The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) has joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) ENERGY STAR program as a Partner.
"IFMA is excited to be joining ENERGY STAR," says IFMA President and Chief Executive Officer David J. Brady. "We believe helping our members improve the energy efficiency of their operations will enhance each facility's financial health and help preserve the environment for future generations to enjoy."
As an ENERGY STAR Partner, IFMA says it plans to promote continuous improvement in energy performance to its 19,000 members. Among IFMA's plans:
—Set a goal for members to improve the energy efficiency of their facilities by 10 percent or more and develop and implement a plan to achieve this goal by following the ENERGY STAR Energy Management Guidelines;
—Ask members to commit to the ENERGY STAR Challenge - a national call to action designed to improve the energy efficiency of America's commercial and industrial buildings by 10 percent or more;
—Encourage U.S. members to partner with ENERGY STAR and measure and track the energy performance of their facilities by using tools and training such as those offered through the ENERGY STAR program;
—Appeal to staff and members to learn about the benefits of energy efficiency and to implement appropriate energy efficiency measures;
—Highlight its achievements with recognition offered by ENERGY STAR and provide internal recognition to facility managers who achieve large annual energy savings.
In partnership with IFMA, ENERGY STAR plans to:
—Assist IFMA in achieving its energy efficiency goals by providing informational, technical and educational support to the association and its members;
—Explore opportunities to collaborate on the development of new educational programs for facility managers.
"We are pleased to have IFMA join us. American businesses and consumers continue to seek cost-effective strategies that respond to climate change," said ENERGY STAR National Manager for Commercial Property Markets Stuart Brodsky. "The great scope of IFMA's membership and ENERGY STAR's track record of environmental achievement are a winning combination to further ourmutual goals."
The partnership will be formally announced on Friday, Oct. 26, during the World Workplace 2007 Conference & Expo in New Orleans, La.
