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proactive step toward a sustainable future while securing additional recognition for the project team’s initiatives.
Option 3. Green Lease Leaders Recognition
Option 3 rewards teams that join the Green Lease Leaders Program, an initiative developed by the IMT with support from the U.S. Department of Energy. Open to the U.S. and international companies including those in Canada, Europe, Australia, the United Kingdom, Japan, Costa Rica, and Mexico, this three-year program offers valuable guidance to practitioners and teams on best leasing practices to foster mutually beneficial landlord-tenant relationships. To help create more sustainable buildings and energy efficient spaces, the program focuses on providing resources that address four key steps to achieving long-term high-performance buildings: site selection, lease negotiations, tenant fit-out, and tenant operations.
Participants benefit from established guidelines and free support while developing their green leases, as well as peer leadership recognition and substantial energy savings when leases have been implemented. [13] The program also serves as an essential avenue to demonstrate commitment to corporate ESG objectives and net-zero goals. Participating organizations enhance their reputation and contribute to broader sustainability initiatives within the community. Green Lease Leaders awards recognition through a tiered system, which includes three levels of achievement: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. [14] The recognition criteria align with the U.S. EPA’s ENERGY STAR® Tenant Space recognition program . [15] The points awarded at each level correspond to the complexity and scope of the actions taken to implement green leasing practices.
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Silver level . Recognizes the establishment of foundational policies and business practices (e.g., a standard lease form that incorporates green lease language) that encourages reduced energy and water consumption in leased spaces. For instance, the prerequisite of the program minimum efficiency fit-out requires bests practices, such as ENERGY STAR ®-certified appliances and equipment, meter/submeter tenant energy, use only low/no VOC paints, finishes, and adhesives.
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Gold level . Builds on silver level achievements and recognizes execution of green leases and utility-efficient tenant fit-outs. For instance, this level may require performance goal clauses within an executed lease.
13 “ENERGY STAR® Tenant Space”, ENERGY STAR®, (n.d.), https://www.energystar.gov/buildings/building_recognition/tenant_space_recognition. 14 “Program Requirements - Green Lease Leaders”, Green Lease Leaders, (n.d.), https://www.greenleaseleaders.com/green- leasing/program-requirements/#silver. 15 “ENERGY STAR® Tenant Space,” ENERGY STAR®.
U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, April 2025 Launch Edition 48