Is the Construction Industry Truly Embracing Sustainability, or Are Green Buildings Still a Leap of Faith?

Which country, in your opinion, is at the forefront of green building construction? Brazil? The Philippines? Sweden? In a world where building construction accounts for 40% of carbon emissions, the United States leads the pack with 62.1% of office spaces larger than 50,000 square feet being green builds. Another aspect worth mentioning is that certified green buildings create a clean interior environment and act as a symbol of sustainability achievement. Green buildings without certifications are like breakthroughs without recognition. It is futile if your sustainable building’s cost-savings and higher efficiency fly under the radar.

Certificates that you might obtain to certify your building as green

Green building certification offers guidelines for enhancing interior air quality and demonstrating your commitment to sustainability.?

• LEED Certification

The non-profit US Green Building Council pioneered (LEED) energy and environmental design leadership to help building owners become more sustainable and efficient with their resources. LEED-compliant buildings will assist investors in accomplishing their goal of meeting the ESG requirements. One significant benefit of obtaining a LEED certification is offering your tenants a good account of yourself. According to the US Green Building Council, the rental vacancy rate for green buildings is reportedly lower than that of non-green buildings. The vacancy rate is down, and the operating and maintenance costs of a green building or property are cheaper than those of a non-green property. Constructors, architects, and designers have been instrumental in establishing sustainability from the ground up by acquiring a LEED certification. The following is a checklist that you should go over to obtain your building's certified LEED.

1. Water efficiency
2. Consumption of energy and the amount of greenhouse gas emissions?
3. Natural resources
4. Indoor air quality
5. Regional priority

Deciding to get LEED certified is the cream of the crop if you are prepared to draw in tenants and seek rent that is more than the going rate.

• Energy Star

If your building is Energy-Stared, you have chosen to save around 50% of your monthly energy bills. The difference in energy expenses between a home paying $142 monthly and just having to spend $71 thanks to sustainability buildings is nothing to thumb one's nose at. To safeguard both the environment and the inhabitants, energy Star-certified buildings—which are said to emit 35% fewer greenhouse gases—must adhere to the performance requirements established by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Put your best foot by reviewing the following requirements if you want your facility to be on the list of buildings eligible for Energy Star certification.

With 2024 only one month away, why should you certify your building as Energy-starred?

If you want your current building eligible for Energy Star certification, you must be familiar with the benchmarking principle shown in the figure above.?

As the first step, click on the Portfolio manager to learn more. The following stage is to benchmark your building, which involves measuring and contrasting your structures with others comparable to yours. The last step is to finish the online application by submitting a scanned copy of the one you first signed and submitting it electronically.

• WELL

WELL certification was administered by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) to evaluate your environmentally friendly actions to create a sustainable building. WELL building framework is geared toward boosting the human health and well-being of building occupants, which is why WELL certification is regarded as the World's top healthy building certificate program based on several case studies. The certification comprises a comprehensive strategy supported by state-of-the-art scientific research specifically designed to improve human health by

1. Enhancing the air quality?
2. Making sure that drinking water is safe
3. Choosing natural materials and resources
4. Enables you to have better sleep?
5. Concern for the residents' well-being.

Ten principles are essential to the WELL building, ranging from sound, materials, mind, and community to air, water, and nutrition. Refer to the table below for a detailed understanding of the points needed for a Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum certification.

WELL Certification proves invaluable for workplaces housed within a single building, transcending conventional standards. It not only monitors building performance but also actively seeks feedback. This dynamic approach empowers organizations to embrace a data-driven strategy in their relentless pursuit of employee well-being, going above and beyond conventional certification norms.

• EDGE

The green building certification program called Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiency, or EDGE, is a mechanism to incentivize developers to use measures to lower the structures' energy and water consumption.

Having your building EDGE certified means that you have gone above and beyond to reduce the direct energy consumption, water consumption, and carbon footprint caused by the materials used in its construction.?

Developers and builders in the construction sector have reaped the rewards from EDGE certification as they have determined the most economical course of action for reducing the total energy consumption required for renovating and building new structures.

Despite the fact that many argue that LEED certification has a more incredible worldwide reputation than EDGE certification, EDGE certification is nevertheless widely accepted and has been adopted by more than 50 organizations as a sign of an organization's dedication to diversity and inclusion.

Creating a sustainable future through the integration of eco-friendly lifestyles is of paramount importance. Every aspect of the construction process, from inception to completion, necessitates a comprehensive and enduring strategy for sustainability. Incorporating designs entirely centered on sustainable principles represents one of the most effective approaches to infusing green practices into the construction industry. It's never too late to take action and forge a connection that bridges the gap between sustainability and the construction sector.