Real estate developer Hines has unveiled a green office program designed to enhance the sustainable features and operation of the space the firm occupies—more than 230 offices on four continents. Designed to complement the LEED rating system and the Energy Star “Bring Your Green to Work” program, HinesGO (short for Hines GREEN OFFICE) draws on 52 years of sustainable expertise attained through the development, management, and acquisition of more than 1,100 properties around the world.
HinesGO helps identify and implement no-cost and low-cost alternatives to operating in a standard indoor office environment. Scored on a scale of 100, offices are evaluated in seven categories: Energy Efficiency; People & Atmosphere; Travel & Commuting; Reduce, Reuse & Recycle; Cleaning & Pest Control; Remodeling & Construction; and LEED and/or Energy Star. When a specific strategy or improvement has been implemented, participants earn “Leaf Credits.” If an office achieves 70 Leaf Credits, it is then designated as a Hines GREEN OFFICE.
The program encourages employees to conduct cost-benefit analyses for improvements that can be achieved at nominal cost. For example, with the installation of occupancy light sensors, the HinesGO scorecard indicates there might be some upfront investment, which will likely be returned through reduced operating expenses.
Hines initiated the program internally in December 2008 and has since designated 89 Hines GREEN OFFICES in the United States and Europe. Hines is currently adapting the program for tenant use as a value-add to its leasing and property management services. This offering should be available later this year for the tenants of the 177 properties that Hines manages around the world.
