Directing sustainable investments in commercial real estate

This paper focuses on the facility costs, energy use and water consumption of commercial real estate. A framework consisting of four components is established in which the performances on these three aspects are analysed. By using the first, second and third part of the framework suggestions for reducing the energy and water consumption can be given. The building related facility costs form the fourth component, which make it possible to give a more profound direction to cost-effective sustainable measures. The framework was applied to three Dutch office buildings from comparable age with a floor area up to 37.890 m(2). The combination of qualitative, quantitative and financial analyses can be an useful instrument for facility managers to manage and reduce facility costs effectively.