Newswire

REBNY Launches Energy Efficient Education Program

The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), the Institute for Market Transformation (IMT), and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Initiative announced the launch of “Creating & Capturing the Value of Real Estate Sustainability in NYC,” an energy efficiency and sustainability continuing education program for New York real estate agents and salespersons. Starting in May, the day-long continuing education course will be held at REBNY’s Midtown headquarters.

“Tenants are demanding more efficient buildings that save money and emit less pollution in their city,” said Mark Chambers, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability. “This initiative equips brokers with information on energy efficiency, helping them better serve New Yorkers while advancing ambitious citywide climate goals.”

The course will explain how once-niche green concepts are evolving into high-performance standards across office, retail and industrial segments, and how real estate professionals can take advantage of long- and short-term sustainability trends and best practices. Participants will earn 7.5 hours of continuing education credit.

“With nearly 70% of carbon emissions in New York City coming from buildings, taking energy efficiency and sustainability into account at the earliest stage in transactions is critical,” said Marc Rauch, senior specialist, New York Clean Energy Real Estate at Environmental Defense Fund. “This unprecedented initiative by the Real Estate Board of New York gives brokers the tools to increase their own competitiveness by showcasing the environmental and economic benefits of high performing buildings and helping customers save energy, cut pollution and ultimately contribute to a better quality of life for all New Yorkers.”

Trained instructors from the Institute for Market Transformation and other industry experts will help licensed agents and salespersons represent their clients and customers more effectively, as well as use their unique position to help building owners and tenants use their spaces more efficiently and reduce energy consumption. NY Green Bank, a New York State-sponsored, specialized financial entity working with the private sector to increase investments into New York’s clean energy markets, will present an overview of its new commercial tenant energy efficiency financing product.

The course will complement state and citywide sustainability initiatives, helping New York State achieve Governor Cuomo’s nation-leading goal of a 100 percent carbon neutral economy by 2040 and Mayor de Blasio’s OneNYC goal of reducing citywide greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050.

“This course is a great way to raise awareness among real estate professionals and in turn, teach the public how to make buildings more energy efficient and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This course and programs like it are critical to meeting the New York’s ambitious climate goals,” said John H. Banks, REBNY president.

Agents from many of the largest residential and commercial real estate brokerages in New York City have agreed to participate in the course including Cushman & Wakefield, Vornado, CBRE, The Durst Organization, JLL, and FirstService.

“The case for New York City’s commercial real estate brokers to become well-versed in high-performing building practices has never been stronger,” said Chris Brown, Director of Private Sector Engagement at the Institute for Market Transformation (IMT). “More cities, investors, and businesses are demanding properties that optimize energy use, improve occupant health, and lower carbon emissions. Energy efficiency addresses all of these concerns. IMT’s course provides commercial brokers with foundational understanding on the immense business benefits of high-performance buildings. We thank REBNY, the Department of Energy, NYSERDA, EDF, and other participating groups for their collaboration and leadership on this important initiative.”

In 2016, REBNY launched a successful energy efficiency and sustainability training pilot program for New York building managers, superintendents, operators and engineers. To register for “Creating & Capturing the Value of Real Estate Sustainability in NYC,” visit:  go.rebny.com/SustainableBroker