If you haven’t prioritized the energy efficiency of your commercial properties, you’ve already fallen behind the curve. Corporate mandates requiring the lease of green buildings have nearly tripled. Prospects are willing—and now able—to pay a premium for energy efficient spaces. The Institute of Building Efficiency issued a survey to 687 VPs, facilities managers, owners and C-level personnel across the nation. Their buildings range from under 50,000 square feet to beyond 500,000 square feet. The results of the report revealed that energy efficiency has become a top priority and growing investment for building owners. When asked about their views on energy efficiency, 46 percent of survey respondents said they paid “a lot more” attention to energy efficiency in the previous 12 months than they had in prior years. Of the executives surveyed, 68 percent plan on increasing their investments in efficiency and renewables. In the past, third-party rebates and incentives furnished the bulk of financing for commercial efficiency upgrades. Yet with such resources dwindling, owners are earmarking monies within their own budgets. Financing called “energy- or climate-specific set-asides within the capital budget” nearly doubled last year to 30 percent from 17 percent in 2012. Meanwhile, energy service agreements increased to 32 percent from 21 percent in 2012/2013. The benefits of energy efficiency have proven their worth. Executives, managers, and tenants choose energy efficient buildings over conventional buildings. This year, 36 percent of respondents expressed that they would be willing to pay top dollar for an efficient space. This is more than double the 15 percent of participants who reported that they would pay a premium in 2013. Many are willing to pay the premium because efficient spaces are a mounting requirement by leadership. 10 percent of respondents reported that corporate policy mandates the lease of...