April 29, 2025 | BOMA International, Ella Krygiel
Climate week is an event that brings together policymakers and world-renowned experts to address the critical issues impacting our climate today. During the San Francisco Climate Week, the session Beyond the Buzzwords: Strengthening Real Estate’s Climate Narrative, hosted by Antenna Group, took place from April 19 to April 27. The panelists explored how real estate leaders can effectively refine their sustainability messaging amid growing ESG scrutiny. With panelists from diverse backgrounds in real estate development, design, architecture, infrastructure, investment, technology and certification, they discussed their insights. Read the Q&A below to learn how real estate leaders are broadening the sustainability narrative by aligning business goals with long-term value and future preparedness.
How can commercial real estate companies effectively communicate their climate initiatives to adapt to changing political landscapes?
Sibley Fleming, Editor in Chief, Urban Land: It depends on who you’re communicating with—if tenants, it’s about the latest amenities and, potentially, cost savings. If it’s with lenders and investors, the climate initiatives are about valuations, attracting tenants and achieving higher rents. If with insurers, the conversation is about resilience and risk mitigation. Words matter, especially in super-charged political environments. However, in real estate, whatever the adjectives are that describe an asset or a portfolio, the bottom line is what matters most. Politically, certain persons or groups may be against words like ESG and sustainability, but they will not be against lower-cost operations.
Anica Landreneau, Director of Sustainable Design at HOK: Focus on long-term asset value and risk management. There are many forms of risk assessment and risk mitigation when it comes to property development, ownership and management. Climate risk is just one of many factors.
Include in RFP language any emissions reduction, climate scenario or level of risk to take into consideration for the asset and to plan for — and rollup capital improvements or operational protocols at the portfolio level in annual report(s). Focus on the levers that can be pulled at property and portfolio scale, be flexible and stay true to commitments. The market has more confidence in organizations that demonstrate consistent commitments and messaging.
Jorge Mendez, Senior Vice President, Real Estate at Antenna Group: In today’s polarized climate, authenticity matters more than ever, and so does showing real, measurable impact. The truth is, climate change is already hitting commercial real estate hard. That’s why we encourage companies to frame their climate strategies not as political or social statements, but as sound, future-focused business decisions. The most effective messaging clearly connects sustainability efforts to risk mitigation, asset value protection, and operational resilience, especially in the face of regulatory shifts and climate volatility. Companies that back up their messaging with measurable progress, credible third-party data, and a clear link to enterprise-wide priorities will fare much better amidst today’s increased scrutiny.
Tim Smith, Real Estate Development Director at SKS Partners: In a shifting political landscape, commercial real estate companies need to be strategic and authentic in communicating their climate initiatives. The strongest messaging positions sustainability not as a trend or an external mandate, but as an integral part of business operations and a core value. It’s also important that we communicate the economic rationale behind these initiatives. Presenting these actions as investments rather than expenses can resonate across political divides, particularly when tied to broader themes like American innovation and global market leadership. When communicated thoughtfully, climate initiatives can transcend politics and become a unifying force for progress in the built environment.
Aaron Tartakovsky, Co-founder & CEO of Epic Cleantec: Focus on the economics of your climate initiatives. At their core, these efforts are about long-term value creation — boosting net operating income, reducing exposure to utility volatility, and enhancing asset durability. Framing sustainability as a smart investment, rather than a political stance, resonates universally with stakeholders. Technologies like water reuse and energy efficiency aren’t just good for the planet; they’re proven tools to lower operating costs, attract premium tenants, and safeguard properties against tightening regulations and resource constraints. These properties demonstrate that you can operate exceptional, high-performing properties while leading the way on climate initiatives.
Breana Wheeler, U.S. Director of Operations at BREEAM: To navigate shifting political dynamics, commercial real estate companies should consistently position climate initiatives through the lens of risk management and asset value preservation and enhancement. Framing these efforts as strategic, long-term business decisions — rather than ideological stances — grounds the conversation in financial and operational resilience. It’s equally important to focus communication on outcomes. Highlighting measurable results — be it increased tenant satisfaction, reduced operating costs through enhanced efficiency, or minimized exposure to regulatory risk — links climate action directly to tangible business results and ensures the message resonates across both political and economic contexts. Companies that focus on initiatives that are materially relevant to their operations are far better positioned to build trust and demonstrate leadership in a complex and evolving market.
