Sustainability means different things to different people. Some think about just utility usage. Others immediately think carbon footprint. And still others focus on reducing waste in their actions.
The most important part is having a plan. Because it doesn’t always mean LEED buildings and carbon offsets (in fact, true sustainability rarely means either of those items). As is said, you can’t fix what you don’t measure. Create metrics that tell you how you’re doing.
This could include even traditional real estate metrics such as Square Feet per person. The lower that number, the better your energy consumption per person should be (all else being equal). It’s a matter of goals and perspective. Define metrics that you can work toward improving and controlling and you are most of the way toward a sustainability program.
Once you’ve started you can then try to push the boundaries by contemplating equipment replacements, lighting programs, renewable energy credits and certifications such as LEED. But these should be components of a sustainability programs – not the centerpieces.