Green building involves an array of practices to reduce the impact a structure has on the environment. It also incorporates the replenishment of natural resources, such as sunlight and rainfall.
Focus group participants overwhelmingly recommended the frameworks in Table 1. They also provided feedback that emphasized the need for education to go beyond the science of green buildings to address broader social and policy contexts.
Sustainability
Sustainability in green building involves minimising the impact of buildings on the environment through careful siting, design, construction, operation and maintenance. This reduces a building’s water and energy consumption and pollution emissions. It also includes reusing materials, using renewable energy and providing sustainable landscaping.
A key aspect of sustainability is the use of premium, long-lasting materials that exceed standard construction practices. This reduces maintenance and replacement costs over the life of the building.
Solar power is often included in green buildings to minimise dependence on the grid. Daylighting, reducing the need for electric lighting by utilising natural light, and using drought-tolerant landscaping are other common ways of lowering a building’s environmental footprint.
Green buildings are often designed to be carbon neutral or even net positive in their impacts on the environment by generating their own energy and increasing biodiversity. The International Green Construction Code and rating systems such as LEED, BREEAM and DGNB provide guidance to achieve this. There is a growing emphasis on scientific evaluation of actual performance through Life Cycle Assessments (LCA), which measure embodied energy, toxicity and more.
Energy Efficiency
Buildings consume large amounts of energy — both the embodied energy required to produce, transport and install building materials as well as operating energy used for heating, cooling and lighting. Green building practices aim to minimize both of these energy costs by using resource efficient construction methods and materials.
Renewable energy sources such as solar are often used in green buildings. Passive solar building design techniques orient windows, walls and awnings to capture sunlight for indoor heating in winter and cooling shade in summer. Solar-powered water heaters and photovoltaic equipment are also common in green homes. Green houses are more energy efficient, helping to keep electric bills low. Many are also built to reduce water usage through thoughtful land use and low-flow equipment.
Building green helps to support local economies by promoting the use of locally produced materials and products. This can help to decrease the energy needed for transportation and reduce the environmental impacts of producing these materials from virgin resources. Some green homes also encourage the use of recycled-content products to reduce waste from landfills and productively re-use wood pieces that would otherwise be burned or hauled away as trash.
Indoor Air Quality
Many green buildings incorporate advanced ventilation systems that reduce environmental toxins and improve indoor air quality (IAQ), benefiting occupants’ health. Traditional building materials often contain harmful toxins and volatile organic compounds that can offgas into the air, leading to respiratory problems and other illnesses. Green building practices minimize this toxic exposure by using low-VOC paints and finishes and other environmentally friendly products.
Sources of pollution include radon, tobacco smoke, gases released by fireplaces and gas stoves, molds caused by excess moisture, chemical off-gassing from building materials and household cleaners, and airborne pollutants such as pollen, dust mites, bacteria and fungus. Poor indoor air quality can result in health issues such as allergies, asthma and even more severe conditions like lung diseases.
Most of these problems can be fixed by eliminating or controlling the sources of the pollution, increasing ventilation and utilizing air cleaning devices. This is especially important in commercial buildings, where it is generally easier to control the environment than in apartments or homes.
Durability
A major benefit of green building is its increased durability, which can reduce maintenance costs over time. Long-lasting sustainable materials, such as bamboo flooring and 50-year roofing materials, can help reduce the need for repairs or replacements, which can save on energy costs.
Additionally, durable green buildings are better able to withstand natural disasters and extreme weather conditions. This durability can minimize interruptions to communication infrastructure and increase the safety of occupants.
The construction of green buildings also uses fewer harmful chemicals. This can improve indoor air quality, which can help boost the health and productivity of occupants. Materials like recycled steel and insulated concrete forms can minimize the presence of volatile organic compounds, which contribute to respiratory issues.
Another way that green buildings can promote resilience is by using renewable resources and incorporating water conservation strategies. These practices can help mitigate the impact that buildings have on climate change. They can also help preserve natural resources by avoiding waste and overuse of non-renewable materials. For example, repurposing existing buildings and materials for new purposes can reduce resource consumption, as well as reducing the amount of waste that is sent to landfills.
Local Economy
Green buildings support the local economy by using materials sourced locally, creating jobs in manufacturing and construction, and providing financial benefits through energy savings. Green buildings also help protect the environment, which leads to greater economic prosperity for everyone.
Energy efficiency coupled with renewables reduces reliance on non-renewable energy sources and improves energy security. The cost of renewable energy is also lower than fossil fuels, making green building an affordable option for homes and businesses in emerging markets.
Green building features include proper solar orientation to take advantage of free, natural energy from the sun throughout the year and tight construction that reduces heating and cooling costs. These features contribute to a comfortable indoor environment, allowing occupants to work and live more efficiently and productively.
Green buildings also use landscaping that supports biodiversity through blue-green infrastructure components and regenerative design. These elements contribute to a healthy ecosystem and enhance the health of the residents, reducing illness and stress. Green buildings also help communities adapt to climate change and mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events.