What strategies have you seen work best for shifting public perception and narrative around climate action in the commercial real estate sector?
Sibley Fleming, Editor in Chief, Urban Land: Shifting public perception on social media and television is challenging due to the siloed nature of information and deeply held beliefs. The most effective strategy I’ve seen in shifting how the public views “climate action” in the commercial real estate sector is by way of engaging community groups through in-person meetings and building conversations around concepts like “economic sustainability” versus “global warming” or “net zero,” concepts that are difficult to quantify and can have negative connotations. The phrase economic sustainability encompasses resource efficiency, economic growth, and resilience, all of which contribute to a broader framework that promotes community well-being through a healthier environment and a more prosperous future.
Anica Landreneau, Director of Sustainable Design at HOK: Sometimes, I find climate action is easier to sell in terms of resilience than emissions reduction. An investment in resilience is an investment in the site and the asset, with payback often coming very quickly (the next major weather event!) and felt onsite. Investment in emissions reduction can feel esoteric, with the outcomes being spread out over long-term global emissions reduction, and the payback — except for energy cost savings — appearing indirect. It can be helpful to focus the discussion on the area of overlap between the two: load reduction, energy autonomy, water reclamation, durability, and regenerative solutions. This helps strike the right balance for many stakeholders.
Jorge Mendez, Senior Vice President, Real Estate at Antenna Group: Shifting perception starts with storytelling that’s tangible, local, and human; all while making a clear business case. The most effective narratives move beyond compliance checklists or carbon tallies to show how buildings can directly improve people’s lives, strengthen communities, and drive equitable economic growth. We’ve seen real momentum when companies shift from talking about goals to showing impact, whether it’s highlighting projects that put regenerative design into practice or that prove how decarbonization efforts are delivering both environmental and financial returns. Connecting performance metrics to outcomes that matter — like lower energy bills, higher tenant retention, or better insurance terms — helps ground climate action in real, bottom-line benefits. Ultimately, perception shifts when climate leadership is backed by action — bold, transparent, consistent action — and when that action is tied to measurable results and clear value creation.
Tim Smith, Real Estate Development Director at SKS Partners: Framing sustainability as part of a broader commitment to doing good business is a key strategy in shifting public perceptions and the narrative around climate action in commercial real estate. Rather than responses to external pressures or regulatory compliance, climate initiatives can be positioned as an opportunity for long-term value creation. Sustainable practices reduce resource consumption, lower operational costs, and improve building performance. When companies speak about creating safe, healthy work environments with clean air, natural light, and non-toxic materials, it reframes climate action as a human issue, not just an environmental one. Ultimately, when the built environment is thoughtfully designed to serve people, place, and planet, climate action is community investment.
Aaron Tartakovsky, Co-founder & CEO of Epic Cleantec: Meet people where they are, and make climate action fun and engaging. At Epic Cleantec, we’ve learned that changing perceptions starts with changing the experience. That’s why we created our OneWater Brew, an award-winning craft beer made with shower water recycled from a San Francisco high-rise. When you turn climate tech into a conversation starter, rather than a lecture, you unlock enthusiasm, imagination, and real momentum.
Breana Wheeler, U.S. Director of Operations at BREEAM: One of the most effective strategies has been to reframe climate action as a lever for long-term value creation. Whether through increased market competitiveness, improved net operating income through energy gains, or greater resilience to physical and transitional climate risks, the ability to demonstrate financial upside transforms the narrative to spotlight climate action as a business opportunity. Anchoring the conversation in fiduciary duty has also proven powerful. Lastly, how companies report progress matters. Clear, credible, and transparent communication — rooted in recognized frameworks and focused on material performance indicators — carries more weight than exhaustive lists of random metrics.
The BOMA International Annual Conference speakers will discuss these topics and more in sessions like “Sustainability Isn’t a Dirty Word: Practical Approaches That Impact the Bottom Line.” Click here to learn more and register. Interested in more content like this? Read our recent articles, Embracing AI in CRE or Spring Housing Market: What to Expect. You can view all this content and more when you click here to sign up for our General newsletter!