importance of green building essay

Importance of Green Building

What is green building.

Green building, or sustainable design, is the practice of increasing the energy, water, and material efficiency of our buildings and their sites. Green building benefits our communities by reducing impacts on human health and the environment. Green-building concepts extend beyond the walls of buildings and include site planning, community and land-use planning issues as well. Green practices are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout the design and development of homes and business buildings. Green building comes with the same durability and longevity as traditional building.

Why is green building important?

The growth and development of our communities has a large impact on our natural environment. Manufacturing, design, construction and operation of buildings are responsible for the consumption of many of our natural resources, so maximizing efficiency and sustainability in this industry is essential to our community well-being.

From the siting process to design implementation, including maintenance and deconstruction, Green Built Alliance works diligently to enhance the communities well-being.

Who is Green Built Alliance?

Learn how the work of Green Built Alliance helps to advance the green building movement.

In the United States, buildings account for:

39% of total energy use
68% of total electricity consumption
30% of landfill waste
38% of carbon dioxide emissions
12% of total water consumption

Environmental benefits of green building:

Enhance and protect biodiversity and ecosystems
Improve air and water quality
Reduce waste streams
Conserve and restore natural resources

Economic benefits of green building:

Reduce operating costs
Improve occupant productivity
Enhance asset value and profits
Optimize life-cycle economic performance

Social benefits of green building:

Enhance occupant health and comfort
Improve indoor air quality
Minimize strain on local utility infrastructure
Improve overall quality of life

Statistics and benefits overview courtesy of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency .

Green Building Programs

Green Built Homes Certification Program

A NC statewide residential green building rating program administered by the Green Built Alliance. Homes receive a rating and certificate based on third-party inspections.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Rating System

A nationally accepted rating system for commercial and institutional buildings. The program helps establish a standard measurement for green building.

Green Building Resources

We host a wealth of materials to support you in green building. Our Resource Library offers many links to resources by category and our Magazine/Directory offers an annual publication with useful articles written by our members and staff.

A comprehensive review on green buildings research: bibliometric analysis during 1998–2018

Environmental Concerns and Pollution control in the Context of Developing Countries
Published: 16 February 2021
Volume 28 , pages 46196–46214, ( 2021 )

Cite this article

Li Ying 1 , 2 ,
Rong Yanyu ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-0722-8510 1 , 3 ,
Umme Marium Ahmad 1 ,
Wang Xiaotong 1 , 3 ,
Zuo Jian 4 &
Mao Guozhu 1 , 3

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Buildings account for nearly 2/5ths of global energy expenditure. Due to this figure, the 90s witnessed the rise of green buildings (GBs) that were designed with the purpose of lowering the demand for energy, water, and materials resources while enhancing environmental protection efforts and human well-being over time. This paper examines recent studies and technologies related to the design, construction, and overall operation of GBs and determines potential future research directions in this area of study. This global review of green building development in the last two decades is conducted through bibliometric analysis on the Web of Science, via the Science Citation Index and Social Sciences Citation Index databases. Publication performance, countries’ characteristics, and identification of key areas of green building development and popular technologies were conducted via social network analysis, big data method, and S-curve predictions. A total of 5246 articles were evaluated on the basis of subject categories, journals’ performance, general publication outputs, and other publication characteristics. Further analysis was made on dominant issues through keyword co-occurrence, green building technologies by patent analysis, and S-curve predictions. The USA, China, and the UK are ranked the top three countries where the majority of publications come from. Australia and China had the closest relationship in the global network cooperation. Global trends of the top 5 countries showed different country characteristics. China had a steady and consistent growth in green building publications each year. The total publications on different cities had a high correlation with cities’ GDP by Baidu Search Index. Also, barriers and contradictions such as cost, occupant comfort, and energy consumption were discussed in developed and developing countries. Green buildings, sustainability, and energy efficiency were the top three hotspots identified through the whole research period by the cluster analysis. Additionally, green building energy technologies, including building structures, materials, and energy systems, were the most prevalent technologies of interest determined by the Derwent Innovations Index prediction analysis. This review reveals hotspots and emerging trends in green building research and development and suggests routes for future research. Bibliometric analysis, combined with other useful tools, can quantitatively measure research activities from the past and present, thus bridging the historical gap and predicting the future of green building development.

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Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.

Introduction

Rapid urban development has resulted in buildings becoming a massive consumer of energy (Yuan et al. 2013 ), liable for 39% of global energy expenditure and 68% of total electricity consumption in the USA (building). In recent years, green buildings (GBs) have become an alternative solution, rousing widespread attention. Also referred to as sustainable buildings, low energy buildings, and eco-buildings, GBs are designed to reduce the strain on environmental resources as well as curb negative effects on human health by efficiently using natural resources, reducing garbage, and ensuring the residents’ well-being through improved living conditions ( Agency USEP Indoor Air Quality ; Building, n.d ). As a strategy to improve the sustainability of the construction industry, GBs have been widely recognized by governments globally, as a necessary step towards a sustainable construction industry (Shen et al. 2017 ).

Zuo and Zhao ( 2014 ) reviewed the current research status and future development direction of GBs, focusing on connotation and research scope, the benefit-difference between GBs and traditional buildings, and various ways to achieve green building development. Zhao et al. ( 2019 ) presented a bibliometric report of studies on GBs between 2000 and 2016, identifying hot research topics and knowledge gaps. The verification of the true performance of sustainable buildings, the application of ICT, health and safety hazards in the development of green projects, and the corporate social responsibility were detected as future agenda. A scientometrics review of research papers on GB sources from 14 architectural journals between 1992 and 2018 was also presented (Wuni et al. 2019a ). The study reported that 44% of the world participated in research focusing on green building implementation; stakeholder management; attitude assessment; regulations and policies; energy efficiency assessment; sustainability performance assessment; green building certification, etc.

With the transmission of the COVID-19 virus, society is now aware of the importance of healthy buildings. In fact, in the past 20 years, the relationship between the built environment and health has aroused increasing research interest in the field of building science. Public spaces and dispersion of buildings in mixed-use neighborhoods are promoted. Furthermore, telecommuting has become a trend since the COVID-19 pandemic, making indoor air quality even more important in buildings, now (Fezi 2020 ).

The system for evaluating the sustainability of buildings has been established for nearly two decades. But, systems dedicated to identifying whether buildings are healthy have only recently appeared (McArthur and Powell 2020 ). People are paying more and more attention to health factors in the built environment. This is reflected in the substantial increase in related academic papers and the increase in health building certification systems such as WELE and Fitwel (McArthur and Powell 2020 ).

Taking the above into consideration, the aim of this study is to examine the stages of development of GBs worldwide and find the barriers and the hotpots in global trends. This study may be beneficial to foreign governments interested in promoting green building and research in their own nations.

Methodology

Overall description of research design.

Since it is difficult to investigate historical data and predict global trends of GBs, literature research was conducted to analyze their development. The number of published reports on a topic in a particular country may influence the level of industrial development in that certain area (Zhang et al. 2017 ). The bibliometric analysis allows for a quantitative assessment of the development and advancement of research related to GBs and where they are from. Furthermore, it has been shown that useful data has been gathered through bibliometrics and patent analysis (Daim et al. 2006 ).

In this report, the bibliometric method, social network analysis (SNA), CiteSpace, big data method, patent analysis, and S-curve analysis are used to assess data.

Bibliometrics analysis

Bibliometrics, a class of scientometrics, is a tool developed in 1969 for library and information science. It has since been adopted by other fields of study that require a quantitative assessment of academic articles to determine trends and predict future research scenarios by compiling output and type of publication, title, keyword, author, institution, and countries data (Ho 2008 ; Li et al. 2017 ).

