Boston Medical, Boston Properties to Reduce Greenhouse Gases

BOSTON—Two major property owners have made commitments to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions at their office and medical properties totaling 4.3 million square feet in the city.

Boston Medical Center and Boston Properties have joined Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh's “Greenovate Boston Mayor's Carbon Cup” initiative. The recognition of the two major property owners' plans took place at the city's Green Ribbon Commission meeting on Monday morning. Boston Properties and Boston Medical Center have joined other major businesses in the city in vowing to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2020. The mayor's Carbon Cup, launched in April 2014, now has a total of six participants that have collectively committed approximately 19.2 million square feet to the greenhouse emissions reduction goal. The Carbon Cup is part of the city's goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions citywide by 25% by 2020.

“I thank Boston Properties and Boston Medical Center for joining the variety of organizations helping our city reach its climate goals,” says Mayor Walsh. “Carbon Cup participants and winners are setting exemplary efforts to demonstrate that achieving a vibrant and sustainable Boston is attainable.”

In a statement, Boston Medical Center notes that it hopes to achieve its carbon emissions target in the next five years through various efforts, including its ongoing Campus Consolidation project and a Co2 reduction effort related to its combined heat and power plant. “Our energy conservation measures reduced our annual electrical consumption by 8% from 2011 to 2013, and we expect an additional $2.2 million in annual energy savings from our clinical campus redesign,” a hospital spokesperson states.

Work began last year on the Boston Medical Center's campus redesign project. The multi-year redesign, which is now estimated to cost approximately $300 million to complete, will consolidate inpatient operations to the Menino side of the campus and transitions services out of the Newton Pavilion in 2018.

The focal point of Boston Properties' greenhouse gas reduction emissions reduction efforts will focus on its 100 Federal St. 37-story office tower located in Boston's Financial District, according to a company spokesperson.

Bryan Koop, senior vice president and Regional Manager for Boston Properties, states, "Boston Properties is proud to be participating in the Mayor's Carbon Cup at 100 Federal Street. Our sustainability strategy has been focused on the development and efficient operation of our buildings in an environmentally responsible manner. We pledge to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions 35% by 2020 in 1.5 million square feet through more efficient operations at the building, including common area lighting improvements, controls upgrades, and modifications to the central chiller plant"

He adds, "We've seen the benefits of a strong focus on sustainability at Atlantic Wharf, Boston's first green skyscraper, and throughout our portfolio, and are excited to make this commitment at 100 Federal Street."

“Boston is home to thousands of large buildings and institutions, and they present a great opportunity for a significant emissions reduction,” says Austin Blackmon, chief of the city's environment, energy and open space cabinet. “The Carbon Cup program strengthens the idea that, collectively, we can reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and achieve our targets.”

Other Carbon Cup participants include: Partners HealthCare-Massachusetts General Hospital (achieved 35% greenhouse gas reduction goal on 5.6 million square feet in 2014); Partners HealthCare-Brigham and Women's Hospital (3.1-million-square-foot goal by 2020); Boston University (achieved goal of 35% reduction in 2014 on 1.1 million square feet, 5.2 million-square-foot goal by 2020); Harvard University—within Boston city limits— (goal of 35% reduction reached in 2014 on 1.1 million square feet, 30% absolute reduction across North American campus by 2016).