ATLANTA-An overwhelming 79% of corporate real estateprofessionals consider sustainability an important issue today orbelieve it will be within the next one to two years, according toresearch unveiled during the CoreNet Global Summit here. Called"Sustainability Perceptions and Trends in the Real EstateIndustry," it was conducted by CoreNet Global and Jones LangLaSalle and based on a survey of 414 industry professionals atCoreNet Global Summits in London, Melbourne, Denver andSingapore.

While there are similarities among respondents' views worldwide,interest is highest in Europe where 90% of survey participantsthere consider sustainability important or very important. Energyutilization is the most important driver of interest, said BenBreslau, VP and director of occupier research at JLL. That isfollowed by a corporate responsibility to operate anenvironmentally friendly business. "The CEO focus and the employeefocus are moving up the ladder," he said, adding, "and higher inEurope than in the US."