What are the most effective ways to ensure your green building project is socially responsible?

2 Choose the right site and location

Another important factor to consider for your green building project is the site and location. The site and location can have significant impacts on the environmental and social aspects of the project, such as energy use, water consumption, transportation, biodiversity, land use, and community integration. Therefore, you should choose a site and location that minimizes the negative impacts and maximizes the positive benefits of your green building project. For example, you can select a site that is close to public transportation, amenities, and services, that has existing infrastructure and utilities, that preserves natural features and habitats, and that enhances the local character and identity.

3 Adopt green building standards and certifications

A third way to ensure your green building project is socially responsible is to adopt green building standards and certifications that address the social dimensions of sustainability. Green building standards and certifications are frameworks and tools that help you measure and improve the performance of your green building project in various aspects, such as energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor environmental quality, materials selection, and waste management. However, not all standards and certifications are equal in terms of their social criteria and indicators. Therefore, you should choose a standard or certification that aligns with your project goals and values, and that covers the social aspects that are relevant and important for your project. For example, some of the standards and certifications that have strong social components are LEED, WELL, Living Building Challenge, and BREEAM.

4 Implement green building practices and technologies

A fourth way to ensure your green building project is socially responsible is to implement green building practices and technologies that enhance the comfort, health, safety, and productivity of the occupants and users. Green building practices and technologies are methods and solutions that help you achieve the environmental and social objectives of your green building project, such as reducing energy use, improving indoor air quality, increasing natural light, and promoting occupant engagement. However, not all practices and technologies are suitable or effective for every project. Therefore, you should implement the practices and technologies that are appropriate and feasible for your project context, budget, and timeline, and that deliver the desired outcomes and benefits for the occupants and users. For example, some of the practices and technologies that can improve the social performance of your green building project are passive design, renewable energy, ventilation systems, lighting controls, biophilic design, and occupant feedback systems.

5 Monitor and evaluate the performance

A fifth way to ensure your green building project is socially responsible is to monitor and evaluate the performance of the project after it is completed and occupied. Monitoring and evaluating the performance of your green building project is essential to verify if the project has achieved the environmental and social goals and expectations, to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the project, to learn from the successes and failures of the project, and to improve the performance and satisfaction of the project. Therefore, you should monitor and evaluate the performance of your green building project using quantitative and qualitative methods, such as data collection, surveys, interviews, observations, and audits, and using relevant and reliable indicators, such as energy use, water use, indoor environmental quality, occupant satisfaction, and community engagement.

6 Communicate and share the results

A sixth way to ensure your green building project is socially responsible is to communicate and share the results of the project with the stakeholders and the public. Communicating and sharing the results of your green building project is important to demonstrate the environmental and social impacts and benefits of the project, to acknowledge the contributions and achievements of the project team and partners, to inspire and educate others about the best practices and lessons learned from the project, and to create a positive image and reputation for the project. Therefore, you should communicate and share the results of your green building project using various channels and formats, such as reports, presentations, websites, social media, newsletters, and media outlets, and using clear and compelling messages, stories, and visuals.