While buildings constructed in accordance with environmental standards reduce their carbon and environmental imprint, it is the day-to-day activities and operations of all the building's occupants and tenants that have greater long-term impact. Building managers and tenants are increasingly seeking BOMA BEST operational certification.
This is a trend worth encouraging, which is why the BOMA BEST Sustainable Workplace program was launched. It is designed for tenants who wish to measure and monitor their own environmental performance, whether the building is certified BOMA BEST or not. For managers of certified buildings, it is a supplementary tool that helps raise environmental awareness, and encourages tenants to assume responsibility and to play an active role in sustainability. For building occupants, it is a way to proactively self-manage their environmental impact and to get all their employees involved.
Certification that acknowledges the values and serious commitment of the commercial sector
The program provides a roadmap to encourage organizations to set clear objectives, identify measurable performance indicators and establish environmental policies in 7 categories:
- Energy efficiency
- Water consumption
- Electronic waste
- Reducing, recycling and managing waste materials
- Sustainable spaces
- Sustainable travel and commuting
- Indoor air quality
For each category (depending on their level of control), organizations must determine the technological and financial options available to them, and identify difficulties to be overcome as regards operations and business needs. They then define the solutions and initiatives they intend to put in place to better respond to environmental issues in all their offices and buildings.
The program also calls for drafting a sustainable supply and procurement policy, as well as an internal communication strategy to inform and mobilize employees.
There is no grade certification; certification is the same for one and all. Once certified, organizations must pay the annual fee, ensure that program requirements are met and submit an annual report on the progress made and on current or future initiatives for ongoing improvement.
Speak to your tenants about this program!
More information available here.