Study: Going green pays off for building owners.  Nearly two-thirds (61%) of building owners that have invested in sustainable design strategies for their existing building stock said they received a positive ROI for going green, including higher lease and occupancy rates, according to a survey of 392 owners, investors, and managers by the Building Owners and Managers Association, U.S. Green Building Council, and Real Estate Media, publisher of GlobeSt.com and Real Estate Forum. Other key findings of "The 2007 Green Survey: Existing Buildings" include:

29% of respondents have seen higher lease rates in green buildings versus comparable buildings

21% said occupancy rates increased as a direct result of going green

64% have allocated funds to green initiatives

47% said their green investment will increase in 2008