Synapse: This Week's News for LA’s Best Buildings
2020 GRESB Results for the Americas
Participation in the 2020 Assessment grew by 22% to cover 1,229 portfolios (2019: 1,005) worth more than USD $4.8 trillion AUM.
This increase in participation, coming despite the challenges of the COVID-19 crisis, shows an industry responding decisively to the accelerating investor demand for comparable ESG data.
LABBC congratulates our Partners who were ranked Real Estate Sector Leaders, including Brookfield Properties, CommonWealth Partners, and Kilroy Realty Corporation, who also scored #1 globally in Resilience.
LA Mayor Outlines Plans for City’s First Transport Innovation Zone
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has announced the creation of the city’s first Transportation Technology Innovation Zone – an area where private sector firms can test their transportation technology solutions.
Designed by Mayor Garcetti and City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, the zone is one of the flagship programmes of Urban Movement Labs (UML) – the transportation solutions accelerator launched in November 2019 – and aims to transform the Warner Center neighbourhood into ‘one of LA’s mobility innovation and workforce development hubs’.
A Blueprint for a Greener Industry: Building the Foundation of a Real Estate ESG Program
Real estate organizations recognize the strong business case for incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into their day-to-day business operations with new policies affecting building energy performance, strong returns from cost savings on utilities savings, rising tenant demand, and pressure from investors. However, developing a real estate sustainability program from the ground up is no simple task; it takes thoughtful and thorough work across technical, financial, and market-facing elements to achieve success.
December Top Ten Solutions for Better Buildings
The 10 most-viewed resources from the past month include a new webinar on resilience planning for multifamily housing, a new toolkit on high-efficiency rooftop units (RTUs), and solutions from Better Buildings partners InterContinental Hotels Group and New York City Housing Authority. Check them out!
Update on Benchmarking and ENERGY STAR Certification for U.S. Commercial Buildings Impacted by COVID-19
Due to COVID-19, some of ENERGY STAR’s certification rules have been modified. Please be sure to update your building use details as needed for your building type (see this FAQ for more details) and adhere to the updated guidance in determining when you may apply for certification.
All buildings may now apply for certification with Period Ending Dates (PEDs) up to December 31, 2020 (regardless of whether or not their operations were impacted by COVID-19), with a few exceptions for retail stores, hotels, and K-12 schools.
To allow sufficient time to apply for certification, the deadline for 2020 certification applications has been extended to February 10, 2021.
Upcoming Event: USGBC-LA's 16th Annual Green Gala
This year, join USGBC-LA for an interactive and family-friendly experience held online. Network and get some face-to-face time playing games with your community from the comfort and safety of your home.
When: Dec. 9, 5:30-8pm PT
Source: GRESB