Four MetLife offices, including three in New York and New Jersey, were awarded Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design for Existing Buildings (LEED EB) certifications from the United States Green Building Council.
The insurer’s offices in Bridgewater and Somerset, N.J., and in Oriskany, N.Y., earned Gold certifications, while its Aurora, Ill., office earned a Silver certification through the USGBC. Its LEED EB program aims to encourage the implementation of sustainable practices in commercial buildings, creating healthier and more productive workspaces.
John Vazquez
Its Portfolio Program, which distributes certifications, is a pilot, enabling the integration of such standards and operations into several buildings within a company’s portfolio simultaneously, using a cost effective and streamlined process called volume certification.
John Vazquez, vice president for vendor sourcing and corporate services and chief procurement officer for MetLife, said the company “is committed to supporting a sustainable tomorrow and reducing its energy dependence.
“Over the past four years, we have reduced our energy consumption by more than 15%,” he said in a statement. “This latest recognition by the USGBC validates the extensive work we’ve done to help create an energy efficient and socially responsible organization.”
To earn the certifications, the offices’ operations, maintenance practices and procedures were reviewed to ensure energy efficiency and sustainability based on the USGBC’s high performance green building standards. Each location’s water efficiency, indoor air quality, lighting, material use and site management were all taken into consideration when pursuing the certification.
MetLife said it worked closely with property manager Cushman & Wakefield to achieve the certifications. These recent recognitions bring the total of MetLife owned and/or operated LEED certified properties to six, in addition to the company’s 11 ENERGY STAR-rated facilities.
MetLife offices in New York, New Jersey get environmental honor via IFAwebnews .
