According to the World Green Building Council, 39% of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions contributing to the global climate crisis are generated through manufactured buildings.

Since we spend the majority of our lives using indoor spaces to gather, work, socialize and live it is something to consider for those who are looking for environmentally friendly options.

MEB Management Services has recently created the MEB Sustainability Committee (MEB) to address environmental issues and adapt sustainability practices for their multifamily properties throughout Arizona and the Southwest.

MEB believes it is their social responsibility to reduce carbon emissions in the assets they manage. Their goal is to have no less than 75% of their properties engaging in energy-saving initiatives.

How? MEB is taking a two-pronged approach by using ESG ratings to measure long-term environmental, social and governance risks and educating and sharing sustainable practices with its residents and management teams.

Though a collaborative effort, MEB is able to reduce emissions by making changes to both new and existing apartment buildings. On a larger scale, MEB has partnered with one of the most sustainably conscious builders in the Arizona on two new multifamily developments.

Since older buildings that have been in existence for years produce some of the worst emissions are not privy to the efficiencies or scale economies of new construction, MEB has researched and implemented a variety of practical, sustainable changes to help reduce the ecological impact of mature buildings.

One example is introducing solar energy. With an average of 296 sunny days in Arizona each year, solar energy makes sense. While this can sometimes be a large, expensive project for existing buildings, it proves to be beneficial to the environment and residents energy bills. The installation of solar panels are just one of the many energy-saving renovations MEB is implementing.

They have also adopted the APS Multifamily Energy Efficiency Program to change outdated lightbulbs for more energy efficient LED lightbulbs. Through the MEEP program, if 80% of buildings agree to use LED lightbulbs, APS will install them for free. This modification has been quite beneficial for many apartments. It is a slight change that makes a big difference in environmental efficiency.

Residents are encouraged to recycle common items through the cities recycle programs and even compost if it makes sense. Unplugging items not in use and lowering the thermostat in winter months or raising it during the summer hours while not at home are also effortless ways for tenants to save energy.

There is also an opportunity to gain sustainability certification through the CSP program and others like it. The CSP program provides sustainability best practices and evaluation and only after the building makes all the energy saving modifications will be awarded the certification.

MEB has also partnered with utility management companies to monitor and report on energy and water consumption. Through these partnerships, residents can reduce their personal emissions and minimize costly bills.

This also equips asset managers and owners with ESG reporting capabilities to report to institutional investors and other financial stakeholders.

Learn more www.mebapts.com.

About the author

Barry Manual is chief information officer of local MEB Management Services and he leads their sustainability committee.