CMAdvisor - January/February 2010 - 6

AS SUSTAINABILITY BECOMES MAINSTREAM, By John J. McKeon Sustainability “is on its way to becoming the mainstream approach to the design and construction of our built environment,” in the view of Heery President Bill Heitz, AIA, CCM, LEED® AP. Yet a large number of CMs, both individuals and firms, continue to lag in embracing sustainability and are missing a major opportunity as a result. “Some CMs are right on target or even ahead of the curve regarding sustainable design and construction issues and opportunities,” says Judith Kunoff, AIA, CCM, chief architect at MTA-New York City Transit. “Others need to get with the program. CMs need to take a genuine interest and own the green goals. More typically these days the CM sees these issues as issues of designers and constructors, not theirs. This is just not true. CMs need to take the lead.” Mark Wilhelm of Green Ideas Environmental Building Consultants, who presented a well-received workshop on sustainability prior to CMAA’s National Conference in Florida, agrees that “some CMs have embraced knowledge of sustainability issues, but not that many as yet.” Wilhelm points out that the demand for sustainability expertise is only going to increase. “There are at least 202 municipalities, 34 U.S. states, and 14 federal agencies that have committed to build to LEED standards,” he says. Moreover, both AIA and the National Governors Association have called for buildings to be carbon neutral by 2030. Both the House and Senate have energy bills pending that call for substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and require increased reliance on renewable energy. “It’s clear that sustainability is not a passing fad,” says Heitz. So, what do CMs need to be, and how can they equip themselves for their new role? CMs Can Become Indispensable FIRST, SUPPORT THE OWNER CMs need to recognize that owner interests and needs are driving the move to sustainability. “The CM has the tools to manage a project from concept to completion and it is critical that sustainability start in the beginning stage,” CMAdvisor

CMAdvisor - January/February 2010

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