Apr 18 2008
Jones Lang LaSalle today formalized its commitment to sustainability that advances its leadership position in the delivery of sustainable building services and reduction of the environmental impact of its operations.
Developed by the firm's Global Sustainability Board, and supported by the members of its Global Executive Committee, Jones Lang LaSalle's Sustainability Commitment is designed to deliver real value at a time of dramatic worldwide change, as energy management and sustainability assume ever greater importance to commercial real estate owners and occupants, as well as to Jones Lang LaSalle employees in more than 60 countries around the world.
As part of the Sustainability Commitment, Jones Lang LaSalle is establishing the first Sustainability University in the real estate services industry, where employees and clients are learning sustainable strategies, studying for professional accreditation such as LEED and BREEAM, and gaining specific skills to drive the development, management and leasing of sustainable and energy-efficient commercial buildings. The formation of the Sustainability University is also helping the firm lead the industry by increasing its LEED, BREEAM and other sustainability-accredited professionals to 200 in 2008 and to 500 in 2009.
"Interest in, and concern about, environmental sustainability continues to gain momentum with our clients, prospects, investors and the professionals who take pride in working for Jones Lang LaSalle," said Lauralee Martin, global Chief Operating & Financial Officer. "Our service capabilities and industry-leading position allow us to deliver real value and drive change that minimizes the environmental impact of commercial real estate while serving the economic requirements of successful businesses."
"Buildings are responsible for 40 percent of all energy consumption and carbon emissions, and as the manager of 1.2 billion square feet of commercial space and billions of dollars in real estate projects globally, we can have a major impact on sustainability in the built environment," said Dan Probst, Chairman of the Global Environmental Sustainability Board. "We are committed to delivering leading sustainability solutions to investors and occupiers throughout the world, and to reducing the environmental impacts of our own operations."
The Jones Lang LaSalle Global Sustainability Commitment entails three overall strategies, each of which is backed by specific initiatives with meaningful impact on the firm's sustainability profile, including:
1. Lead the transformation of the property industry to reduce the environmental impact of commercial real estate:
-- Provide expertise in the construction of new buildings using technologies and best practices that move toward a zero carbon impact on the environment -- Lower energy consumption in existing buildings through sustainable renovations and management improvements
2. Increase our investment in energy and sustainability expertise:
-- Increase our accredited professionals (LEED, BREEAM, ABGR, Green Star, etc.) to 200 in 2008 and up to 500 by 2009 -- Expand our benchmarking tools to measure industry performance (Upstream's Third Dimension, the Jones Lang LaSalle ESP, and client E and S- Score ratings) -- Leverage our procurement power to drive supply chain compliance with Energy Star and green products into our managed buildings and construction management projects around the globe -- Establish a Sustainability University in 2008 to educate our teams and clients with best-practice training and technical expertise
3. Reduce our carbon footprint through our ACT: A Cleaner Tomorrow internal initiative, which focuses on energy conservation, water conservation, emissions reduction, solid waste reduction, recycling and recycled materials use Measure our carbon footprint and continue to reduce our impact:
-- Occupy sustainable certified space (LEED, BREEAM, Energy Star, etc.) where possible -- Reduce the CO2 impact of corporate travel by investing in communication and technology tools, and flexible work practice -- Engage and educate our people to create permanent sustainable behavioral change
Jones Lang LaSalle's approach to sustainability combines the global expertise of its Energy and Sustainability Services group with best-in-class regional capabilities such as Upstream, the UK's leading real estate sustainability advisor and benchmarking firm, to offer an integrated service delivery platform that includes strategy development, sustainable building development and energy efficient building operations. The firm ensures that best practices are shared worldwide; that service delivery is consistent around the globe; and that industry-leading research and innovative services continue to be developed.
"Our Global Sustainability Commitment will be dynamic and will change and evolve as conditions warrant and as we expand our skills and experience," Martin said. "Both the world and our need to respond to new environmental challenges are changing rapidly."