When it comes to conservation, Cassidy & Pinkard Colliers is committed to doing its part. We are launching an awareness campaign in all the buildings we manage and encourage our tenants to join our efforts. This Sustainability Basics web site provides “Powerful Ideas™” tips for tenants that encourage everyone to take simple steps that can make a difference.

Objectives

The Cassidy & Pinkard Colliers’ Sustainability Basics web site will enable existing and future building tenants to:

• Explain the concept of sustainability
• Identify sustainable building practices in key areas
• Identify sustainable operations and maintenance practices
• Explain what the LEED for Commercial Interiors (LEED CI) and LEED for Existing Buildings (LEED EB) green building rating systems are
• Identify key leasing issues that that affect a tenant’s ability to earn LEED CI certification
• Identify resources for additional information

What is Sustainability?

In its most general form, sustainability is about creating new ways to live and prosper while ensuring an equitable, healthy future for all people and the planet. Sustainable development considers the impact of construction on ecological, social, and economic systems and strives to maintain balance and integration of these systems.

Using an Integrative, Whole-Systems Approach

An integrative approach to building design and operations is based on an understanding that all building systems and human activity within a building are connected and influenced by each other. Using this approach allows Cassidy & Pinkard Colliers to work together with our tenants to enhance building performance and create an entire building that operates as efficiently as possible and creates a healthy indoor environment for all building occupants. This concept can be applied to new and existing buildings as well as interior spaces. On a larger scale, the building and site can be viewed as part of a system that includes the surrounding ecosystem, the community, and the region.

Corporate Sustainability (the Triple Bottom Line)

The concept of a “Triple Bottom Line” is one in which an organization places equal importance on the social, environmental, and economic impacts of its business practices. Applying sustainability to the way Cassidy & Pinkard Colliers builds, operates, and maintains our buildings helps our tenants embrace this approach in these three areas.

• People. Sustainable building practices create healthier environments for our tenants and the community at large.
• Planet. Through resource conservation, reduced use of toxic chemicals, and other simple yet effective sustainability strategies, we can help protect the planet for future generations.
• Profit. Energy efficiency and water efficiency strategies reduce operating building operating costs, which saves our tenants money. Perhaps even more importantly, improved indoor environmental quality in our buildings helps our tenants to be healthier and more productive, resulting in greater return on their investment in salaries.