Resources
This list of resources that can support sustainability efforts. Some are internal to the Federal Government, the Department, and OBO, while others are public. All of these tools can be used by Post Green Teams to support their work in achieving sustainability goals.
Greening Diplomacy Initiative
The Department of State
https://overseasbuildings.state.gov/green_initiatives
Launched by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2009, the goal of Greening Diplomacy Initiative (GDI) is to improve the environmental sustainability of the Department’s global operations. Advanced by the Department’s Greening Council, GDI challenges the Department to develop and implement policies and actions that lessen its overall environmental footprint, reduce costs, and ensure sustainability remains at the forefront of U.S. foreign policy.
Green Team Toolkit
Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations
http://obo.m.state.sbu/greenteam/pages/green-team-toolkit.aspx
The Green Team Toolkit is an online resource developed to complement the Guide and further support staff engagement. With over 150 green teams, this ‘one-stop-shop’ is intended to unify the Department’s GDI messaging, facts, and branding of eco-diplomacy for posts’ greening champions. This set of prepared tools, tips, templates, and formalized guidance from management allows Post Green Teams to focus on results and benefits. The Toolkit provides practical information regarding Green Team start-up, organization, and communication techniques, as well as how to plan and execute successful community events, implement actions to produce tangible results, and recognize peers for their greening success.
Utility Management, Analysis, and Reporting Tool
Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations
http://obo.m.state.sbu/greenteam/pages/utilitymanagement.aspx
In 2007, OBO launched the Utility Data Portal to support reporting from posts on federal performance goals. In 2013, to provide more advanced tools for utility management and analysis, OBO deployed the Tririga Real Estate Environmental Sustainability (TREES) database to all posts.
TREES provides graphic feedback for over 22 metrics focused on energy and water cost and consumption, as well as GHG emissions. Baseline and annual data entered into the system enable posts to better manage building performance, compare performance with like buildings in similar climate zones, and evaluate progress in achieving sustainability goals.
Using TREES, OBO continues to achieve new breakthroughs by using information technology (IT) to measure and manage the performance of the Department’s global portfolio. Figure 3 showcases OBO’s Utility Dashboard, an interactive tool offering insights into utility consumption, costs, comparisons, and trends against targets. The Dashboard is available to all the Department’s personnel, offering the ability to drill down from a high-level view of worldwide performance to a low-level view of building performance.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
U.S. Green Building Council
http://www.usgbc.org
LEED for New Construction (LEED®-NC) provides a base for sustainable operation and maintenance. In 2008, the Department committed to certifying new U.S. embassy and consulate construction through LEED-NC. In addition to the current list of 40 LEED certified U.S. diplomatic missions, the Department has over 30 projects registered with the U.S. Green Building Council. (see https://overseasbuildings.state.gov/green_initiatives/certified_missions and https://overseasbuildings.state.gov/green_initiatives/registered_missions)
LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance (LEED® EB:OM) supports sustainable facilities management by certifying policies and plans for reporting, inspection, and review to ensure high building performance over time. Posts can demonstrate progress in green building by obtaining LEED EB:OM certification for main facilities (contact OBO for assistance) and by holding a press briefing to share this success publicly.