The findings from
the pre-eminent study on green buildings have been released and the results are
both surprising and encouraging.
Forty-seven percent
of those participating in the World Green Building Trends 2018 SmartMarket Report
expect to do the majority of their projects (more than 60%) green by 2021.
The UK is currently
13th out of 20 countries for eco-building, but the number of green schemes
is set to rise.
For example, the
2018 RIBA
Stirling Prize Winner was Bloomberg's
European HQ, designed by the architectural firm Foster and Partners. It is
Britain's greenest building.
Published by Dodge Data & Analytics, the new
industry report indicates that the international market for green construction
projects has grown significantly in the last 10 years and demand for green
building activity is poised to grow – to even double in some regions. In fact,
the report found a 20 point projected jump from those who currently report a
majority of green projects.
“As the world’s
largest provider of building technologies, we’ve seen the shift toward more
efficient, sustainable buildings,” says Chris Nelson, President, Commercial
HVAC for Carrier, premier sponsor of the study.
“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.”
Nineteen countries
are featured in the report, spanning six continents, and substantial growth in
the percentage doing the majority of their projects green is expected in each.
“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,”
says 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.”
Similar benefits
were reported for green building retrofits and renovations.
The report also
found that the biggest challenge to increased green building – the perception
that it costs more than traditional construction – declined dramatically from
over three-quarters in 2012 to under half today.
Another noteworthy
highlight is that many respondents plan to build green in the next three years
without seeking certification. However, over two thirds of study participants
using certification find that doing so allows them to create better performing
buildings; a finding echoed by other studies.
Healthier buildings
also emerged as a top green priority in the study. For example, the top social
drivers for green buildings included improved occupant health and well-being
and increased worker productivity. Other social impacts becoming increasingly important
include creating a sense of community and supporting the domestic economy.
“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,"
says Terri Wills, CEO of the World Green Building Council.
"Additionally,
around the world, green building is considered to have an impact beyond
significant environmental benefits, such as increased employee productivity and
satisfaction.”
The report also
features a special section on green technology, including the insights of nine
subject matter experts on the technologies currently improving building
performance and what they believe will be most influential in the near future.
Participants
included over 2,000 architects, engineers, contractors, owners,
specialists/consultants and investors from 86 countries. The report aims to
analyse the level of green activity, the impact of green building practices on
business operations, the triggers most likely to spur further green market
growth and the challenges that may impede it.
