Green Lost Steam in Down Economy

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Almost two-thirds of business leaders agree that incorporating green concepts into their buildings will attract and retain employees. However, for many facilities, the economic downturn thwarted plans to implement energy-saving equipment and technologies, according to a recent survey by Johnson Controls Inc. and the International Facility Management Association.

“Access to capital is the biggest barrier for companies seeking improvements in energy efficiency,” Darryll Fortune, director of global public relations for Johnson Controls Building Efficiency told BizTimes.com. “The financial fallout has made it more difficult for organizations to get money, which has pushed them to come up with their own ways of making an impact.”

If facility managers are implementing green initiatives, they are either only incorporating green concepts into new building projects, or they are implementing small changes in their existing buildings, such as staff training in green practices, Fortune explains. “Because of the rising cost of energy, companies will look at their balance sheet and begin shifting their attention to ways they can help bring those costs down,” he said. “For many companies that means engaging their employees, their facility management staff, and challenging them to do more individually to help with the savings.”

As healthcare reform continues to lose steam in Congress, emphasis on energy efficiency legislation and funding will grow, Fortune said in the BizTimes.com article. Fortune said that facility managers should consider major installations, such as solar and geo-thermal technology, but other retrofits exist that have an immediate return on investment.

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