Glossary

A product that screws into a faucet and adds air to the water; this reduces the amount of water consumed while also controlling the stream of water

The annual principal and interest on outstanding debt

The cash flow after debt service and capital expenditures are subtracted from net operating income, but before income-tax considerations

How a building performs in relation to its peers

A helpful calculation when carrying out a cost-benefit analysis to determine if a project makes sense from a financial standpoint

The human condition of seeking connection with nature and other living beings

The control of sound in a building

The life of a building from idea conception to renovation or demolition

Entity that holds title to the property

Human-made environments where people live, work, and play

Expenditures to increase the useful life of the property that last for more than one year

A measure of the amount of carbon dioxide that is produced by the daily activities of a person or company

Calculates the rate of return on the cash invested in a property based on the annual cash income earned

One of the most ambitious plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the world, and pledges New York City to carbon neutrality by 2050

The risk of climate change causing consequences to the property

A plan that lays out how the property and organization will adjust building operations to incorporate climate science recommendations

Programming that engages the community to enhance the social dimension within health beyond building occupants

A system where community members and farmers are connected through community members purchasing a seasonal share of the farmer's crops and participating in the risks and benefits of the farmer's harvest

A business model that takes into account the economic, social, and environmental impacts the corporation has on multiple stakeholders versus the impact solely on the owners of the company

A decision-making tool to determine if the benefits outweigh the costs of a potential investment throughout the product lifecycle

The protection of the networking system, hardware, software, and data of a property and organization from cyber attacks

A technique that allows natural light into the building space and reduces the energy load requirements for lighting

Population data such as education, income, religion, gender, ethnicity, race, age, and marital status information

The cost of capital or a required "hurdle" rate of return metric that an investment must minimally achieve

An analysis that takes into account the time value of money by applying a discount rate to discount the future cash flows

The characteristics that make individuals unique, including race, gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, abilities, and others

An irrigation method that can save water and fertilizer by applying water directly to the root zone either on or below the soil surface through artificial methods

The net revenue of the property

An assessment of energy use and efficiency within the property

Household energy costs as a percentage of gross household income

Fair treatment and meaningful involvement for all regarding environmental policies

A framework to address resource management risks by increasing operational efficiency and mitigating environmental impacts

Allows groups with power to construct and use environmental amenities for themselves and deny these amenities to less privileged groups

Regulations at the federal, state, and/or local levels with the goal of improving environmental quality and protecting human health

A set of standards used by socially conscious investors to evaluate investments

The disclosure of environmental, social, and governance data

An assessment framework used as an ESG benchmark for real estate assets

Actions undertaken to minimize the environmental impact of a building

Green building certifications for the operations and maintenance phase of the building lifecycle such as LEED O+M, IREM CSP, BREEAM In-Use, and ENERGY STAR Certification

A lease that involves collaboration between property owner, property manager, and property tenant to align green building interests by sharing in the costs and benefits of incorporating sustainable initiatives within the building space

A national program that provides a framework for implementing green lease standards

Gases that trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere

An international standard that helps account for, report, and mitigate GHG emissions in a standardized framework

A marketing tactic that portrays a property to be greener than it actually is

A “state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity,” as defined by The World Health Organization (WHO)

When structures like buildings and parking lots absorb and re-emit more heat from the sun than natural surfaces and create higher temperatures

The length of time a property is owned

Excessive consumption of goods

Creating a culture where everyone feels a sense of belonging and is valued for their unique perspectives and contributions

The quality of the air within a building space

Indoor environmental quality that encompasses indoor air quality, acoustics, thermal comfort, lighting, and views from a building

A pest control program that encompasses a more holistic strategy to lower the risks to people and the environment and focuses on the building and the surrounding landscape areas

Systems that supply water to land through artificial methods

A mindfulness tool constructed of detailed passageways that can foster relaxation

A request submitted by a tenant to building owners to compare various building space opportunities

A plan containing guidelines concerning leasing parameters such as rent, rent term, concessions, tenant allowances, and common area maintenance pass-throughs

A third-party green building certification

When artificial light is used excessively or inappropriately at night

A contract between the building owner and property management company outlining the responsibilities of the property management company

