By SkySite Property staff

Springbrook Prairie Pavilion in suburban Chicago’s Naperville is the first development in DuPage County to pursue Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification. The 270,000 square foot retail center began construction in June 2007.

The center’s first occupant, Road Runner Sports, opened its first Illinois store Friday. The sports store offers shoes, apparel and gear for every level of runner.

By SkySite Property staff

The retail industry may find some unique ways to reduce its carbon footprint by looking at how one of its vendors has implemented green strategies.

Electronics maker Panasonic named its Kusatsu, Japan, location the “Eco Ideas Factory,” as part of its effort to reduce 29,000 tons of dioxide emissions by 2010. The factory will be the focus of the company’s three environmental concepts: eco ideas for manufacturing, eco ideas for products, and eco ideas for everybody, everywhere.

By SkySite Property staff

ExxonMobil , world’s largest independent oil company, has been working toward environmentally-friendly goals, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, preventing spills and protecting biodiversity. The oil giant has spent more than $2 billion in the past five years on initiatives to reduce emissions and improve efficiency—and it plans to spend another $1 billion by 2010. Through actions taken in 2006-07, the company reduced emissions by 5 metric tons last year.

By SkySite Property staff

A proposed U.S. Senate bill that would regulate greenhouse gases was blocked after it failed to receive enough votes. The bill, sponsored by Sens. Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.) and John Warner (R-Va.), sought to cut carbon emissions by 70 percent by 2050.

Though the bill would have generated $150 billion in its first year through the issuance of permits, opponents argued it would have a harmful effect on the economy.

By SkySite Property staff

Bayer’s jumping on the green bus with its new climate program—joining other retailers, manufacturers and businesses committed to making an effort to minimize their impact on the environment.

The pharmaceuticals company, known for its brand-name aspirin, vows to keep carbon dioxide emissions at present or lower levels, despite an increase in production. The company reduced its emissions by 37 percent from 1990 to 2007.

By SkySite Property staff

In an effort to divert deconstruction materials from landfills, the Environmental Protection Agency awarded nonprofit group The Reuse People of America a $50,000 grant. The group used that money to open a building materials retail warehouse in Los Angeles.

By SkySite Property staff 

Best Buy is testing electronics recycling in 117 stores in Baltimore, San Francisco and Minnesota as part of a program that could be introduced nationally. The program accepts televisions and monitors up to 32 inches, computers, phones, cameras and other electronics devices and peripherals.

By SkySite Property staff

After the recent blockage of a global warming bill in the U.S. Senate, environmental lobbyists are refocusing their efforts on the House of Representatives.

By SkySite Property staff 

Institutional investors worldwide are being urged to consider United Nation-backed Principles for Responsible Investing in their decision-making process.

The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), a global partnership between the UNEP and the financial services sector, is concerned that the property industry is taking too long to address its environmental footprint.

By SkySite Property staff 

Design firm Callison is developing two groundbreaking sustainable models designed for retailers—Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Retail and LEED Portfolio, also referred to as LEED Volume—with the U.S. Green Building Council.

Callison developed a prototype for Wachovia’s regional financial centers, establishing the tools and guidelines for the LEED for Retail rating system. The Wachovia prototype received the first LEED Silver Commercial Interiors and Portfolio certification under the new system.