Benchmarking data helps a city document the effectiveness of its policy implementation and impact. It provides summary information about public and private buildings, documenting trends in energy and water performance, and is the foundation for information to share with stakeholders.

Why should businesses care about energy efficiency in buildings? Why should companies put their staff effort and limited budget resources into documenting, analyzing, and reducing their energy use? This report provides a multidimensional, in-depth look at the business case for energy efficiency in buildings. Its core is the firsthand commentary of executives at three real estate companies, each at the leading edge of efficiency and sustainability in its respective sector (high-profile commercial adaptive reuse, medical buildings, and multifamily residential). 

For utilities and program implementers, the Putting Data to Work Toolkit bring to light ways in which publicly available policy data can assist in better customer targeting, ideally leading to higher participation rates at lower customer acquisition costs.