Green building focuses on reducing waste production and energy consumption, both of which can have a huge impact on the economy. It also encourages the use of local materials and products, which boost the local economy and reduce transportation costs.
Green buildings have also been shown to have lower operating costs, higher vacancy rates, and better total returns on investment than conventional structures. There are several reasons for this, including the fact that green building practices significantly minimize greenhouse gas emissions.
1. Environmental Benefits
Green building reduces the negative impacts of buildings on the environment. It minimizes waste production, energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. These savings are estimated to be as much as 84 gigatons of CO2 by 2050 (UNEP, 2016).
In the United States, LEED certification requires that buildings meet strict guidelines for construction, design and operations. Among them are the use of sustainable materials, renewable energy sources and water efficiency.
Environmentally friendly buildings are more efficient and cost-effective to operate than conventional buildings. This is because they save money on energy bills, which can be applied to other costs such as maintenance and repairs.
Green buildings also improve the indoor air quality in offices, which reduces sick building syndrome symptoms and other health issues. In addition, green buildings are made of non-toxic materials that do not release toxic chemicals into the air.
2. Economic Benefits
Green buildings are also known to offer a number of economic benefits, including energy efficiency, reduced waste disposal and water consumption, improved employee productivity and reductions in maintenance and operations costs. These benefits help the building owner save money over the long term and boost the value of the property, making it more profitable to own.
In terms of market incentives, green building certification schemes can help distinguish high-quality buildings from low-quality ones by indicating that they have been built with specific technologies and use renewable fuels. However, if the cost of achieving the higher certification tier is too much for less able or less committed owners, then it will be difficult to induce the market equilibrium that confers premiums only on certifiable green buildings (Mason 2012).
As well as economic incentives, there are also social benefits associated with green building. These include a sense of community, reduced stress and improved health. In fact, studies have shown that contact with nature and sunlight can improve employees’ productivity.
3. Social Benefits
Green buildings are a growing movement in the construction industry that reduces the environmental impact of building projects. They minimize waste, conserve resources, and protect our air supply through energy efficiency and other sustainable measures.
The United Nations Environment Programme estimates that the building sector has a potentially large emissions savings potential of 84 gigatons of carbon dioxide by 2050. This is due to a wide range of factors, such as energy efficiency, fuel switching, and the use of renewable energy sources.
Aside from the environmental benefits of green building, it also has a positive effect on the economy. Research suggests that it can help companies retain employees by lowering their energy costs and improving their corporate image.
However, evaluating the social benefits of green building is complex because many aspects of how people relate to their buildings are uncertain and not easily measured. These impacts include social interactions between employees, residents, and the community.
4. Human Health Benefits
Green building is a growing trend, as architects and builders become more aware of the benefits that come with being environmentally sustainable. Although many people recognize the benefits of reduced energy consumption and increased biodiversity, they may not be aware that there are also a range of other human health and wellbeing benefits from green buildings.
While researchers have explored how exposure to nature can improve employee mental health, few studies have investigated the psycho-environmental potential of green buildings.
The integration of high quality environmental features in green-certified office buildings offers a superior work environment, with a potential to boost employee wellbeing. This study investigates the impact of these nature-based experiences on occupants’ psycho-environmental needs, feelings of connectedness and engagement with environmental behaviors in a green building.