What Are the Benefits of Going Green?
It is estimated that buildings account for nearly one half of all greenhouse gas emissions, and over seventy five percent of all electricity produced by power plants. The construction industry can and should play a significant role in combating the symptoms related to climate change. In addition, sustainable design projects can create a market advantage for the design professional, as well as improve the productivity and livability of the occupant of buildings.
Economic Benefits
Design professionals have the responsibility of balancing a myriad of issues to best meet the needs of their clients. Understanding the economic benefits of sustainable design is an essential part of the design process. The following key points link to resources that can assist designers in considering the economic benefits of Going Green.
Do green buildings cost more?
Contrary to popular belief, green buildings may not always cost more and can provide economic benefits to individuals, businesses, and communities. The cost-benefit of building green has been documented in several important studies that can be found at
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/greenbuilding/CostBenefit.html
An excellent comprehensive report prepared in 2003 for the State of California entitled “The Cost and Financial Benefits of Green Building: A report to the Sustainability Task Force� can be found at www.ciwmb.ca.gov.
More recently, Davis Langdon, www.davislangdon.com/USA, published an update to a cost assessment report. This 2006 document – The Cost of Green Revisited – critically reviews dozens of green projects throughout the United States and concludes there is no difference in average costs for green buildings when compared to non green buildings.
Can recycling help reduce the actual construction cost of my project?
Architects have a significant role in encouraging the reduction of construction waste. Specifying products that minimize waste and choosing products with recycled content are good places to begin. Thinking about construction methods, product packaging and shipping, and the re-use of construction waste materials (especially for renovation projects) during the design process can result in significant savings by the Contractor, ultimately lowering the construction cost.
http://www.resourcesaver.org/file/toolmanager/O16F8895.pdf
Is deconstruction a viable alternative to demolition?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has estimated that US companies generate 136 million tons of building related construction and demolition waste per year. The Charlotte County, Florida Environmental Services office has developed an informative website that explains how the impact of building materials solid waste can be reduced in landfills.
http://www.deconstructioninstitute.com/index.php
Benefits To Building Owners And Occupants
Will a green building increase my client's property value?
As a superior product, a green building can yield increased value to the owner. In addition to the payback efficiency measures provide over time--a "green" designation can also increase a building's market value as assessed by appraisers and investors. In a 2006 survey, eighty-six percent of Americans said that in buying a home, they would choose one home over another based on its energy efficiency. www.energypulse.org
What kind of return can my client expect from the investment in green technologies?
Up-front investments in green designs and technology can yield financial paybacks over the life of the building in the form of lower utility bills and reduced operating and maintenance costs. A 2003 report, The Costs and Financial Benefits of Green Buildings, analyzed both first costs and 20 year operational costs and savings of 30 completed LEED projects. On average the additional first cost was 2%, or $3.00-$5.00/square foot. However, the total 20 year net present value of improvements attributed to energy, emissions, water, waste and commissioning is $11.98.
The ENERGY STAR program (administered through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency), provides a variety of resources and data to assist existing homeowners and new home buyers in understanding the increased value of energy efficient homes.
http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/downloads/consumer_brochure.pdf
Boost occupant productivity
Numerous studies show the productivity benefits of fresh air and natural light in buildings, and conversely, the negative impact of poor indoor environmental quality. The Heschong-Mahone Group found that the quality of light and air in a workspace can affect worker productivity by up to 20% either positively or negatively.
Environmental Benefits
Humans have a direct impact of their environment and, in turn, the environment has a direct impact on the human condition. Designers and builder shape and influence this inextricable relationship each time a project is designed and constructed.
How does energy consumption enter into the sustainable equation?
Buildings are major consumers of energy, which impacts not only fuel consumption, but also atmospheric pollution and global warming. Saving energy and using energy wisely is often thought of as one of the single major elements of exploring sustainable design. A good reference site in general on energy and buildings is the US Department of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Building Divisions Program - www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/.
Public Health Benefits
Humans spend upwards of ninety percent of their lives indoors – that's right – ninety percent. Indoor environmental quality plays a major role on occupant health, business productivity, learning, and an overall sense of well being.
Are there programs which certify interior environments?
There are several programs underway which are taking a careful look at indoor environmental quality. The Greenguard Environmental Institute is one organization which provides a general certification program, along with specific programs for building construction and children and schools. See www.greenguard.org.
Are their specific studies which show a correlation between performance issues, user productivity and sustainability? One business organization – the Heschong and Mahone Group (www.h-m-g.com) – has been investigating and researching interior environments and human factors, occupancy criteria, user productivity, etc. Much of their work has been supported by the California energy Commission (CEC) and Pacific Gas and Electric (PGE).
Social Benefits
Using a participatory design process can raise awareness of the depth and breadth of sustainability. Stakeholders often bring single interests to the table, but through collaboration, they leave with increased understanding of both their own issue as well as others'. Sustainable design has a social aspect that grows out of shared ideas, building strong ties to one's community and place.
Where can I find continuing education opportunities to increase my understanding of sustainable practices?
Being an informed leader means being committed to learning. Look for courses on green topics at local colleges and universities. Attend a trade show or conference, or subscribe to journals that are outside your comfortable expertise. The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, http://www.nesea.org/workshops and the University of Oregon's Sustainability Leadership Program, http://sustain.uoregon.edu are two examples of continuing education resources.
What is involved in creating a successful workshop on sustainability?
Careful organizing and planning is needed to make any workshop successful. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has developed a multi-media program that addresses both the interests of teachers and learners around the topic of sustainable development.