Social network analysis

Social network analysis (SNA) is applied to studies by modeling network maps using mathematics and statistics (Mclinden 2013 ; Ye et al. 2013 ). In the SNA, nodes represent social actors, while connections between actors stand for their relationships (Zhang et al. 2017 ). Correlations between two actors are determined by their distance from each other. There is a variety of software for the visualization of SNA such as Gephi, Vosviewer, and Pajek. In this research, “Pajek” was used to model the sequence of and relationships between the objects in the map (Du et al. 2015 ).

CiteSpace is an open-source Java application that maps and analyzes trends in publication statistics gathered from the ISI-Thomson Reuters Scientific database and produces graphic representations of this data (Chen 2006 ; Li et al. 2017 ). Among its many functions, it can determine critical moments in the evolution of research in a particular field, find patterns and hotspots, locate areas of rapid growth, and breakdown the network into categorized clusters (Chen 2006 ).

Big data method

The big data method, with its 3V characters (volume, velocity, and variety), can give useful and accurate information. Enormous amounts of data, which could not be collected or computed manually through conventional methods, can now be collected through public data website. Based on large databases and machine learning, the big data method can be used to design, operate, and evaluate energy efficiency and other index combined with other technologies (Mehmood et al. 2019 ). The primary benefit of big data is that the data is gathered from entire populations as opposed to a small sample of people (Chen et al. 2018 ; Ho 2008 ). It has been widely used in many research areas. In this research, we use the “Baidu Index” to form a general idea of the trends in specific areas based on user interests. The popularity of the keywords could imply the user’s behavior, user’s demand, user’s portrait, etc. Thus, we can analyze the products or events to help with developing strategies. However, it must be noted that although big data can quantitatively represent human behavior, it cannot determine what motivates it. With the convergence of big data and technology, there are unprecedented applications in the field of green building for the improved indoor living environment and controlled energy consumption (Marinakis 2020 ).

Patent analysis

Bibliometrics, combined with patent analysis, bridges gaps that may exist in historical data when predicting future technologies (Daim et al. 2006 ). It is a trusted form of technical analysis as it is supported by abundant sources and commercial awareness of patents (Guozhu et al. 2018 ; Yoon and Park 2004 ). Therefore, we used patent analysis from the Derwent patent database to conduct an initial analysis and forecast GB technologies.

There are a variety of methods to predict the future development prospects of a technology. Since many technologies are developed in accordance with the S-curve trend, researchers use the S-curve to observe and predict the future trend of technologies (Bengisu and Nekhili 2006 ; Du et al. 2019 ; Liu and Wang 2010 ). The evolution of technical systems generally goes through four stages: emerging, growth, maturity, and decay (saturation) (Ernst 1997 ). We use the logistics model (performed in Loglet Lab 4 software developed by Rockefeller University) to simulate the S-curve of GB-related patents to predict its future development space.

Data collection

The Web of Science (WOS) core collection database is made up of trustworthy and highly ranked journals. It is considered the leading data portal for publications in many fields (Pouris and Pouris 2011 ). Furthermore, the WOS has been cited as the main data source in many recent bibliometric reviews on buildings (Li et al. 2017 ).

Access to all publications used in this paper was attained through the Science Citation Index-Expanded and the Social Sciences Citation Index databases. Because there is no relevant data in WOS before 1998, our examination focuses on 1998 to 2018. With consideration of synonyms, we set a series of green building-related words (see Appendix ) in titles, abstracts, and keywords for bibliometric analysis. For example, sustainable, low energy, zero energy, and low carbon can be substituted for green; housing, construction, and architecture can be a substitute for building (Zuo and Zhao 2014 ).

Analytical procedure

The study was conducted in three stages; data extraction was the first step where all the GB-related words were screened in WOS. Afterwards, some initial analysis was done to get a complete idea of GB research. Then, we made a further analysis on countries’ characteristics, dominant issues, and detected technology hotspots via patent analysis (Fig. 1 ).

Analytical procedure of the article

Results and analysis

General results.

Of the 6140 publications searched in the database, 88.67% were articles, followed by reviews (6.80%), papers (3.72%), and others (such as editorial materials, news, book reviews). Most articles were written in English (96.78%), followed by German (1.77%), Spanish (0.91%), and other European languages. Therefore, we will only make a further analysis of the types of articles in English publications.

The subject categories and their distribution

The SCI-E and SSCI database determined 155 subjects from the pool of 5246 articles reviewed, such as building technology, energy and fuels, civil engineering, environmental, material science, and thermodynamics, which suggests green building is a cross-disciplinary area of research. The top 3 research areas of green buildings are Construction & Building Technology (36.98%), Energy & Fuels (30.39%), and Engineering Civil (29.49%), which account for over half of the total categories.

The journals’ performance

The top 10 journals contained 38.8% of the 5246 publications, and the distribution of their publications is shown in Fig. 2 . Impact factors qualitatively indicate the standard of journals, the research papers they publish, and researchers associated with those papers (Huibin et al. 2015 ). Below, we used 2017 impact factors in Journal Citation Reports (JCR) to determine the journal standards.

The performance of top10 most productive journals

Publications on green building have appeared in a variety of titles, including energy, building, environment, materials, sustainability, indoor built environment, and thermal engineering. Energy and Buildings, with its impact factor 4.457, was the most productive journal apparently from 2009 to 2017. Sustainability (IF = 2.075) and Journal of Cleaner Production (IF = 5.651) rose to significance rapidly since 2015 and ranked top two journals in 2018.

Publication output

The total publication trends from 1998 to 2018 are shown in Fig. 3 , which shows a staggering increase across the 10 years. Since there was no relevant data before 1998, the starting year is 1998. Before 2004, the number of articles published per year fluctuated. The increasing rate reached 75% and 68% in 2004 and 2007, respectively, which are distinguished in Fig. 3 that leads us to believe that there are internal forces at work, such as appropriate policy creation and enforcement by concerned governments. There was a constant and steady growth in publications after 2007 in the worldwide view.

The number of articles published yearly, between 1998 and 2018

The characteristics of the countries

Global distribution and global network were analyzed to illustrate countries’ characteristics. Many tools such as ArcGIS, Bibexcel, Pajek, and Baidu index were used in this part (Fig. 4 ).

Analysis procedure of countries’ characteristics

Global distribution of publications

By extracting the authors’ addresses (Mao et al. 2015 ), the number of publications from each place was shown in Fig. 5 and Table 1 . Apparently, the USA was the most productive country accounting for 14.98% of all the publications. China (including Hong Kong and Taiwan) and the UK followed next by 13.29% and 8.27% separately. European countries such as Italy, Spain, and Germany also did a lot of work on green building development.

Global geographical distribution of the top 20 publications based on authors’ locations

Global research network

Global networks illustrate cooperation between countries through the analysis of social networks. Academic partnerships among the 10 most productive countries are shown in Fig. 6 . Collaboration is determined by the affiliation of the co-authors, and if a publication is a collaborative research, all countries or institutions will benefit from it (Bozeman et al. 2013 ). Every node denotes a country and their size indicates the amount of publications from that country. The lines linking the nodes denote relationships between countries and their thickness indicates the level of collaboration (Mao et al. 2015 ).

The top 10 most productive countries had close academic collaborative relationships

It was obvious that China and Australia had the strongest linking strength. Secondly, China and the USA, China, and the UK also had close cooperation with each other. Then, the USA with Canada and South Korea followed. The results indicated that cooperation in green building research was worldwide. At the same time, such partnerships could help countries increase individual productivity.

Global trend of publications

The time-trend analysis of academic inputs to green building from the most active countries is shown in Fig. 7 .

The publication trends of the top five countriesbetween 1998 and 2018 countries areshown in Fig 7 .

