is essential in making progress if we, as an industry, are to meet the goals we are setting. Sustainability, when referring to the triple bottom line, is a concept that refers to the environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance of an organisation and measures three areas of impact: people, planet, profit. This paper explores how sustainability takes into account the needs of an organisation’s stakeholders (including the community, general public and its employees) along with its own interests. This results in stronger relationships with these groups. The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is a federal government entity with a mission to deliver the best customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition and technology services to the government and the American people. One of GSA’s strategic goals is to provide financially and environmentally sustainable, accessible and responsive real estate solutions that enable a productive federal workforce. This paper provides highlights of how GSA is driven by three guiding principles: buy clean, build clean; net zero operations by 2045; and design for people, design for impact. The challenge of finding appropriate solutions to meet the demands of today are presented in actionable ways in examples from GSA as it continues to partner with industry, other organisations and communities to develop innovative solutions that support customer missions, enable community development and protect the environment, while providing effective stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
Keywords: built environment; healthy buildings; greenhouse gas emissions; climate change; guiding principles; net zero; emerging technologies; carbon pollution-free electricity; fleet electrification
The full article is available to subscribers to the journal.
Author's Biography
Charles Hardy AIA CCM serves as the Chief Architect of the U.S. General Services Administration’s Public Buildings Service. Charles’ role encompasses senior executive and adviser to the GSA Administrator and PBS Commissioner on all matters concerning federal architecture and design. In this capacity, he provides visionary and national leadership and high-level technical policy direction for the agency regarding design quality and innovation, design excellence and cost effectiveness in design. He is responsible for research and development in the delivery of innovative workplace solutions throughout the federal government.
Sandrine Schultz is a Sustainability and Green Buildings Program Advisor in the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Office of Federal High-Performance Green Buildings (OFHPGB). She previously worked as Energy and Sustainability Director at Chicago Public Schools, where she implemented programmes to reduce energy consumption and increase the use of renewable resources. Sandrine has also worked at the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Department of Defense, where she developed innovative solutions. She is committed to integrating energy across all operational areas and combating the climate crisis.
Brian Gilligan P.E., is a Professional Engineer and Deputy Director for OFHPGB. He has 20 years’ experience in facilities, construction and energy management and a passion for sustainability in the built environment. He manages the U.S. General Services Administration’s (GSA) Health in Buildings research programme and acts as an adviser on topics related to workplace strategy and the future of work. Both projects seek to develop tools and methods to enhance health in buildings and make every project at GSA a learning experience. He holds degrees in mechanical engineering and civil and environmental engineering from RPI and Stanford University.
Adam Mcclung is an Intelligent Buildings Managing Consultant for the Office of Facilities Management, Facility Technology & Innovation at the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). He has 19 years’ experience in facilities management, planning and operational technologies. He has administered the GSAlink programme under the Smart Buildings Program manager since 2018, which seeks to enable energy and mechanical expense savings through fault detection and diagnostics. He is a Certified Energy Manager and holds degrees in electronic engineering technology and interdisciplinary studies from WVSU.
Walter Tersch is a Sustainability Program Manager in the U.S. General Services Administration’s (GSA) Office of Architecture and Engineering. He leads the agency’s work to reduce the embodied carbon of purchased materials, including through new standards established for Inflation Reduction Act projects. Walter is a LEED AP, with degrees in computer science and environmental law. In addition to 14 happy years at GSA, Walter has worked for law companies, the U.S. Department of Energy and the City of Chicago.