The analysis of demographic and economic profiles of the region and neighborhood as they relate to the subject property

A plan containing the marketing goals for the property in order to attract tenants

A theory stating that lower-level needs have to be satisfied before moving to higher-level needs

A mindfulness practice that can be restorative in nature

The psychological aspect of human health such as emotional well-being

Builders that build buildings for resale in the near future

Focusing on the present moment without judgment

Renewable energy metering that provides a renewable energy certificate (REC) from a public-utility provider for power generated but not used by the building, power which can then be sold to others or used as a credit against the building’s energy usage

Total Operating Revenue minus Total Operating Expenses

Buildings that consume less energy than they produce

A helpful calculation when carrying out a cost-benefit analysis to determine if an investor will move forward with a project

Buildings that consume as much energy as they produce

Water that is not of drinking quality

An energy source that will eventually run out, such as fossil fuels

Regularly occurring costs for operating and maintaining the day-to-day activities at a property

A legally binding international treaty on climate change with the aim of limiting global warming

The time period it takes to recover the initial capital outlay of an investment through revenue or cost savings

The physical aspect of human health such as blood pressure level, weight, and physical exercise

The energy used by products that are plugged into an outlet

Water that is of drinking quality

Revenue minus expenses

A forecasted statement of cash flow

Management of a property during the operations and maintenance phase of the building lifecycle

Entity that manages the operations and maintenance of the property

The collection of rainwater runoff to a storage system, such as a tank, that can be used later

Entities that own or finance income-producing real estate through capital from many investors

Where funds are put annually to save for planned building component replacements as well as serve as an emergency fund

How resources such as energy, water, and waste are handled at a property

Calculation that takes into account the gain or loss over the life of ownership divided by the invested debt and equity

A model used to minimize the negative impact of risks

Entities that own shares in a company's stock

When contaminants and pollutants reach a certain level within the building and cause building occupants severe discomfort including headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and/or irritation to the eyes, nose, or throat

A calculation that determines the amount of time it takes to recover the upfront costs of an investment

Buildings with building systems such as HVAC, lighting, and security that are linked with real-time sensors that provide information to enable building automation with the goal of increasing building efficiencies as well as lowering operational costs

An electronic device with a level of interactivity and autonomy

Technology that uses soil moisture sensors or weather data to determine irrigation needs

The social aspect of human health such as relationships with others

Social policies that are just and fair for all people

Amenities that encourage socialization

Entities that are impacted by a company's operations

A financial statement that illustrates the financial health of the property

Rain and snowmelt that does not soak into the ground

Services and supplies used to operate the property and organization

The ability to meet current generation needs without compromising future generation needs

Implementation of green building initiatives during the operations and maintenance phase of the building lifecycle, taking into account their environmental, social, and economic impacts

An operating plan developed by the property management company, with collaboration from various stakeholders, that outlines sustainability initiatives to be undertaken at the property and how these initiatives align with property ownership goals

The theory that individual stakeholder groups do not exist alone but in a system where they are interdependent on each other

Entity that occupies the property leased from a landlord

Programs to help tenants learn about ways to incorporate sustainable property management practices on a regular basis

A survey administered to tenants to receive feedback on property management and operations that can inform recommendations for the property moving forward

The sense of whether a person feels too hot or too cold

The idea that an amount of money is worth more now than the same amount of money in the future

A third-party zero waste certification

Seventeen interconnected goals, introduced in 2015 with the intention to be achieved by 2030, that provide pathways for a more sustainable future for all

Built environment design that creates accessibility to the greatest extent possible

The initial capital outlay for a product or service

Contractors and suppliers that provide services and supplies to the property

Airborne chemicals that are emitted from many products such as paint, carpeting, furniture, office equipment, and cleaning supplies

A third-party scoring metric that illustrates the walkability level of the property

A strategy implemented at the property for waste disposal, reduction, reuse, and prevention

A labeling program for water-efficient products sponsored by the EPA

Helps building users access and navigate the building space by providing identification, directional, orientation, and regulation signage

Community members not directly involved with building operations

Using native drought-resistant plants