Before 2007, these countries showed little growth per year. However, they have had a different, growing trend since 2007. The USA had the greatest proportion of publications from 2007, which rose obviously each year, reaching its peak in 2016 then declined. The number of articles from China was at 13 in 2007, close to the USA. Afterwards, there was a steady growth in China. Not until 2013 did China have a quick rise from 41 publications to 171 in 2018. The UK and Italy had a similar growth trend before 2016 but declined in the last 2 years.

Further analysis on China, the USA, and the UK

Green building development in china, policy implementation in china.

Green building design started in China with the primary goal of energy conservation. In September 2004, the award of “national green building innovation” of the Ministry of Construction was launched, which kicked off the substantive development of GB in China. As we can see from Fig. 7 , there were few publications before 2004 in China. In 2004, there were only 4 publications on GB.

The Ministry of Construction, along with the Ministry of Science and Technology, in 2005, published “The Technical Guidelines for Green Buildings,” proposing the development of GBs (Zhang et al. 2018 ). In June 2006, China had implemented the first “Evaluation Standard for Green Building” (GB/T 50378-2006), which promoted the study of the green building field. In 2007, the demonstration of “100 projects of green building and 100 projects of low-energy building” was launched. In August 2007, the Ministry of Construction issued the “Green Building Assessment Technical Regulations (try out)” and the “Green Building Evaluation Management,” following Beijing, Tianjin, Chongqing, and Shanghai, more than 20 provinces and cities issued the local green building standards, which promoted GBs in large areas in China.

At the beginning of 2013, the State Council issued the “Green Building Action Plan,” so the governments at all levels continuously issued incentive policies for the development of green buildings (Ye et al. 2015 ). The number of certified green buildings has shown a blowout growth trend throughout the country, which implied that China had arrived at a new chapter of development.

In August 2016, the Evaluation Standard for Green Renovation of Existing Buildings was released, encouraging the rise of residential GB research. Retrofitting an existing building is often more cost-effective than building a new facility. Designing significant renovations and alterations to existing buildings, including sustainability measures, will reduce operating costs and environmental impacts and improve the building’s adaptability, durability, and resilience.

At the same time, a number of green ecological urban areas have emerged (Zhang et al. 2018 ). For instance, the Sino-Singapore Tianjin eco-city is a major collaborative project between the two governments. Located in the north of Tianjin Binhai New Area, the eco-city is characterized by salinization of land, lack of freshwater, and serious pollution, which can highlight the importance of eco-city construction. The construction of eco-cities has changed the way cities develop and has provided a demonstration of similar areas.

China has many emerging areas and old centers, so erecting new, energy efficiency buildings and refurbishing existing buildings are the best steps towards saving energy.

Baidu Search Index of “green building”

In order to know the difference in performance among cities in China, this study employs the big data method “Baidu Index” for a smart diagnosis and assessment on green building at finer levels. “Baidu Index” is not equal to the number of searches but is positively related to the number of searches, which is calculated by the statistical model. Based on the keyword search of “green building” in the Baidu Index from 2013 to 2018, the top 10 provinces or cities were identified (Fig. 8 ).

Baidu Search Index of green building in China 2013–2018 from high to low

The top 10 search index distributes the east part and middle part of China, most of which are the high GDP provinces (Fig. 9 ). Economically developed cities in China already have a relatively mature green building market. Many green building projects with local characteristics have been established (Zhang et al. 2018 ).

TP GDP & Search Index were highly related

We compared the city search index (2013–2018) with the total publications of different cities by the authors’ address and the GDP in 2018. The correlation coefficient between the TP and the search index was 0.9, which means the two variables are highly related. The correlation coefficient between the TP and GDP was 0.73, which also represented a strong relationship. We inferred that cities with higher GDP had more intention of implementation on green buildings. The stronger the local GDP, the more relevant the economic policies that can be implemented to stimulate the development of green buildings (Hong et al. 2017 ). Local economic status (Yang et al. 2018 ), property developer’s ability, and effective government financial incentives are the three most critical factors for green building implementation (Huang et al. 2018 ). However, Wang et al. ( 2017 ) compared the existing green building design standards and found that they rarely consider the regional economy. Aiming at cities at different economic development phases, the green building design standards for sustainable construction can effectively promote the implementation of green buildings. Liu et al. ( 2020 ) mainly discussed the impact of sustainable construction on GDP. According to the data, there is a strong correlation between the percentage of GDP increments in China and the amount of sustainable infrastructure (Liu et al. 2020 ). The construction of infrastructure can create jobs and improve people’s living standards, increasing GDP as a result (Liu et al. 2020 ).

Green building development in the USA and the UK

The sign that GBs were about to take-off occurred in 1993—the formation of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), an independent agency. The promulgation of the Energy Policy Act 2005 in the USA was the key point in the development of GBs. The Energy Policy Act 2005 paid great attention to green building energy saving, which also inspired publications on GBs.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), a popular metric for sustainable buildings and homes (Jalaei and Jrade 2015 ), has become a thriving business model for green building development. It is a widely used measure of how buildings affect the environment.

Another phenomenon worth discussion, combined with Fig. 7 , the increasing rate peaked at 75% in 2004 and 68% in 2007 while the publications of the UK reached the peak in 2004 and 2007. The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC), a United Kingdom membership organization, created in 2007 with regard to the 2004 Sustainable Building Task Group Report: Better Buildings - Better Lives, intends to “radically transform,” all facets of current and future built environment in the UK. It is predicted that the establishment of the UKGBC promoted research on green buildings.

From the China, the USA, and the UK experience, it is predicted that the foundation of a GB council or the particular projects from the government will promote research in this area.

Barriers and contradicts of green building implement

On the other hand, it is obvious that the USA, the UK, and Italian publications have been declining since 2016. There might be some barriers and contradicts on the adoption of green buildings for developed countries. Some articles studied the different barriers to green building in developed and developing countries (Chan et al. 2018 ) (Table 2 ). Because the fraction of energy end-uses is different, the concerns for GBs in the USA, China, and the European Union are also different (Cao et al. 2016 ).

It is regarded that higher cost is the most deterring barrier to GB development across the globe (Nguyen et al. 2017 ). Other aspects such as lack of market demand and knowledge were also main considerations of green building implementation.

As for market demand, occupant satisfaction is an important factor. Numerous GB post-occupancy investigations on occupant satisfaction in various communities have been conducted.

Paul and Taylor ( 2008 ) surveyed personnel ratings of their work environment with regard to ambience, tranquility, lighting, sound, ventilation, heat, humidity, and overall satisfaction. Personnel working in GBs and traditional buildings did not differ in these assessments. Khoshbakht et al. ( 2018 ) identified two global contexts in spite of the inconclusiveness: in the west (mainly the USA and Britain), users experienced no significant differences in satisfaction between green and traditional buildings, whereas, in the east (mainly China and South Korea), GB user satisfaction is significantly higher than traditional building users.

Dominant issues

The dominant issues on different stages.

Bibliometric data was imported to CiteSpace where a three-stage analysis was conducted based on development trends: 1998–2007 initial development; 2008–2015 quick development; 2016–2018 differentiation phase (Fig. 10 ).

Analysis procedure of dominant issues

CiteSpace was used for word frequency and co-word analysis. The basic principle of co-word analysis is to count a group of words appearing at the same time in a document and measure the close relationship between them by the number of co-occurrences. The top 50 levels of most cited or occurred items from each slice (1998 to 2007; 2008 to 2015; 2016 to 2018) per year were selected. After merging the similar words (singular or plural form), the final keyword knowledge maps were generated as follows.

Initial phase (1998–2007)

In the early stage (Fig. 11 ), “green building” and “sustainability” were the main two clusters. Economics and “environmental assessment method” both had high betweenness centrality of 0.34 which were identified as pivotal points. Purple rings denote pivotal points in the network. The relationships in GB were simple at the initial stage of development.

