NAR Highlights Commercial Sustainability Issues

Sustainability issues facing the commercial real estate industry, based on survey results from commercial-focused members, are highlighted in the National Association of Realtors®’ 2025 Realtors® Commercial Sustainability Report. 

The report notes that the prevalence of green data fields remained low last year, as only 13% of respondents reported that their Commercial Information Exchange had green data fields to promote sustainable property features. However, the majority who responded that they did have CIE green data fields reported utilizing them (54%). In the Northeast, 21% said their CIE had green data fields.  

Additionally, the report found that as of August 2025, 37% had completed some form of training on commercial property sustainable elements, like energy-efficient appliances, renewable energy systems and eco-friendly building materials.  

More and more agents and brokers were seeing the value in promoting energy efficiency – 55% of commercial-focused members reported that energy efficiency promotion in listings is very or somewhat valuable.  

However, although green building certificates can increase property values, the report found that they have little impact on time on market. NAR notes that 30% of Realtors® reported increased property values from these certifications (26% in the Northeast), but only 9% said they shortened the time spent on the market (3% in the Northeast).  

Still, Realtors® most cited improving energy efficiency of existing buildings as the top sustainability market issue (38%), and building tenants most often ask about whether a building has energy efficiency features (58%) or a vehicle charging station (52%).  

Notably, in the Northeast, 31% of Realtors® said they had experience with commercial building repurposing – compared to 40% in the Midwest, 30% in the South and 27% in the West.  

Read more of the 2025 Realtors® Commercial Sustainability Report.