IREM and U.S. Green Building Council sign Memorandum of Intent

The Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recently signed a Memorandum of Intent outlining collaborative efforts to promote green building development, energy efficiency and environmentally responsible building operations. The memorandum establishes a cooperative working relationship between IREM and the USGBC that promotes healthy, environmentally responsible and sustainable building management practices. As well, it acknowledges voluntary measures to meet desired goals and calls for open dialogue on legislative and regulatory initiatives that embrace best practices in green construction and high-performance operations. "IREM members are committed to adopting sustainable building operating practices to help ensure that the properties they manage are environmentally sound, healthy places to live, work and shop," said IREM president Regina Mullins, CPM. "Collaborating with the USGBC to promote sustainable practices reinforces that commitment. It also generates considerable potential for energy savings and other positive outcomes that ultimately will enhance bottom-line results." The U.S. Green Building Council is a non-profit organization committed to expanding sustainable building practices. USGBC is composed of more than 15,000 organizations from across the building industry that are working to advance structures that are environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy places to live and work. Members includes building owners and end-users, real estate developers, facility managers, architects, designers, engineers, general contractors, subcontractors, product and building system manufacturers, government agencies, and nonprofits.