CBRE to fund sustainability research in commercial real estate

CBRE has unveiled a $1 million program to fund research into sustainable development in commercial real estate.

The Real Green Research Challenge is a four-year program to develop solutions to the industry’s environmental challenges.

CBRE is accepting research proposals for the program, which was unveiled at The Climate Group’s Climate Week New York City.

“We’ve seen growing market awareness of commercial buildings’ impact on the environment,” says Bob Sulentic, CBRE’s president.

“This has inspired new thinking and innovation in sustainability research. However, people with good ideas often lack financial support and access to real-time market data and insight into building construction, occupancy and management that only a global firm like CBRE can provide.

“Our RGRC program will help to unleash innovation by connecting ideas with funding and with CBRE’s unparalleled information and people resources.”

Successful applicants will receive up to $250,000 for basic research and implementation, with initial funding in February 2013.

As well as financial support, projects will have access to CBRE’s global market data and resources.

The program is looking to fund productivity studies, large-scale predictive modeling, energy efficiency technologies, data management programs, diagnostic tools and market-wide availability.

The submission deadline is December 31. For information visit www.cbre.com/rgrc