Commercial real estate is experiencing a paradigm shift, as sustainability is increasingly considered a cost of capital. Across the industry, sustainability is no longer an afterthought; rather, it is becoming a proactive measure seen by owners, managers and investors as a means to lower operating costs and increase asset value.

Market forces increasingly drive sustainability: Tenants and investors are demanding better-operated buildings and, as a result, investments made in energy-efficiency upgrades yield better tenant attraction and demand higher rental rates and asset values.

To optimally improve energy efficiency and build sustainability, a whole toolbox of different measures may be necessary to fix up, fine-tune or rebuild various components of a building or the way it operates. Depending on the project, an energy audit and retro-commissioning study may be sufficient for some, while others may require far more extensive measures. Regulatory pressures, available r