News

Contact: Mike Gehrig
(312) 988-2065
mgehrig@thegbi.org

BOMA signs MOU with Green Building Initiative
-- Partnership will promote sustainable development and energy efficiency --

Washington, DC (March 12, 2008) – The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Green Building Initiative (GBI) to set forth objectives to work together to promote sustainable development and energy efficiency

BOMA and GBI will support each other’s efforts, including the BOMA Energy Efficiency Program (BEEP) and GBI’s work to ensure operational efficiency through the Green Globes module for Continual Improvement of Existing Buildings, and both organizations will support the need for voluntary, market-driven initiatives that encourage the adoption of green building practices among building owners and managers.

“We look forward to working with the Green Building Initiative as we push the next phase of sustainable development and energy efficiency,” said BOMA International Chairman and Chief Elected Officer Brenna S. Walraven, RPA, CPM, executive managing director, national property management, USAA Real Estate Company. “By sharing educational and benchmarking tools, promoting sustainable performance and working together on key advocacy issues, we can transform the marketplace.”

"We're thrilled to have the support of BOMA and believe that this new partnership will benefit both organizations as we strive towards the common goal of a better built environment,” said Ward Hubbell, president of the GBI. "Working with an organization the caliber of BOMA will help us further strengthen our sustainability management tools and make them even more accessible and effective for the mainstream design and building community.”

BOMA and GBI will be working together on several objectives, including but not limited to the following:

1. Promote the design, construction and operation of buildings that are energy efficient, healthier and environmentally responsible by, among other things, providing education and training to BOMA members
2. Acknowledging voluntary standards as the desired goal, BOMA and GBI agree to open dialogue on legislative and regulatory initiatives designed to aid the marketplace embrace of best practices in green construction and sustainable operations
3. Provide access to the Green Globes tool to BOMA members and BOMA education and information for GBI users
4. Promote the link between sustainable design and actual performance outcomes through tools such as Green Globes for Continual improvement of Existing Buildings and the promotion of educational materials, such as BEEP, ENERGY STAR® and future workshops and training.

Founded in 1907, the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International is an international federation of more than 100 local associations and affiliated organizations. The 17,000-plus members of BOMA International own or manage more than 9 billion square feet of commercial properties in North America and abroad. BOMA’s mission is to enhance the human, intellectual and physical assets of the commercial real estate industry through advocacy, education, research, standards and information. On the Web at www.boma.org.

For more information on the available or upcoming GBI resources, visit www.thegbi.org.

ABOUT THE GREEN BUILDING INITIATIVE:The mission of the Green Building Initiative is to accelerate the adoption of building practices that result in energy-efficient, healthier and environmentally sustainable buildings by promoting credible and practical green building approaches. A not-for-profit education initiative, the GBI is supported by a broad cross section of organizations and individuals with an interest in residential and commercial construction. For more information on the Green Building Initiative, please visit www.thegbi.org.