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Washington, D.C., May 5, 2010
—IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is proud to announce that its headquarters building in Washington, D.C., has been awarded the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum Certification for Existing Buildings by the U.S. Green Building Council.
The LEED® Platinum Certification for Existing Buildings, known as LEED-EB v3, is the most prestigious rating given to existing buildings for maximizing operational efficiency and minimizing environmental impacts. According to USGBC, the IFC building is the first to receive the platinum rating in Washington, D.C., and the second nationwide since the council launched LEED-EB v3 in 2009. IFC’s headquarters, built in 1997, covers a total built area of 1,138,000 gross square feet and is home to over 2,600 employees.
“This achievement reflects IFC’s commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its day-to-day operations,” said Lars Thunell, IFC Executive Vice President and CEO. “Just as we work with clients to realize the benefits of sustainability, IFC invests in sustainability to strengthen its own brand and efficiency.”
Commercial buildings account for almost 17 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Only 488 buildings nationwide, and nine in Washington, D.C., have achieved LEED-EB certification.
To achieve the platinum rating, IFC and its property manager, Brandywine Realty Trust, took a number of actions:
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Implemented a water efficiency program, including plumbing fixture retrofits and process water control upgrades that reduced water consumption by over 1,106,750 gallons annually. The improvements had a simple payback of three months.
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Introduced select energy conservation measures, such as adjusting thermostat set points and interior lighting, to reduce annual building energy consumption by 759,575 kilowatt hours.
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Diverted approximately 300 tons of furniture and electronic equipment solid waste from the landfill as part of a comprehensive recycle program.
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Since December 2004, purchased renewable energy certificates to cover 100 percent of the electricity use.
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Received the Energy Star Label for 1999 and 2001, and for every year since 2004.
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Installed native and adaptive plant species onsite that will reduce irrigation water consumption by 65 percent, minimize the use of pesticides and fertilizers, and require less maintenance.
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Implemented a Green Cleaning Policy mandating the use of 100 percent green cleaning products in the building and on the grounds.
USGBC credited IFC and Brandywine Realty Trust for exemplary innovations in the areas of lighting, green cleaning, sustainable roofing, and staff education.
IFC has made a public footprint commitment to continually improve the environmental and social performance of its internal operations in all IFC offices. IFC strives to demonstrate environmental stewardship and develop best practices in reducing pollution and conserving natural resources.
“Making our buildings more energy efficient is clearly positive for climate change,” said Nina Shapiro, Vice President of Finance and Treasurer, and Chair of IFC’s Footprint Program Advisory Committee. “And, importantly, it is also consistent with IFC’s key corporate strategy to be proactive with our climate investment agenda.”
About IFC
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, creates opportunity for people to escape poverty and improve their lives. We foster sustainable economic growth in developing countries by supporting private sector development, mobilizing capital for private enterprise, and providing advisory and risk mitigation services to businesses and governments. IFC’s new investments totaled $14.5 billion in fiscal 2009, helping channel capital into developing countries during the financial crisis. For more information, visit
www.ifc.org.
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