Global real estate services firm CBRE has entered into a strategic partnership with Ecolab, a company specializing in water and hygiene solutions. The collaboration aims to significantly improve water efficiency and quality across the vast portfolio of commercial properties managed by CBRE, which currently consumes over 100 billion gallons of water each year.
This initiative will leverage Ecolab's advanced technologies to provide scalable water management solutions for CBRE's clients. The partnership focuses on reducing operational costs, enhancing sustainability, and addressing the growing importance of water stewardship in the commercial real estate sector.
Key Takeaways
- CBRE and Ecolab have launched a partnership to improve water management in commercial buildings.
- The initiative targets the more than 100 billion gallons of water used annually across CBRE's managed properties.
- Key industries to benefit include data centers, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing.
- The collaboration aims to reduce costs, improve operational efficiency, and advance corporate sustainability goals.
A Strategic Response to a Critical Resource Challenge
The new alliance between CBRE and Ecolab addresses a critical, yet often overlooked, aspect of environmental performance in commercial properties: water consumption. CBRE manages a global portfolio of nearly 8 billion square feet, providing a unique opportunity to implement water-saving measures on an industrial scale.
By integrating Ecolab's expertise, CBRE intends to offer comprehensive water management programs. These programs are designed to help property owners and tenants not only reduce their environmental footprint but also achieve significant cost savings and operational improvements.
"We are focused on creating value for our clients by solving their biggest sustainability challenges, and water is increasingly important—especially in sectors like data centers, life sciences and advanced manufacturing," said Rob Bernard, Chief Sustainability Officer at CBRE.
Bernard emphasized that the combined resources of the two companies create a distinct advantage for businesses looking to manage their water needs from end to end. He suggested the partnership has the potential to transform water use across the industry.
Expanding Sustainability Efforts
This partnership is the latest in a series of strategic moves by CBRE to bolster its sustainability services. The company has recently announced collaborations with climate risk analytics firm Climate X and ESG data intelligence company Deepki. It also acquired the renewable energy advisory group from NRG, signaling a broad commitment to integrated resource management.
The Impact of Water on Business Operations
Water is a fundamental component of many commercial and industrial processes. Inefficient water management can lead to higher utility bills, increased energy consumption, and greater operational risks, particularly in regions facing water scarcity.
Emilio Tenuta, Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer at Ecolab, highlighted the connection between water, energy, and business performance. He noted that water efficiency is a powerful tool for building both climate resilience and a stronger bottom line.
"Water is central to operational impact and profitable growth for many businesses," Tenuta stated. "In manufacturing, up to 75% of energy flows through water systems—making water efficiency a powerful lever for climate resilience and business performance."
Ecolab's systems are currently used in millions of customer locations across more than 170 countries, helping businesses optimize their resource consumption.
Ecolab's 2024 Sustainability Impact
According to the company, in 2024 alone, its solutions helped clients achieve the following:
- Save 226 billion gallons of water.
- Conserve 65 trillion BTUs of energy.
- Avoid 4.6 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
This reduction in emissions is equivalent to removing approximately one million passenger vehicles from the road for an entire year.
Targeting Water-Intensive Industries
The partnership is expected to deliver significant benefits to clients in sectors that rely heavily on water. These industries often require sophisticated water systems to maintain operations and meet stringent regulatory and efficiency targets.
Key Sectors for Collaboration
Several industries stand to gain the most from this new initiative:
- Data Centers: These facilities use vast amounts of water for cooling systems to prevent servers from overheating. Efficient water use is critical for operational continuity and managing high energy costs.
- Life Sciences and Pharmaceuticals: Manufacturing processes in these fields often require large volumes of purified water, making conservation and quality control essential.
- Semiconductor Manufacturing: The production of microchips is an extremely water-intensive process. Smart water management can help reduce costs and mitigate risks associated with water availability.
By providing specialized solutions for these sectors, CBRE and Ecolab aim to help companies maintain a competitive edge while advancing their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives.
A Broader Industry Shift Toward Resource Management
The collaboration between CBRE and Ecolab reflects a growing trend in the commercial real estate industry. As businesses face increasing pressure from investors, regulators, and customers to improve their environmental performance, sustainability is transitioning from a compliance issue to a core driver of business value.
Integrated resource management, which considers the interconnectedness of water, energy, and waste, is becoming standard practice. By focusing on water, a resource critical to both climate resilience and daily operations, this partnership signals a proactive approach to managing the risks and opportunities associated with global climate change and resource scarcity.
The scale of CBRE's global portfolio combined with Ecolab's technological expertise creates a powerful platform for driving meaningful reductions in water consumption across the built environment worldwide.