Co-word analysis from 1998–2007

Sustainable construction is further enabled with tools that can evaluate the entire life cycle, site preparation and management, materials and their reusability, and the reduction of resource and energy consumption. Environmental building assessment methods were incorporated to achieve sustainable development, especially at the initial project appraisal stage (Ding 2008 ). Green Building Challenge (GBC) is an exceptional international research, development, and dissemination effort for developing building environmental performance assessments, primarily to help researchers and practitioners in dealing with difficult obstacles in assessing performance (Todd et al. 2001 ).

Quick development (2008–2015)

In the rapid growing stage (Fig. 12 ), pivot nodes and cluster centers were more complicated. Besides “green building” and “sustainability,” “energy efficiency” was the third hotspot word. The emergence of new vocabulary in the keyword network indicated that the research had made progress during 2008 – 2015. Energy performance, energy consumption, natural ventilation, thermal comfort, renewable energy, and embodied energy were all energy related. Energy becomes the most attractive field in achieving sustainability and green building. Other aspects such as “life cycle assessment,” “LEED,” and “thermal comfort” became attractive to researchers.

Co-word analysis from 2008–2015

The life cycle assessment (LCA) is a popular technique for the analysis of the technical side of GBs. LCA was developed from environmental assessment and economic analysis which could be a useful method to evaluate building energy efficiency from production and use to end-use (Chwieduk 2003 ). Much attention has been paid to LCA because people began to focus more on the actual performance of the GBs. Essentially, LCA simplifies buildings into systems, monitoring, and calculating mass flow and energy consumption over different stages in their life cycle.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) was founded by the USGBC and began in the early twenty-first century (Doan et al. 2017 ). LEED is a not-for-profit project based on consumer demand and consensus that offers an impartial GB certification. LEED is the preferred building rating tool globally, with its shares growing rapidly. Meanwhile, UK’s Building Research Establishment Assessment Method (BREEAM) and Japan’s Comprehensive Assessment System for Building Environmental Efficiency (CASBEE) have been in use since the beginning of the twenty-first century, while New Zealand’s Green Star is still in its earlier stages. GBs around the world are made to suit regional climate concerns and need.

In practice, not all certified green buildings are necessarily performing well. Newsham et al. ( 2009 ) gathered energy-use information from 100 LEED-certified non-residential buildings. Results indicated that 28–35% of LEED structures actually consumed higher amounts of energy than the non-LEED structures. There was little connection in its actual energy consumption to its certification grade, meaning that further improvements are required for establishing a comprehensive GB rating metric to ensure consistent performance standards.

Thermal comfort was related to many aspects, such as materials, design scheme, monitoring system, and human behaviors. Materials have been a focus area for improving thermal comfort and reducing energy consumption. Wall (Schossig et al. 2005 ), floor (Ansuini et al. 2011 ), ceiling (Hu et al. 2018 ), window, and shading structures (Shen and Li 2016 ) were building envelopes which had been paid attention to over the years. Windows were important envelopes to improve thermal comfort. For existing and new buildings, rational use of windows and shading structures can enhance the ambient conditions of buildings (Mcleod et al. 2013 ). It was found that redesigning windows could reduce the air temperature by 2.5% (Elshafei et al. 2017 ), thus improving thermal comfort through passive features and reducing the use of active air conditioners (Perez-Fargallo et al. 2018 ). The monitoring of air conditioners’ performance could also prevent overheating of buildings (Ruellan and Park 2016 ).

Differentiation phase (2016–2018)

In the years from 2016 to 2018 (Fig. 13 ), “green building,” ”sustainability,” and “energy efficiency” were still the top three hotspots in GB research.

Co-word analysis from 2016–2018

Zero-energy building (ZEB) became a substitute for low energy building in this stage. ZEB was first introduced in 2000 (Cao et al. 2016 ) and was believed to be the solution to the potential ramifications of future energy consumption by buildings (Liu et al. 2019 ). The EU has been using ZEB standards in all of its new building development projects to date (Communuties 2002 ). The USA passed the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, aiming for zero net energy consumption of 1 out of every 2 commercial buildings that are yet to be built by 2040 and for all by 2050 (Sartori et al. 2012 ). Energy consumption became the most important factor in new building construction.

Renewable energy was a key element of sustainable development for mankind and nature (Zhang et al. 2013 ). Using renewable energy was an important feature of ZEBs (Cao et al. 2016 ; Pulselli et al. 2007 ). Renewable energy, in the form of solar, wind, geothermal, clean bioenergy, and marine can be used in GBs. Solar energy has been widely used in recent years while wind energy is used locally because of its randomness and unpredictable features. Geothermal energy is mainly utilized by ground source heat pump (GSHP), which has been lauded as a powerful energy system for buildings (Cao et al. 2016 ). Bioenergy has gained much popularity as an alternative source of energy around the globe because it is more stable and accessible than other forms of energy (Zhang et al. 2015 ). There is relatively little use of marine energy, yet this may potentially change depending on future technological developments (Ellabban et al. 2014 ).

Residential buildings receive more attention because people spend 90% of their time inside. Contrary to popular belief, the concentration of contaminants found indoors is more than the concentration outside, sometimes up to 10 times or even 100 times more (agency). The renovation of existing buildings can save energy, upgrade thermal comfort, and improve people’s living conditions.

Energy is a substantial and widely recognized cost of building operations that can be reduced through energy-saving and green building design. Nevertheless, a consensus has been reached by academics and those in building-related fields that GBs are significantly more energy efficient than traditional buildings if designed, constructed, and operated with meticulousness (Wuni et al. 2019b ). The drive to reduce energy consumption from buildings has acted as a catalyst in developing new technologies.

Compared with the article analysis, patents can better reflect the practical technological application to a certain extent. We extracted the information of green building energy-related patent records between 1998 and 2018 from the Derwent Innovations Index database. The development of a technique follows a path: precursor–invention–development–maturity. This is commonly known as an S-type growth (Mao et al. 2018 ). Two thousand six hundred thirty-eight patents were found which were classified into “Derwent Manual Code,” which is the most distinct feature just like “keywords” in the Derwent Innovations Index. Manual codes refer to specific inventions, technological innovations, and unique codes for their applications. According to the top 20 Derwent Manual Code which accounted for more than 80% of the total patents, we classified the hotspots patents into three fields for further S-curve analysis, which are “structure,” “material,” and “energy systems” (Table 3 ).

Sustainable structural design (SSD) has gained a lot of research attention from 2006 to 2016 (Pongiglione and Calderini 2016 ). The S-curve of structure* (Fig. 14 ) has just entered the later period of the growth stage, accounting for 50% of the total saturation in 2018. Due to its effectiveness and impact, SSD has overtime gained recognition and is now considered by experts to be a prominent tool in attaining sustainability goals (Pongiglione and Calderini 2016 ).

The S-curves of different Structure types from patents

Passive design is important in energy saving which is achieved by appropriately orientating buildings and carefully designing the building envelope. Building envelopes, which are key parts of the energy exchange between the building and the external environment, include walls, roofs, windows, and floors. The EU increased the efficiency of its heat-regulating systems by revamping building envelopes as a primary energy-saving task during 2006 to 2016 (Cao et al. 2016 ).

We analyzed the building envelope separately. According to the S-curve (Fig. 14 ), the number of patents related to GB envelops are in the growth stage. At present, building envelops such as walls, roofs, windows, and even doors have not reached 50% of the saturated quantity. Walls and roofs are two of the most important building envelops. The patent contents of walls mainly include wall materials and manufacturing methods, modular wall components, and wall coatings while technologies about roofs mainly focus on roof materials, the combination of roof and solar energy, and roof structures. Green roofs are relatively new sustainable construction systems because of its esthetic and environmental benefits (Wei et al. 2015 ).

