Program Funds and Inspires Innovative Sustainability Solutions in Commercial Real Estate
September 28, 2012 Beijing –CBRE Group, Inc., (NYSE:CBG) today announced the launch of the Real Green Research Challenge (RGRC), a four-year, US$1 million commitment to fund leading-edge sustainability research and innovation relating to commercial real estate. The program was unveiled today at The Climate Group’s Climate Week NYC.
CBRE is accepting submissions for research proposals, with the goal of developing solutions to the industry’s critical environmental challenges.
“We’ve seen growing market awareness of commercial buildings’ impact on the environment,” said Bob Sulentic, CBRE’s President. “This has inspired new thinking and innovation in sustainability research. However, people with good ideas often lack financial support and access to real-time market data and insight into building construction, occupancy and management that only a global firm like CBRE can provide. Our RGRC program will help to unleash innovation by connecting ideas with funding and with CBRE’s unparalleled information and people resources.”
Over the next four years, CBRE will award up to US$1 million to fund independent academic research into sustainable real estate practices. Selected applicants will receive up to $250,000 for basic research and implementation, with initial funding in February 2013. In addition to monetary funds, RGRC-funded projects will have access to CBRE’s global market data and resources, which can help them to commercialize their ideas.
“We believe that the China market will appreciate the Real Green Research Challenge,” says Chris Brooke, President & CEO, CBRE in China. “It’s the industry’s first funding mechanism that supports research, innovation and collaboration of sustainability practices on a global scale. We hope that the next great idea comes from a Chinese researcher and can create a meaningful impact in future sustainable commercial real estate practices.”
CBRE has assembled an authoritative panel of internal and external global experts and thought-leaders to evaluate research proposals. The judges include members of academia, non-governmental organizations and industry. The types of research the RGRC program will fund include productivity studies, large-scale predictive modeling, energy efficiency technologies, data management programs, diagnostic tools, and market-wide availability.
"Commercial buildings can generate serious environmental impacts for both current and future generations. However, smart research and innovation can significantly reduce these impacts,” said Mark Kenber, CEO of The Climate Group. “Therefore we support CBRE’s efforts with the RGRC and applaud its commitment to bringing its resources to bear for positive environmental change."
About CBRE Group, Inc.
CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBG), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Los Angeles, is the world’s largest commercial real estate services firm (in terms of 2011 revenue). The Company has approximately 34,000 employees (excluding affiliates), and serves real estate owners, investors and occupiers through more than 300 offices (excluding affiliates) worldwide. CBRE offers strategic advice and execution for property sales and leasing; corporate services; property, facilities and project management; mortgage banking; appraisal and valuation; development services; investment management; and research and consulting. Please visit our website at www.cbre.com.
About CBRE Group, Inc.
CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBG), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Los Angeles, is the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm (in terms of 2014 revenue). The Company has more than 70,000 employees (excluding affiliates), and serves real estate owners, investors and occupiers through more than 400 offices (excluding affiliates) worldwide. CBRE offers strategic advice and execution for property sales and leasing; corporate services; property, facilities and project management; mortgage banking; appraisal and valuation; development services; investment management; and research and consulting. Please visit our website at www.cbre.com.
