A preeminent study on green buildings indicates that the international market for green construction has grown significantly in the last 10 years. The demand for green building will continue to grow and even double in some regions. The results show there will be a 20 percent increase in green building in the future, from those who currently report a majority of green projects. The new industry report was published recently in Dodge Data & Analytics and shows that 2,000 building professionals participated from 86 countries.
“As the world’s largest provider of building technologies, we’ve seen the shift toward more efficient, sustainable buildings,” said Chris Nelson, President Commercial HVAC for Carrier, a sponsor of the report. “The fact is, green buildings provide a triple win—delivering measurable benefits for building owners, occupants and the public from reduced operating costs, improved indoor air quality and reduced energy consumption. The trends uncovered in this report reflect what we’re seeing in our business—building green is good for the public health, the environment, and the bottom line.”
Green Building Shows Cost Savings and Increase in Building Asset Value
Nineteen countries were profiled in the report from six continents, and were primarily responsible for the substantial growth in green building. “Enthusiasm for green building is clear in all major markets measured, and that is driven by the business benefits they receive, which have stayed consistent since 2012,” said Donna Laquidara-Carr, Ph.D., LEED AP Industry Insights Research Director with Dodge Data & Analytics. “These benefits include eight percent operating cost savings in the first year and increased building asset values of seven percent for new green buildings, which are clearly influencing all those who do green building to deepen their engagement with green.”
The report found the misperception that green building is more costly than traditional construction has largely been dispelled among survey participants from over three- quarters in 2012 to under half today. Many respondents intend to build green in the next three years without seeking certification. Those participants who do have certification said that having it allows them to create better performing buildings.
Green Construction Produces Healthier Buildings
Healthier buildings emerged as a top incentive to go green which resulted in benefits such as improved occupational health and well-being, increased productivity among workers, and creating a sense of community. “The study, supported by our Green Building Councils in five regions, demonstrates that green building is seen by the industry as a key business benefit. Additionally, around the world, green building is considered to have an impact beyond significant environmental benefits, such as increased employee productivity and satisfaction,” said Terri Wills, CEO of the World Green Building Council.
K-Con Inc. is a full-service design-build general contractor specializing in commercial, light-industrial and government construction. K-Con Inc. serves commercial and government entities in Charleston and across the United States. Please contact us today to see how we can best serve your construction needs.