The material resources used in the building industry consume massive quantities of natural and energy resources consumptions (Wang et al. 2018 ). The energy-saving building material is economical and environmentally friendly, has low coefficient heat conductivity, fast curing speed, high production efficacy, wide raw material source and flame, and wear resistance properties (Zhang et al. 2014 ). Honeycomb structures were used for insulating sustainable buildings. They are lightweight and conserve energy making them eco-friendly and ideal for construction (Miao et al. 2011 ).

According to the S-curve (Fig. 15 ), it can be seen that the number of patents on the GB “material” is in the growth stage. It is expected that the number of patents will reach 50% of the total saturation in 2022.

The S-curves of a different material from patents

Building material popularly used comprised of cement, concrete, gypsum, mortar compositions, and boards. Cement is widely used in building material because of its easy availability, strong hardness, excellent waterproof and fireproof performance, and low cost. The S-curve of cement is in the later period of the growth stage, which will reach 90% of the total saturation in 2028. Composite materials like Bamcrete (bamboo-concrete composite) and natural local materials like Rammed Earth had better thermal performance compared with energy-intensive materials like bricks and cement (Kandya and Mohan 2018 ). Novel bricks synthesized from fly ash and coal gangue have better advantages of energy saving in brick production phases compared with that of conventional types of bricks (Zhang et al. 2014 ). For other materials like gypsum or mortar, the numbers of patents are not enough for S-curve analysis. New-type green building materials offer an alternative way to realize energy-saving for sustainable constructions.

Energy system

The energy system mainly included a heating system and ventilation system according to the patent analysis. So, we analyzed solar power systems and air conditioning systems separately. Heat* included heat collecting panels and a fluid heating system.

The results indicated that heat*-, solar-, and ventilation-related technologies were in the growth stage which would reach 50% of the total saturation in 2022 (Fig. 16 ). Photovoltaic technology is of great importance in solar energy application (Khan and Arsalan 2016 ).

The S-curves of energy systems from patents

On the contrary, air conditioning technologies had entered into the mature stage after a decade of development. It is worth mentioning that the design of the fresh air system of buildings after the COVID-19 outbreak is much more important. With people spending the majority of their time inside (Liu et al. 2019 ), volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, and carbon dioxide received the most attention worldwide (Wei et al. 2015 ). Due to health problems like sick building syndrome, and more recently since the COVID-19 outbreak, the supply of fresh air can drastically ameliorate indoor air quality (IAQ) (Liu et al. 2019 ). Regulating emissions from materials, enhanced ventilation, and monitoring air indoors are the main methods used in GBs for maintaining IAQ (Wei et al. 2015 ). Air circulation frequency and improved air filtration can reduce the risk of spreading certain diseases, while controlling the airflow between rooms can also prevent cross-infections. Poor indoor air quality and ventilation provide ideal conditions for the breeding and spreading of viruses by air (Chen et al. 2019 ). A diverse range of air filters coupled with a fresh air supply system should be studied. A crucial step forward is to create a cost-effective, energy-efficient, intelligent fresh air supply system (Liu et al. 2017 ) to monitor, filter outdoor PM2.5 (Chen et al. 2017 ), and saving building energy (Liu and Liu 2005 ). Earth-air heat exchanger system (EAHE) is a novel technology that supplies fresh air using underground soil heat (Chen et al. 2019 ).

A total of 5246 journal articles in English from the SCI and SSCI databases published in 1998–2018 were reviewed and analyzed. The study revealed that the literature on green buildings has grown rapidly over the past 20 years. The findings and results are summarized:

Data analysis revealed that GB research is distributed across various subject categories. Energy and Buildings, Building and Environment, Journal of Cleaner Production, and Sustainability were the top journals to publish papers on green buildings.

Global distribution was done to see the green building study worldwide, showing that the USA, China, and the UK ranked the top three countries, accounting for 14.98%, 13.29%, and 8.27% of all the publications respectively. Australia and China had the closest relationship on green building research cooperation worldwide.

Further analysis was made on countries’ characteristics, dominant issues through keyword co-occurrence, green building technology by patent analysis, and S-curve prediction. Global trends of the top 5 countries showed different characteristics. China had a steady and consistent growth in publications each year while the USA, the UK, and Italy were on a decline from 2016. The big data method was used to see the city performance in China, finding that the total publications had a high correlation with the city’s GDP and Baidu Search Index. Policies were regarded as the stimulation for green building development, either in China or the UK. Also, barriers and contradictions such as cost, occupants’ comfort, and energy consumption were discussed about the developed and developing countries.

Cluster and content analysis via CiteSpace identified popular and trending research topics at different stages of development; the top three hotspots were green buildings, sustainability, and energy efficiency throughout the whole research period. Energy efficiency has shifted from low to zero energy buildings or even beyond it in recent years. Energy efficiency was the most important drive to achieve green buildings while LCA and LEED were the two potential ways to evaluate building performance. Thermal comfort and natural ventilation of residential buildings became a topic of interest to the public.

Then, we combined the keywords with “energy” to make further patent analysis in Derwent Innovations Index. “Structure,” “material,” and “energy systems” were three of the most important types of green building technologies. According to S-curve analysis, most of the technologies of energy-saving buildings were on the fast-growing trend, and even though there were conflicts and doubts in different countries on GB adoption, it is still a promising field.

Future directions

An establishment of professional institutes or a series of policies and regulations on green building promulgated by government departments will promote research development (as described in the “Further Analysis on China, the USA, and the UK” section). Thus, a policy enacted by a formal department is of great importance in this particular field.

Passive design is important in energy saving which is ensured by strategically positioning buildings and precisely engineering the building envelope, i.e., roof, walls, windows, and floors. A quality, the passive-design house is crucial to achieving sustained thermal comfort, low-carbon footprint, and a reduced gas bill. The new insulation material is a promising field for reducing building heat loss and energy consumed. Healthy residential buildings have become a focus of future development due to people’s pursuit of a healthy life. A fresh air supply system is important for better indoor air quality and reduces the risk of transmission of several diseases. A 2020 study showed the COVID-19 virus remains viable for only 4 hours on copper compared to 24 h on cardboard. So, antiviral materials will be further studied for healthy buildings (Fezi 2020 ).

With the quick development of big data method and intelligent algorithms, artificial intelligence (AI) green buildings will be a trend. The core purpose of AI buildings is to achieve optimal operating conditions through the accurate analysis of data, collected by sensors built into green buildings. “Smart buildings” and “Connected Buildings” of the future, fitted with meters and sensors, can collect and share massive amounts of information regarding energy use, water use, indoor air quality, etc. Analyzing this data can determine relationships and patterns, and optimize the operation of buildings to save energy without compromising the quality of the indoor environment (Lazarova-Molnar and Mohamed 2019 ).

The major components of green buildings, such as building envelope, windows, and skylines, should be adjustable and versatile in order to get full use of AI. A digital control system can give self-awareness to buildings, adjusting room temperature, indoor air quality, and air cooling/heating conditions to control power consumption, and make it sustainable (Mehmood et al. 2019 ).

Concerns do exist, for example, occupant privacy, data security, robustness of design, and modeling of the AI building (Maasoumy and Sangiovanni-Vincentelli 2016 ). However, with increased data sources and highly adaptable infrastructure, AI green buildings are the future.

This examination of research conducted on green buildings between the years 1998 and 2018, through bibliometric analysis combined with other useful tools, offers a quantitative representation of studies and data conducted in the past and present, bridging historical gaps and forecasting the future of green buildings—providing valuable insight for academicians, researchers, and policy-makers alike.

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The datasets generated and analyzed throughout the current study are available in the Web of Science Core Collection.

