“Sustainability is key to the long-term health of our economy, our nation’s security, and our planet. It’s been estimated that that 80 percent of the structures that stand today will still be part of our landscape in 2050. Enhancing the sustainability of our built environment obviously leverages incalculable energy and environmental benefits. But it will also reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil, save businesses billions of dollars on utility costs, and allow America to retain its competitive edge in the international marketplace in constructing, retrofitting, and operating high-performing buildings. The proverbial triple bottom line of ‘people, profits and planet’ can be amply achieved through responsible management of, and investment in, sustainable buildings.”—Duane Desiderio
Full Biography:
Duane J. Desiderio has advocated on behalf of the real estate community for nearly 20 years, seeking policy solutions that balance responsible economic development while conserving energy and environmental resources. He is currently vice president and counsel with The Real Estate Roundtable (RER), which represents the executive leadership of the nation’s top privately-owned and publicly-held real estate ownership, development, lending and management firms.
Desiderio manages RER’s federal policy on energy and sustainability issues as they affect the built environment, including retrofit finance, climate, building codes, water resources, land use, eminent domain, infrastructure, transportation and immigration matters. His advocacy involves outreach to Congress, government relations with the White House and Executive Branch and coalition-building with trade associations and stakeholder groups. He also staffs RER’s sustainability policy advisory committee, which convenes real estate’s thought leaders on corporate sustainability and responsible investment and development.
Previously, Desiderio served as the chief litigator at the National Association of Home Builders, where he managed the association’s nationwide judicial advocacy program. His portfolio resulted in over 50 reported opinions in federal and state courts, including a winning decision in NAHB v. Defenders of Wildlife, 127 S.Ct. 2518 (1997). He is admitted to practice before numerous federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, and is a member of the bars of New York and the District of Columbia.