Dec 7 2012
In keeping with its commitment to effective energy management, sustainability and efforts to reduce its environmental footprint, MetLife, Inc. announced that is headquarters in Istanbul, Turkey, MetLife Emeklilik ve Hayat A.ª., has received the United States Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program (LEED) Gold Certification.
MetLife’s office renovation project is the first LEED certification the company has received in the region, and the first LEED Gold Commercial Interior certificate for an office facility in Turkey. In addition to the Istanbul facility, MetLife has eight additional facilities that have received LEED certification, including one office in India and seven in the United States.
The 24,540 square foot (2,280 square meter) Istanbul office facility employs more than 180 people serving 1.3 million customers throughout Turkey. As part of its LEED Commercial Interior certification, MetLife performed several upgrades to effectively address environmental sustainability. Among the efforts were: providing alternative transportation programs for employees; reducing water usage; installing energy efficient lighting, including occupancy sensors; purchasing green certified products and locally sourced materials; and purchasing electricity from renewable energy sources.
“Acquiring LEED Gold Certification for the Istanbul, Turkey office is a wonderful accomplishment,” said Marty Lippert, executive vice president of global technology and operations at MetLife. “MetLife is committed to preserving the environment and providing a healthy workplace for our employees. We have and will continue to integrate sustainability best practices throughout our corporate real estate portfolio and promote environmental stewardship in all the regions where we operate.”
Through its environmental initiatives, MetLife estimates a 58% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions through its alternative transportation program, a 40% reduction in energy costs and water usage, and 100% reliance on green power throughout the facility.
“Being recognized as one of the first offices in the region to receive LEED Gold Certification is a great honor for MetLife globally and locally, and a testament to our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint,” said Deniz Yurtseven, general manager, MetLife Emeklilik ve Hayat A.ª. “This is also a wonderful way to include our employees in sustainability initiatives that benefit our community.”
MetLife is making a positive impact on the environment through effective energy management policies, investments in renewable energy ventures and integrating energy efficient practices into its operations, including purchasing environmentally preferred products and energy-efficient technology equipment. In addition to its nine LEED certifications, to date, MetLife has reduced its carbon emissions by more than 90 percent since 2005; invested more than $2.5 billion in renewable energy projects and has purchased more than 53 percent of its overall electricity through the use of renewable energy.