This study was supported by The National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.51808385).

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Ying Li conceived the frame of the paper and wrote the manuscript. Yanyu Rong made the data figures and participated in writing the manuscript. Umme Marium Ahmad helped with revising the language. Xiaotong Wang consulted related literature for the manuscript. Jian Zuo contributed significantly to provide the keywords list. Guozhu Mao helped with constructive suggestions.

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Topic: (“bioclimatic architect*” or “bioclimatic build*” or “bioclimatic construct*” or “bioclimatic hous*” or “eco-architect*” or “eco-build*” or “eco-home*” or “eco-hous*” or “eco-friendly build*” or “ecological architect*” or “ecological build*” or “ecological hous*” or “energy efficient architect*” or “energy efficient build*” or “energy efficient construct*” or “energy efficient home*” or “energy efficient hous*” or “energy efficient struct*” or “energy saving architect*” or “energy saving build*” or “energy saving construct*” or “energy saving home*” or “energy saving hous*” or “energy saving struct*” or “green architect*” or “green build*” or “green construct*” or “green home*” or “low carbon architect*” or “low carbon build*” or “low carbon construct*” or “low carbon home*” or “low carbon hous*” or “low energy architect*” or “low energy build*” or “low energy construct*” or “low energy home*” or “low energy hous*” or “sustainable architect*” or “sustainable build*” or “sustainable construct*” or “sustainable home*” or “sustainable hous*” or “zero energy build*” or “zero energy home*” or “zero energy hous*” or “net zero energy build*” or “net zero energy home*” or “net zero energy hous*” or “zero-carbon build*” or “zero-carbon home*” or “zero-carbon hous*” or “carbon neutral build*” or “carbon neutral construct*” or “carbon neutral hous*” or “high performance architect*” or “high performance build*” or “high performance construct*” or “high performance home*” or “high performance hous*”)

Time span: 1998-2018。 Index: SCI-EXPANDED, SSCI。

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Li, Y., Rong, Y., Ahmad, U.M. et al. A comprehensive review on green buildings research: bibliometric analysis during 1998–2018. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28 , 46196–46214 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-12739-7

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Importance of Green Building

Some people remain confused about what green building is and how it is helpful to both humans and the planet. We break it down for you in this article.

What exactly is green building? Green building is an approach to designing, constructing, and operating buildings that promote environmental responsibility. The goal is to minimize the impact of buildings on the environment throughout their lifespan.

Green building means using materials and practicing construction in ways that benefit the environment. Green construction can save money, create jobs, and protect the natural environment. Green building is a way of life that provides lasting value. In this article, we will discuss the importance of green building .

Environmentally Friendly

The environment is one of the most important things to consider when designing a building. Green buildings use less energy, which means less impact on the environment, and they also use sustainable materials. This means that they will not contribute to global warming or other environmental problems.

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Healthier Living Conditions

Many people suffer from allergies and other illnesses because of the air quality inside their homes or offices. This can be prevented by using green methods of construction and design when building new structures or renovating old ones. These methods include installing solar panels on roofs or adding insulation to walls so that less dust gets inside through cracks around windows or doors.

Sustainable Energy Sources

Another excellent reason for going green with your next project is because it allows you to save money on energy costs by using renewable sources instead of fossil fuels (like coal) which produce greenhouse gasses that contribute to climate change and other environmental problems such as acid rain.

Water Conservation

Another aspect of green building is water conservation. This means using less water in general or using recycled water instead of freshwater sources such as lakes or rivers. Water conservation can be achieved by improving irrigation systems or installing rainwater collection systems that divert runoff into tanks to be used later when needed (such as during droughts).

Saves Money

Green building helps keep costs down by using less energy and water than traditional construction methods. By choosing materials that don't need to be heated or cooled as much, you can reduce your utility bills substantially. In addition, you will also save money on maintenance costs since these materials are designed to last longer than traditional materials and require less upkeep over time.

Improved Indoor Air Quality

Green buildings provide better indoor air quality than conventional buildings because they do not contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde, which cause health problems such as asthma attacks among people who live there.

Increase Your Home's Resale Value

Your home can be worth more if it has been built using green materials because buyers are looking for environmentally friendly homes. In fact, according to Builder magazine, homes that have been built using green materials often sell for more than similar homes without them because they're seen as having better resale value.

Lower Utility Bills

Green buildings use less energy than conventional buildings due to improved insulation and air sealing. They also have better solar orientation and use natural light instead of artificial lighting. This reduces your monthly electricity bill by up to 50 percent.

More Productivity

The first thing you will notice is that your company will be more productive. This happens because green buildings are designed to make people feel better and more comfortable in their work environment. This means they will be more effective because they are not feeling stressed out or uncomfortable due to their work environment. Another way that green buildings improve productivity is by helping employees reduce stress levels. The less stress there is in an employee's life, the more productive they will be in their job.

Innovation and Creativity

Innovation and creativity are two of the most important aspects of green building. This is because innovation and creativity can help to make a building more efficient, which means it will use less energy, water, and other resources. In addition, innovation and creativity can also help to reduce waste by making use of materials that are less harmful to the environment. This includes using recycled materials in construction projects or using different kinds of more sustainable materials than others.

Striving for a Better Future

Green builders must consider all aspects of a building's life cycle from its initial design through demolition and recycling to achieve this goal. This means that they must consider materials used during construction, energy consumption, water usage and waste management throughout the entire process.

Wrapping Up

Green Building is a complex set of technology and practices that focus on the design, construction, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of buildings to reduce the negative impact on human health and the environment. For more information on sustainable living and building green you can visit the Green Builder Media website.

Publisher’s Note: This content is made possible by our Today’s Home Buyer Campaign Sponsors: Whirlpool , Vivint, myQ, Sonos and Jinko Solar . These companies take sustainability seriously, in both their products and their operations. Learn more about building and buying homes that are more affordable and less resource intensive.

By Coye Burns

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10 Benefits of Green Building

Published on:.

January 15, 2019

The Rising Popularity of Sustainable Architecture

With our society’s increasing concern for the environment, it’s no surprise that green building continues to grow in popularity and you may be wondering what is green design? From residential structures to corporate facilities, architects are discovering new sustainable design processes to preserve our ecosystem while reducing our carbon footprint. Here are ten benefits of green building and green construction practices and how this architectural trend can protect the generations of tomorrow :

Improved Indoor Environment: Quality of Life

When it comes to our quality of life, it’s no secret that our surroundings have a major impact on our health. Over the past several decades, designers around the globe have made massive progress, developing sustainable architecture that can dramatically affect the inhabitants of such buildings and drastically reduce the negative environmental impact that buildings may have. From interior design elements like improved lighting sources, thermal conditions, ergonomic features and even upgraded air quality, occupants residing or working in green structures have experienced a marked improvement in their health, stress levels and overall quality of life.

Saving Water: Reduce, Reuse, Replenish

Another tangible benefit of sustainable building: water efficiency. Research shows that green architecture can not only reduce water waste through water-efficient plumbing fixtures but also reduce the strain on shared water resources. By installing specially-engineered systems to purify water, it enables water recycling and also allows for alternative sources of water (such as rainwater). These developments not only save this vital natural resource but protect clean water sources for the future.

Enhanced Health: Eco-Friendly For Life

Living in a sustainable building can save your life – literally. According to studies, people who reside in green structures experience a myriad of health benefits due to the eco-friendly materials utilized in construction. For example, green buildings avoid using building materials that may contain harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or plastic by-products which have been known to release toxic fumes and carcinogens into the atmosphere. These dangerous materials are linked to respiratory disease, allergies, and other health disorders, and in extreme cases, an increased risk of cancer.

