Tag: commercial buildings

Google’s Search for an Energy Leader and What You Should Learn from It

Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. The views expressed are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of Facilities Management Advisor. You can always tell the priorities of global tech firms by who they are trying to hire. Google’s next hire? A new role for a team leader dedicated to developing a plan and budget […]

DOE Offers $90 Million to Boost Adoption of Building Energy Codes

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $90 million in funding to support building energy code adoption, training, and technical assistance at the state and local level. The DOE estimates that, from 2010 through 2040, energy codes will have saved homes and businesses $182 billion on utility bills and prevented as much carbon dioxide from reaching […]

EPA Names First ENERGY STAR-Certified Auto Dealerships

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is recognizing eight vehicle dealerships for being the first to earn its ENERGY STAR certification for superior energy performance. Vehicle dealerships that earn the ENERGY STAR use significantly less energy—and contribute fewer greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions—than their peers. “Reducing energy use in commercial buildings is an essential part of […]

Companies Prioritize Shared Office Space in the Age of Hybrid Work

In 2023, 90% of companies offered some level of hybrid work, according to a new survey from CBRE. The adoption of hybrid work is driving companies to lease less space and redesign their offices to be more effective for employees, with space changes varying by industry. The annual survey reflects workplace and occupancy insights from 66 […]

Bridging the Gap: Unifying Digital and Physical Security in the Modern Workplace

In the spirit of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, business leaders must be mindful to secure their workplaces, whether that workplace is remote, in an office, or in a hybrid model. Return-to-office (RTO) mandates have been gaining momentum post-Labor Day, with some surveys showing a whopping 90% of companies are planning to implement RTO policies by the […]

Better Buildings Initiative Reaches $18.5 Billion in Energy Savings

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has published the “2023 Better Buildings Initiative Progress Report,” which summarizes the achievements of the DOE’s Better Buildings public- and private-sector partners since the initiative’s inception in 2011. The report shows that partnering entities, including more than 900 businesses, state and local governments, utilities, housing authorities, and other organizations, […]

Commercial Real Estate Occupiers Increase Spending on Tech Solutions

A new report from JLL finds commercial real estate (CRE) occupiers are “willing to put their money where the tech is,” with over 80% of companies increasing technology budgets despite a challenging operating environment. According to JLL’s 2023 Global Real Estate Technology Survey, 91% of occupier respondents are willing to pay a premium for tech-enabled space […]

Which U.S. Cities Are Leading the Uptick in Office Conversions?

Office conversions in the U.S. are on pace to more than double their recent annual average this year, with momentum picking up due to increased incentives and other support from state and local governments, according to new insight from CBRE. CBRE analyzed the number of office conversions in major U.S. cities since 2016 and found nearly 100 projects […]

DOE Offering $400M for States to Update Building Energy Codes

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released program guidance and opened applications for $400 million in formula funding to states and territories for adopting and implementing building energy codes that reduce utility bills, increase efficiency, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and make buildings more resilient to climate disasters. “A transition to a clean energy economy […]

How California Can Slash Carbon from Building Materials

The carbon emissions associated with materials used in the built environment, referred to as “embodied carbon,” are estimated to contribute up to 11% of all global energy-related carbon emissions. According to a new report from sustainable development consultancy Arup, developed on behalf of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), California is one of the first states in […]