CHICAGO-The Institute of Real Estate Management, based here, hassigned a pact with the US Green Building Council, based inWashington, DC to cooperate on the promotion and education ofsustainable development. The two non-profit organizations joined ina non-binding memorandum of intent, and will find ways of jointlypushing green practices, such as a shared publication, lobbying andclasses.

Reggie Mullins, president of IREM, says there's many things thetwo groups can do to help convince developers and owners to gogreen. The USGBC is composed of about 15,000 members, and IREM hasmore than 18,000 members and 500 corporate members. Suggestedcollaborations include a joint newsletter or magazine,cross-advertising and lobbying efforts and joint educationalcontent production. There are some limitations: USGBC will continueto solely maintain and implement LEED-focused initiatives andstandards, for example.