Reducing The Strain: Shared Resources, Increased Efficiency

With our planet’s ever-increasing population (particularly in large cities across the globe), our local shared resources are being threatened as demands continue to grow. Based on the advancements and sustainable practices and technologies developed by ingenious architects worldwide, vital resources such as water and energy are being protected. By increasing efficiency, green structures are capable of reducing the environmental impact on such resources, which can potentially be protected and preserved for future generations.

Reduced Operational Cost and Maintenance: Traditional vs. Green

One of the greatest benefits of green buildings are their lower maintenance costs – featuring specially-engineered design elements to lower energy consumption and help reduce energy cost and water bills for each occupant. These efficient structures can save corporate and residential owners a bundle. Although the expense required for building owners to build such structures may be initially higher than traditional non-green forms of architecture, the cost over the long term is recovered exponentially.

Energy-Efficient: Non-Renewable vs. Natural Resources

As a green architect, energy efficiency is a primary goal in green building design. Developing structures that derive their energy from natural sources – such as the sun, wind, and water – is extremely beneficial to the environment, protecting the ecosystem from pollution associated with non-renewable sources (such as oil and coal). An added benefit: non-renewable energy sources are not only toxic but costly, while their energy-efficient counterparts (such as solar energy vs. traditional electricity) can save thousands over the lifetime costs of the infrastructure.

Carbon Footprint Reduction: Saving The Planet One Step At A Time

There has been an increase in large corporations opting for green initiatives. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) , buildings account for 30% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Landlords and large businesses have taken heed, as increasing sustainability is an opportunity to do something positive for both business and society as a whole.

Keep It Clean: Protecting Our Ecosystem

Global warming has been a growing concern for a number of years, and it’s no wonder – our planet has seen a drastic depletion of our natural resources, while pollution and the consequent climate-change is at an all-time high. Sustainable architecture is not only energy-efficient and healthier for its inhabitants, but it also benefits the planet. By reducing our reliance on non-renewable resources (fossil fuels such as coal and oil), green architecture can actually promote and maintain a cleaner environment.

Efficient & Sustainable Material: Minimal Use For Maximum Impact

Upcycling has taken the architectural world by storm – by using recycled material and reusing resources (and even repurposing old structures), sustainable architects, engineers, and green designers are tapping into existing resources to reduce carbon footprints and save natural resources. By implementing sustainable strategies into the design process, like reducing waste, preserving natural resources (such as water and wood), protecting our air supply, and limiting energy use, green building companies can create extremely efficient structures that can withstand the test of time.

Durability For The Green Homeowner: Built To Last

For educated homeowners, going green is a no-brainer: from energy and water savings and improved air quality to overall durability, sustainable materials have been proven time and time again to last longer. Green materials (such as recycled decking and roofing) not only endure for years exposed to the elements but require much less maintenance. In addition, because many of them are free from harmful chemical treatments, they are healthier for the environment (and the inhabitants they serve).

Check out one of the ways we’re reducing our carbon footprint at NewSchool, here . Or, learn more about our related programs, like our Interior Architecture & Design degree.

eco-friendly design
green architecture
green building
green design
sustainable architecture
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What Does an Interior Designer Do?

A comprehensive review on green buildings research: bibliometric analysis during 1998–2018

1 School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, No. 135 Yaguan Road, Tianjin, 300350 China

2 Tianjin University Research Institute of Architectural Design and Urban Planning Co., Ltd, Tianjin, 300072 China

3 Center for Green Buildings and Sponge Cities, Georgia Tech Tianjin University Shenzhen Institute, Shenzhen, 518071 Guangdong China

Umme Marium Ahmad

Xiaotong wang.

4 School of Architecture & Built Environment, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia

Associated Data

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11356-021-12739-7.

Introduction

Methodology

Overall description of research design.

In this report, the bibliometric method, social network analysis (SNA), CiteSpace, big data method, patent analysis, and S-curve analysis are used to assess data.

Bibliometrics analysis

Social network analysis

Big data method

Patent analysis

Data collection

Analytical procedure

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Analytical procedure of the article

Results and analysis

General results.

The subject categories and their distribution

The journals’ performance

The top 10 journals contained 38.8% of the 5246 publications, and the distribution of their publications is shown in Fig. Fig.2. 2 . Impact factors qualitatively indicate the standard of journals, the research papers they publish, and researchers associated with those papers (Huibin et al. 2015 ). Below, we used 2017 impact factors in Journal Citation Reports (JCR) to determine the journal standards.

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The performance of top10 most productive journals

Publication output

The total publication trends from 1998 to 2018 are shown in Fig. Fig.3, 3 , which shows a staggering increase across the 10 years. Since there was no relevant data before 1998, the starting year is 1998. Before 2004, the number of articles published per year fluctuated. The increasing rate reached 75% and 68% in 2004 and 2007, respectively, which are distinguished in Fig. Fig.3 3 that leads us to believe that there are internal forces at work, such as appropriate policy creation and enforcement by concerned governments. There was a constant and steady growth in publications after 2007 in the worldwide view.

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The number of articles published yearly, between 1998 and 2018

The characteristics of the countries

Global distribution and global network were analyzed to illustrate countries’ characteristics. Many tools such as ArcGIS, Bibexcel, Pajek, and Baidu index were used in this part (Fig. (Fig.4 4 ).

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Analysis procedure of countries’ characteristics

Global distribution of publications

By extracting the authors’ addresses (Mao et al. 2015 ), the number of publications from each place was shown in Fig. Fig.5 5 and Table Table1. 1 . Apparently, the USA was the most productive country accounting for 14.98% of all the publications. China (including Hong Kong and Taiwan) and the UK followed next by 13.29% and 8.27% separately. European countries such as Italy, Spain, and Germany also did a lot of work on green building development.

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Global geographical distribution of the top 20 publications based on authors’ locations

Global research network

Global networks illustrate cooperation between countries through the analysis of social networks. Academic partnerships among the 10 most productive countries are shown in Fig. Fig.6. 6 . Collaboration is determined by the affiliation of the co-authors, and if a publication is a collaborative research, all countries or institutions will benefit from it (Bozeman et al. 2013 ). Every node denotes a country and their size indicates the amount of publications from that country. The lines linking the nodes denote relationships between countries and their thickness indicates the level of collaboration (Mao et al. 2015 ).

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The top 10 most productive countries had close academic collaborative relationships

Global trend of publications

The time-trend analysis of academic inputs to green building from the most active countries is shown in Fig. Fig.7 7 .

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The publication trends of the top five countriesbetween 1998 and 2018 countries areshown in Fig 7.

Further analysis on China, the USA, and the UK

Green building development in china, policy implementation in china.

Green building design started in China with the primary goal of energy conservation. In September 2004, the award of “national green building innovation” of the Ministry of Construction was launched, which kicked off the substantive development of GB in China. As we can see from Fig. Fig.7, 7 , there were few publications before 2004 in China. In 2004, there were only 4 publications on GB.

China has many emerging areas and old centers, so erecting new, energy efficiency buildings and refurbishing existing buildings are the best steps towards saving energy.

Baidu Search Index of “green building”

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Baidu Search Index of green building in China 2013–2018 from high to low

The top 10 search index distributes the east part and middle part of China, most of which are the high GDP provinces (Fig. (Fig.9). 9 ). Economically developed cities in China already have a relatively mature green building market. Many green building projects with local characteristics have been established (Zhang et al. 2018 ).

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TP GDP & Search Index were highly related

Green building development in the USA and the UK

Another phenomenon worth discussion, combined with Fig. Fig.7, 7 , the increasing rate peaked at 75% in 2004 and 68% in 2007 while the publications of the UK reached the peak in 2004 and 2007. The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC), a United Kingdom membership organization, created in 2007 with regard to the 2004 Sustainable Building Task Group Report: Better Buildings - Better Lives, intends to “radically transform,” all facets of current and future built environment in the UK. It is predicted that the establishment of the UKGBC promoted research on green buildings.

