Ms Mitchell is a highly regarded sustainability practitioner in Australia, with 14 years’ experience in the property and construction, waste, water and energy sectors.  She commenced her career in environmental management with Integral Energy and has since held senior management positions with Sydney Water, WSN Environmental Solutions and, most recently, Bovis Lend Lease where she was Head of Sustainability, Asia Pacific.

Jones Lang LaSalle Australian CEO, Christine Bartlett said Ms Mitchell would bring a wealth of knowledge about sustainability to the firm in Australia and throughout Asia Pacific.

“Our clients are increasingly concerned with reducing their carbon footprint and they turn to us for advice on how to minimise the environmental impact of their properties. Anita’s extensive experience in sustainability planning will enhance Jones Lang LaSalle’s continued dedication to delivering best practice sustainability services to our clients.

“Managing over 100 million sq ft of property in the Asia Pacific region on behalf of owners and occupiers puts Jones Lang LaSalle in a strong position to make a real impact in this area,” Ms Bartlett said.
 
“As Head of both ESS in Australasia and ESS Strategy in Asia Pacific, we know Anita will help shape our sustainability capabilities and credentials. She brings a wealth of knowledge about sustainability practices to the firm, which will be invaluable to our clients in Australia and throughout Asia Pacific,” said Albert Ovidi, Head of Property and Asset Management for Asia Pacific.

Jones Lang LaSalle’s Energy and Sustainability Services division has been formed globally to ensure that best practices are shared worldwide; that market relevant service delivery is consistent around the globe and that industry-leading research and innovative services continue to be developed. It brings together existing environmental capabilities in areas such as strategy development, sustainable building development and energy efficient building operations.

Head of Energy and Sustainability Services, Australasia, Anita Mitchell said, “Jones Lang LaSalle is in a position to access and implement the best sustainability practices from around the world, ensuring we are at the forefront of sustainability in the real estate services industry.

“At a time when there is a growing focus on the environment  and the need to ensure our impact is minimised, the real estate industry can play an important part in the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions.  I look forward to being part of the Jones Lang LaSalle sustainability team and mapping out pathways for the industry to limit its environmental footprint,” Ms Mitchell said.

Last year on a global scale, Jones Lang LaSalle helped companies save more than $38 million energy costs, reduce energy use by 210 million kilowatt-hours and avoid 133,000 metric tons of greenhouse gases.

In recent months, Jones Lang LaSalle has formalised its Sustainability Commitment, which includes a goal to have 500 sustainability accredited professionals by the end of 2009, including programs such as Green Globes and LEED in the U.S., LEED in India, BREEAM in the UK, ABGR and Green Star in Australia, and others. The firm has also formalised the industry’s first Sustainability University to train employees in sustainable standards and practices.

Jones Lang LaSalle recently acquired the environmental consulting firm, ECD Energy, best known as the developer of technology underlying environmental rating systems for buildings, including Green Globes and Go Green interactive software tools in the U.S. and Canada.  Last year, the firm acquired Upstream, the UK’s leading real estate sustainability services practice.