As an industry so deeply integrated into people's day-to-day lives, those of us working in real estate have an opportunity to make a positive impact on the global climate.

It is important to consider everything from how we conduct our business to how we inform homeowners about making their properties more environmentally friendly. 

In business, we can all do more to counter climate change, simply by implementing some basic practices which many of us are doing at home already – things such as recycling, conserving energy and eliminating paper. 

At LeadingRE, we are moving towards digital document management for all purposes.

We have eliminated paper at our conferences in favour of apps, allowing members to navigate the events and timetables without relying on a lengthy printed agenda.

This reduction in paper extends to session materials which are all available electronically on the app.

We also have recycling initiatives in place and are focused on eliminating all single-use products in our corporate offices. 

Unessential travel is another easy way to cut carbon emissions.

One example is replacing in-person meetings with video conferencing – which we use to connect members across the globe.

A video call fosters a more profound connection than a standard phone call.

That said, we are in a business where face-to-face interaction is vital, and that will never change. 
 
When it comes to extending a ''green" mindset to our work with clients, we encourage our members to be aware of key environmental issues as they relate to housing, including any local requirements and restrictions.

They should understand which improvements can make a home more sustainable, while also enhancing the quality of the environment within the property and creating potential cost savings for things like heating and cooling. 

Providing a list of certified contractors who specialize in environmentally friendly home improvements can be an excellent resource for clients.

A savvy real estate professional should also understand the nuances of marketing a green home and how to maximize these features and benefits to attract eco-conscious buyers. 

When it comes to educating our members on the topic, we offer a course on the benefits of building and selling green properties in our online learning platform.

The goal is to help our sales associates understand what green building is – and isn't – so they can help clients make informed decisions.

Environmental topics will also be woven throughout sessions at our upcoming Annual Conference, which has a theme of "Wealth. Wisdom. Wellness."

We are especially excited to be hosting the conference in all-new meeting space at Wynn Las Vegas, which is powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and maintains the highest sustainable certification from the Green Building Initiative.

With the boom in Proptech, there are abundant technology solutions that help boost sustainability.

We work closely with DocuSign, for example, which replaces manual and paper processes with automated, digital technologies.

Their DocuSign for Forests initiative focuses not only on earth-friendly business practices but also in providing significant financial support to organizations doing critical work to preserve the world's forests.

I believe everyone from our industry and beyond should encourage greener building practices within their communities.

Energy efficiency, renewable energy, waste reduction measures, and sustainable building materials are excellent examples for reducing your carbon footprint, and limiting the impact on the surrounding natural environment is also critical.

This is a sponsored article.