1) Set Corporate Sustainability Goals

• Set an office energy savings goal, perhaps as part of your broader set of corporate sustainability goals.
• The goal should have buy-in from senior leadership, and a credible target that enables and a roadmap for implementation.
• There are many ways to state an office energy savings goal including:
  • A commitment to invest in all energy efficiency measures with a certain pay-back
  • A commitment to occupy space that has achieved an Energy Star or LEED certification.
  • As a percent reduction in the kwhs used per square foot

2) Choose New Space & Determine Terms of Green Lease

• The buildout is already a time of investment and change in the tenant space.
• Incorporating smart energy efficient buildout design choices at this moment in time can reduce many aspects of the energy efficiency project's up-front cost.

3) Select Team/Partners

• Select an architect, designer and engineers who are familiar with whole systems thinking and with designing for energy efficiency.
• You'll need the right technical expertise on your team to calculate baseline energy usage and projected energy savings – vital information for making smart investment decisions and for measuring your returns down the road.
• Issue an RFQ before an RFP

4) Project Development

• Identify energy efficiency opportunities in the space.
• Evaluate the return on investment in energy bill savings from possible energy conservation measures (ECMs), comparing ECMs to a baseline for a typical/business-as-usual buildout.
  • Create a calibrated energy model that accounts for the interactive effects of various ECMs. (Only necessary for large spaces.)
  • Experiment with ECM bundles narrowing down to a few feasible options.
  • Incorporate eligible incentives and possible financing structures into overall project design cost evaluations.
• Select among ECMs based on financial, energy efficiency & sustainability criteria.
• Negotiate with building owner to get most efficient equipment and base building improvements

5) Project Implementation

• Select a contractor who has a solid track record of implementing all the features of your green buildout.
• Monitor the project as your energy efficient space takes shape.

6) Measurement and Verification

• Demonstrate that each ECM is working as intended and generating saving - option to measure individually or as interactive whole.
• Use appropriate IPMVP approach

7) Tenant Energy Management System

• Install TEMS which provides tenant energy use information and comparisons to benchmarks or other tenants.
• Ensure designated person monitors energy usage so that space and equipment can be modified for greater efficiency.

8) Employee Engagement & Education

• Establish a program to help employees reduce their own energy and water use.
• Provide tools and incentives for employee energy efficiency practices.

9) Marketing Strategy

• Highlight your energy efficient office space in your corporate reporting
• Include the office space in your sustainability PR
• Point out the green office when recruiting employees.