The City of Houston has launched the 2016 Houston Green Office Challenge, a 10-week voluntary program to recognize businesses and green buildings in the community. Now in its 5th year, the challenge provides training and resources to help building owners, property managers, management districts, and tenants reduce energy and water consumption, increase waste diversion, promote transportation options, and increase engagement between property managers and tenants.
“The Houston Green Office Challenge is not just about helping Houstonians save money and improve the environment,” said Lisa Lin, Sustainability Manager for the City of Houston. “It’s also about looking at how our buildings affect the health and well-being of employees and our community, both of which are starting to be a focus for many property managers. This is a great way for the City to encourage property managers to engage with their tenants and discuss how they can work collaboratively on sustainability initiatives in their buildings.”
The Houston-wide challenge will bring local sustainability experts together with businesses and properties to learn and engage in both introductory and high performance green building practices through free workshops, training, and networking events. The program will focus on activities drawn from seven main categories: education and outreach; energy efficiency; water conservation; materials and waste; interiors, exteriors and purchasing; transportation; and stakeholder engagement. Completing activities earns points, and points move participants up a leader board, with top performers rewarded with prizes and public recognition.
“We are very excited to participate in the Houston Green Office Challenge again,” said Joe Fong, Senior Associate at Walter P Moore. “It helps motivate our green team and demonstrate that Walter P Moore embraces sustainability not only through our projects but also through our employee and office initiatives.”
“At Lincoln Property Company, we are always looking for innovative ways to connect with our tenants,” said Maria L. Flores, V.P. of Property Management. “The Houston Green Office Challenges helps us provide them resources to make the best, informed decisions for launching environmental initiatives in their office. We are very excited to participate again in this year’s program.”
The longevity of this program is attributed to supporters and sponsors who have helped provide subject matter expertise and financial resources to continue engagement. Shell has generously returned as the program sponsor for 2016.
“Shell is proud to sponsor the 2016 Houston Green Office Challenge,” said John Beltrami, Facilities Manager of Shell’s Woodcreek office. “This program is a great way to engage the business community in a dialogue about corporate social responsibility. We all need to work together to help make Houston a more sustainable place.”
Participants’ activities will be measured throughout the 10-week challenge, culminating in recognition and awards for progress made. An awards ceremony will be held in December.
For more information and to register, please visit .www.houstongoc.org