Net-Zero Energy Leasing

RMI is working with industry leaders to deliver leases that save energy and costs for landlords and tenants alike. RMI’s green leasing resources helped it secure a Green Lease Leaders award through the Department of Energy and the Institute for Market Transformation.

What Is Net-Zero Energy Leasing?

RMI is developing green leasing guidelines that landlords across the public and private sectors can use to drive buildings to use less energy, benefit landlords and tenants financially, and support the benefits of healthier, more productive workplaces.

Why It Matters

Net-zero energy buildings have experienced a boom in popularity. But despite industry progress, the number of leased NZE buildings lags significantly behind the number of owner-occupied projects. Over half of commercial buildings nationally are leased, so this presents a significant impediment to meeting carbon reduction targets.

Who's Involved

RMI has worked with the federal government (GSA and Department of Energy), the Urban Land Institute, and the Institute for Market Transformation on national efforts. At Boulder Commons, Morgan Creek Ventures worked with RMI and its counsel, the legal team at Holland & Hart, to develop a first-of-its-kind lease structure that built a strong business case for both tenants and landlords to actively contribute to meet the development’s goals.

What We’ve Accomplished

RMI worked with the team at Boulder Commons to develop Colorado’s first NZE lease, and the first NZE lease in the country for a project of this size, setting a new precedent for other landlords and tenants to follow.
RMI helped lead the GSA Green Building Advisory Committee develop clear, simple and actionable model green lease criteria that can be used by the federal government and the commercial real estate industry to drive toward green leasing practices.
RMI developed the guide Best Practices for Leasing NZE Buildings, which demonstrates the value proposition for tenants and landlords alike of net zero energy in leased buildings. This guide provides national case studies, lease terms, and a step-by-step guide, and most importantly, it breaks down the business case.