What are the best ways to include social and economic sustainability in your green building standards?

1 Define your goals and stakeholders

The first step to include social and economic sustainability in your green building standards is to define your goals and identify your stakeholders. What are the specific needs and expectations of the people who will live, work, or visit your building? How can you engage them in the design process and ensure their feedback is considered? How can you measure and communicate the social and economic value of your building? By answering these questions, you can set clear and realistic objectives and align them with the interests of your stakeholders.

2 Choose appropriate tools and frameworks

The next step is to choose the appropriate tools and frameworks to guide your green building standards and evaluate your performance. There are various tools and frameworks available that address social and economic sustainability, such as LEED, BREEAM, WELL, Living Building Challenge, and Social Return on Investment (SROI). Each of them has different criteria, indicators, and methods to assess the social and economic aspects of your building, such as health, comfort, productivity, equity, diversity, inclusion, and community engagement. You should select the ones that suit your goals, context, and budget, and that are recognized and trusted by your stakeholders.

3 Incorporate social and economic features and strategies

The third step is to incorporate social and economic features and strategies in your green building design and operation. These can range from simple and low-cost solutions to complex and innovative ones, depending on your goals and resources. For example, using local and recycled materials can support the circular economy and reduce emissions, while providing natural light, ventilation, and green spaces can improve health and well-being. Additionally, designing flexible and adaptable spaces to accommodate different uses and users can be beneficial. Implementing energy efficiency and renewable energy systems can reduce costs and carbon footprint, while offering amenities and services that enhance convenience and accessibility is also important. Creating opportunities for social interaction and collaboration among occupants and neighbors as well as supporting local businesses can contribute to the social and economic development of the area.

4 Monitor and improve your performance

The final step is to monitor and improve your performance over time. You should collect and analyze data on the social and economic outcomes and impacts of your building, using the tools and frameworks you have chosen. You should also solicit feedback from your stakeholders and users, and identify their satisfaction and challenges. Based on the results, you should make adjustments and improvements to your green building standards and practices, and communicate your progress and achievements to your stakeholders and the public.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?