Tenants' Roles and Opportunities

One of the purposes of the Existing Commercial Buildings Energy Performance Ordinance was to encourage both current and prospective tenants to be informed and have an interest in  increasing energy efficiency. Inspired by the Mayor’s Existing Commercial Buildings Task Force Report (2009), the Green Tenant Toolkit includes best practices for tenants and building management to engage in win-win environmental initiatives, a guide to integrating green lease language into negotiations, and a scorecard to summarize key sustainability metrics for any property – whether or not it has a green certification. The objective of the Green Tenant Toolkit is to eliminate barriers to sustainability throughout the life of a commercial lease helps to minimize operating costs, save water, reduce carbon emissions, and increase energy efficiency.

The toolkit was produced by a Business Council on Climate Change working group of twenty six professionals from leading commercial real estate companies, design and architecture firms, law firms, model tenants, and building trade organizations.