Government's Sustainability Moment - CGI Initiative for Collaborative ...

iggest challenge is taking thosebuildings to a point where they aremore sustainable.” To do that, PBSis looking at daylighting ideas, andshading buildings with trees, vinesand other vegetation to cool themwith less air conditioning.Some of these “energy hogs”may prove un-greenable, he says,and in that case, GSA plans to getrid of them. The Obama administrationhas ordered a 28 percentacross-the-board reduction ingreenhouse gas emissions for thefederal government by 2020, whichmeans a significant reduction inenergy use. PBS has determinedthat 80 percent of its energy, emissionsand expenses come from 20percent of its buildings, so effortsto reduce energy and greenhousegas emissions will focus on them.Green Proving GroundOne of the best ways to use lessenergy is to have less real estateto heat, light, cool, and run. GSA isworking with the OMB and variousagencies to identify outmodedand unneeded buildings, officesthat can be consolidated, or landand buildings that are best soldor leased to private companies.The agency has projected that 5.5percent of its assets should soonbe sold.“You can’t reduce your carbonfootprint unless you reduce yourfootprint,” says Peck. So Peckstarted in his own office. When hewas shown to the Commissioner’soffice, a space larger than many2 http://www.sftool.orgone-bedroom apartments, he immediatelymoved in office mates.Why lease space for staff when hehad too much for himself? He nowshares the office with PBS DeputyCommissioner David Foley, AssociateCommissioner Desa Sealy,and Linda Osgood, Acting Chief ofStaff. “I hate to be alone in my office,“Peck laughs. “I like to talk.”The reality is that most peopledon’t use their offices all the time.“One of the dirty little secrets weall know is that if you look at thechair, it’s occupied 35-40 percentof the work week. The rest of thetime people are traveling, or onvacation, or sick, or gone to meetings.I’d say less than 30 percentof the time have all four peoplebeen in this office at once.”Within GSA, and workplaces ingeneral, technology coupled withthe need to reduce costs, is forcinga transition to mobile work environments.GSA headquarters,for example, once housed 2,000personnel. When the renovationis complete, flex-spaces, mobiletechnology, and telework willallow it to become a workspacefor 6,000. Internally, GSA’s goal isto have 60 percent of its staff teleworkat least two days per pay period.PBS is advising a variety offederal managers on how to usethese sustainable office practices.The agency has also createda Sustainable Facilities Tool, 2 designedto help building managersmake dozens of small choices thatwill help green their workspacesand save money.If Peck continues at his current“You can’t reduceyour carbonfootprint unlessyou reduceyour footprint.”—Robert Peck,Commissioner, GSA PBSpace, when his time at PBS is over,he will leave the nation with fewerfederal buildings, but better ones,greener ones, models for innovativeways real estate can contributeto a sustainable culture. “I’d liketo be remembered as a thoughtleader, and as an action leader,”he says. “The legacy I hope toleave is that of the green provingground.” One thing is certain, Peckwants to look back at the buildingshe leaves with a sense of pride andawe. As he has put it, “We’re goingback to building buildings worthyof the American people.”AMANDA SPAKE is a former staffwriter at U.S. News and WorldReport and the Washington PostMagazine. She lives at the ChesapeakeBay, in Churchton, Md.S P R I N G 2 0 11 | COLL ABOR ATIVEGOV.ORG/LE AD | Leadership 21