The Mayor’s Office of Sustainability, in collaboration with the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), Building Owners and Managers Association of New York (BOMA NY), and Urban Green Council, have announced the launch of Sustainability Boot Camp, an energy efficiency and sustainability training pilot program for New York building managers, superintendents, operators and engineers that will be held at REBNY’s headquarters in Midtown starting this April.
The pilot program – sponsored by CodeGreen Solutions, ConEdison Solutions, National Grid, NORESCO, and Zones – will offer Urban Green Council’s existing GPRO Operations & Maintenance Essentials (O&M) certificate and BOMA’s Energy Efficiency Program (BEEP) training.
Sustainability Boot Camp will complement citywide sustainability initiatives including Mayor de Blasio’s OneNYC goal of 80 by 50, a blueprint to reduce citywide greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050.
Mayor de Blasio’s One City: Built to Last green buildings plan specifically commits to a 30 percent reduction in private sector building emissions by 2025; and the Sustainability Boot Camp will help buildings become greener and more sustainable, while bringing down energy costs.
To maximize participation, those registering for programming will be charged a heavily discounted fee of $30 per person. The first weekday course will take place on Monday, April 7, 2016 at REBNY’s headquarters in Midtown. Each of the courses will be taught by a combination of trained instructors and industry experts.
Many of the largest commercial and residential owners and managers in New York City have agreed to participate in Sustainability Boot Camp, including: ATCO Properties and Management, CBRE, Inc., Cushman & Wakefield, Edward J. Minskoff Equities, Jones Lang LaSalle, Related Companies, Rockefeller Group Development Corporation, Rudin Management, RXR Realty, and Vornado Realty Trust New York.
Sustainability Boot Camp is ideal for property managers and building staff in multi-family residential and commercial buildings including: building superintendents, operators, facility and property managers, and operating and stationary engineers.
As global climate change continues to impact human populations and natural ecosystems, these courses are another example of the continued work New York City’s real estate professionals and leaders are doing to ensure that New York remains a leader in terms of sustainability efforts, and transform the environment to be better suited for the future.
“Improving the way we operate our buildings is vital to controlling our greenhouse gas emissions,” said Daniel Zarrilli, NYC’s Senior Director of Climate Policy and Programs. “This partnership highlights the success of public and private stakeholders working together to combat climate change and helps train our workforce for the next generation of jobs.”
“Building energy performance depends on how well building owners and operators know how to maximize their energy systems and building components,” said Nilda Mesa, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability.
“To meet our 80 x 50 goals we all need to work together, and we are delighted that REBNY, BOMA and the Urban Green Council, are our partners in leading the way.”
Council Member Costa Constantinides, Chair of the Council’s Environmental Protection Committee said: “The Sustainability Boot Camp will teach building managers how to make their properties more sustainable and energy-efficient.
