Edens Cuts Energy Use

For Edens, Step 1 in Carbon Neutrality Was Common Areas 

Edens has cut energy use by 30% since 2015. How? Considering a landlord works with numerous tenants, Edens realized the best way to begin a carbon-neutrality journey was to focus on the common areas where the landlord itself has control. 

It has installed smart energy controls and fixtures that adjust energy use based on the natural light’s transition throughout the day and can be adjusted remotely. And Edens has reduced its carbon footprint further by buying 186,500 Renewable Energy Credits since 2015, signifying that zero-emissions renewable energy sources like solar, hydropower and wind generate the firm’s common area electricity. 

A REC represents one megawatt-hour of renewable energy generated and delivered to the power grid. Edens’ purchases have offset 147,500 tons of carbon dioxide from conventional electricity generation, the equivalent of carbon dioxide emissions from 14.8 million gallons of gasoline or the greenhouse gases from more than 28,500 passenger vehicles. 

The common areas at the company’s more than 110 retail properties now are 100% carbon neutral. Since 2008, it has reduced its common area energy consumption by 6,700 megawatt-hours, saving $1 million in operating expenses. The company said its balance of reducing and offsetting allowed the common area carbon neutrality initiative to be economically sound. 

Edens is now working with tenants to achieve carbon neutrality in collective spaces. 

About Edens: Edens is a retail real estate owner, operator and developer of a nationally leading portfolio of 110 retail properties. Our purpose is to enrich community through human engagement. We know that when people come together, they feel a part of something bigger than themselves and prosperity follows—economically, socially, culturally and soulfully. The company has offices in key markets including Washington, D.C., Boston, Dallas, Columbia, Atlanta, Miami, Charlotte, Houston, Denver and San Francisco.