How can you benefit from green leasing?

1 What is green leasing?

Green leasing is a way of aligning the incentives and responsibilities of landlords and tenants to achieve better environmental performance of the leased property. It can cover various aspects such as energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, indoor air quality, and green certifications. Green leasing can also include clauses that encourage collaboration, communication, and monitoring of sustainability goals and practices.

2 Why is green leasing important?

Green leasing can benefit both landlords and tenants in several ways. For landlords, green leasing can help them attract and retain tenants who value sustainability and social responsibility, enhance the value and competitiveness of their properties, reduce operational and maintenance costs, and comply with environmental regulations and standards. For tenants, green leasing can help them reduce their utility bills, improve their productivity and well-being, strengthen their brand image and reputation, and meet their corporate social responsibility objectives.

3 How to negotiate a green lease?

Negotiating a green lease requires a clear understanding of the needs and expectations of both parties, as well as the opportunities and challenges of the property. It is important to consider the lease term and structure, which should be long enough to allow both parties to recover their investments and enjoy the benefits of green improvements. Additionally, the lease structure should reflect cost and savings allocation between the landlord and tenant. Furthermore, green lease clauses should specify roles and responsibilities regarding design, construction, operation, and maintenance of green features and systems. These clauses should also define performance standards, targets, measurement methods, incentives, and penalties for compliance or non-compliance. The negotiation process should involve open communication between the landlord and tenant, as well as relevant stakeholders such as property managers, consultants, contractors, and brokers. It is also essential to base negotiations on reliable data such as energy audits, benchmarking, and best practices.

4 How to implement a green lease?

Implementing a green lease requires ongoing management and monitoring of the green initiatives and outcomes. To ensure success, it’s important to establish a green team made up of representatives from both the landlord and tenant. Education and training should be provided to raise awareness and build capacity, while reporting and reviewing should include collecting and analyzing data on environmental, financial, and social indicators. The findings should then be shared, discussed, and adjustments or improvements made as needed.

5 How to find a green lease partner?

Finding a green lease partner can be challenging, particularly if green leasing is not yet common in the market. However, there are some strategies that can help you identify and connect with potential green lease partners. Doing research can help you understand the market conditions and resources available, such as online databases, directories, and platforms like the Green Lease Library, Building Energy Exchange, and Green Building Information Gateway. You can also consult with industry associations, organizations, and experts that promote and support green leasing. Marketing your value proposition is another way to showcase your commitment and capabilities to green leasing. You can use various channels and tools such as your website, social media, newsletters, brochures, and case studies to highlight your sustainability goals and achievements. Networking and building relationships is also beneficial in expanding reach and influence while establishing trust with potential green lease partners. Events, workshops, webinars such as the Green Lease Forum, Better Buildings Summit, or Greenbuild International Conference and Expo are great opportunities for networking. Additionally, joining communities and groups like the Green Lease Network, Green Building Council or Corporate Sustainability Network can facilitate connections with green lease practitioners.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?