The commercial building sector accounts for 13 percent of Canada's total greenhouse gas emissions. Enhancements using existing energy efficiency technologies hold tremendous potential to
- reduce carbon emissions,
- save energy costs, and
- perhaps earn carbon credits that can be sold on emerging North American carbon markets.
The "greening" of commercial real estate is not a passing fad, but rather a fundamental change. Real estate groups that want to attract deals, strategic investors, and marquee anchor tenants should pay close attention to this change.