From the China, the USA, and the UK experience, it is predicted that the foundation of a GB council or the particular projects from the government will promote research in this area.

Barriers and contradicts of green building implement

On the other hand, it is obvious that the USA, the UK, and Italian publications have been declining since 2016. There might be some barriers and contradicts on the adoption of green buildings for developed countries. Some articles studied the different barriers to green building in developed and developing countries (Chan et al. 2018 ) (Table (Table2). 2 ). Because the fraction of energy end-uses is different, the concerns for GBs in the USA, China, and the European Union are also different (Cao et al. 2016 ).

Top Barriers for Green building in US, UK and China

As for market demand, occupant satisfaction is an important factor. Numerous GB post-occupancy investigations on occupant satisfaction in various communities have been conducted.

Dominant issues

The dominant issues on different stages.

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Analysis procedure of dominant issues

Initial phase (1998–2007)

In the early stage (Fig. (Fig.11), 11 ), “green building” and “sustainability” were the main two clusters. Economics and “environmental assessment method” both had high betweenness centrality of 0.34 which were identified as pivotal points. Purple rings denote pivotal points in the network. The relationships in GB were simple at the initial stage of development.

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Co-word analysis from 1998–2007

Quick development (2008–2015)

In the rapid growing stage (Fig. (Fig.12), 12 ), pivot nodes and cluster centers were more complicated. Besides “green building” and “sustainability,” “energy efficiency” was the third hotspot word. The emergence of new vocabulary in the keyword network indicated that the research had made progress during 2008 – 2015. Energy performance, energy consumption, natural ventilation, thermal comfort, renewable energy, and embodied energy were all energy related. Energy becomes the most attractive field in achieving sustainability and green building. Other aspects such as “life cycle assessment,” “LEED,” and “thermal comfort” became attractive to researchers.

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Co-word analysis from 2008–2015

Differentiation phase (2016–2018)

In the years from 2016 to 2018 (Fig. (Fig.13), 13 ), “green building,” ”sustainability,” and “energy efficiency” were still the top three hotspots in GB research.

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Co-word analysis from 2016–2018

Top 20 keywords in classified patents

Sustainable structural design (SSD) has gained a lot of research attention from 2006 to 2016 (Pongiglione and Calderini 2016 ). The S-curve of structure* (Fig. (Fig.14) 14 ) has just entered the later period of the growth stage, accounting for 50% of the total saturation in 2018. Due to its effectiveness and impact, SSD has overtime gained recognition and is now considered by experts to be a prominent tool in attaining sustainability goals (Pongiglione and Calderini 2016 ).

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The S-curves of different Structure types from patents

We analyzed the building envelope separately. According to the S-curve (Fig. (Fig.14), 14 ), the number of patents related to GB envelops are in the growth stage. At present, building envelops such as walls, roofs, windows, and even doors have not reached 50% of the saturated quantity. Walls and roofs are two of the most important building envelops. The patent contents of walls mainly include wall materials and manufacturing methods, modular wall components, and wall coatings while technologies about roofs mainly focus on roof materials, the combination of roof and solar energy, and roof structures. Green roofs are relatively new sustainable construction systems because of its esthetic and environmental benefits (Wei et al. 2015 ).

According to the S-curve (Fig. (Fig.15), 15 ), it can be seen that the number of patents on the GB “material” is in the growth stage. It is expected that the number of patents will reach 50% of the total saturation in 2022.

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The S-curves of a different material from patents

Energy system

The results indicated that heat*-, solar-, and ventilation-related technologies were in the growth stage which would reach 50% of the total saturation in 2022 (Fig. (Fig.16). 16 ). Photovoltaic technology is of great importance in solar energy application (Khan and Arsalan 2016 ).

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The S-curves of energy systems from patents

Future directions

(DOCX 176 kb)

Availability of data and materials

The datasets generated and analyzed throughout the current study are available in the Web of Science Core Collection.

(From Web of Science Core Collection)

Time span: 1998-2018。 Index: SCI-EXPANDED, SSCI。

Author contributions

This study was supported by The National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.51808385).

Declarations

This manuscript is ethical.

Not applicable.

The authors declare no competing interest.

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Agency USEP Indoor Air Quality https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq.
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112 Green Building Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Green building is a growing trend in the construction industry as more and more people become aware of the importance of sustainability and environmental conservation. If you are a student studying architecture, engineering, or any related field, you may be tasked with writing an essay on green building. To help you get started, here are 112 green building essay topic ideas and examples:

The impact of green buildings on the environment
The benefits of green building certification programs
The role of sustainable materials in green building
Energy-efficient design principles in green buildings
The use of renewable energy sources in green buildings
The economics of green building
Green building policies and regulations
Green building case studies in different regions
The future of green building technology
Green building practices in developing countries
Green building vs traditional construction methods
The importance of indoor air quality in green buildings
The impact of green building on human health
Green building and urban planning
The social benefits of green building
The role of architects in promoting green building
The challenges of implementing green building practices
Green building and climate change mitigation
Green building and disaster resilience
Green building and water conservation
The role of green roofs in green building
Green building and waste management
The impact of green building on property values
Green building and sustainable development goals
The role of green building in carbon neutrality
Green building and biodiversity conservation
The psychology of green building design
Green building and community engagement
The role of green building in reducing greenhouse gas emissions
Green building and energy poverty
The impact of green building on construction industry jobs
Green building and affordable housing
The role of green building in disaster recovery
Green building and cultural heritage preservation
Green building and historic preservation
The role of green building in reducing urban heat island effect
Green building and transportation planning
The impact of green building on urban agriculture
Green building and social equity
The role of green building in reducing water pollution
Green building and sustainable tourism
The impact of green building on public health
Green building and sustainable transportation
The role of green building in reducing food insecurity
Green building and sustainable forestry
The impact of green building on wildlife conservation
Green building and sustainable fisheries
The role of green building in reducing plastic pollution
Green building and sustainable waste management
The impact of green building on climate adaptation
Green building and sustainable energy access
The role of green building in reducing soil erosion
Green building and sustainable agriculture
The impact of green building on marine conservation
Green building and sustainable fisheries management
The role of green building in reducing air pollution
Green building and sustainable water management
The impact of green building on biodiversity conservation
Green building and sustainable land use planning
The role of green building in reducing habitat destruction
Green building and sustainable fisheries conservation
The impact of green building on sustainable forestry
Green building and sustainable agriculture practices
The role of green building in reducing water scarcity
Green building and sustainable energy production
The impact of green building on sustainable transportation
Green building and sustainable waste disposal
Green building and sustainable land management
The impact of green building on sustainable water resources
Green building and sustainable energy consumption
The role of green building in reducing energy poverty
Green building and sustainable agriculture production
The impact of green building on sustainable fisheries
Green building and sustainable forestry practices
Green building and sustainable land use management
The impact of green building on sustainable water supply
Green building and sustainable energy efficiency
Green building and sustainable waste management practices
The impact of green building on sustainable transportation systems
Green building and sustainable land conservation
Green building and sustainable fisheries management practices
The impact of green building on sustainable forestry practices
Green building and sustainable agriculture management
Green building and sustainable energy production practices
Green building and sustainable waste disposal practices
The role of green building in reducing greenhouse gas

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Sustainable Development

What is green building and why is it so important?

The massive overhanging roof and double facades in the east and west of the Net Zero Energy Building@SDE at the National University of Singapore are deemed a powerful form of climate-resilient green architecture that shades the building from the scorching sunshine of the city state. Reportedly, it contributes to lower temperatures and reduces reliance on air-conditioning - a major source of energy consumption in a tropical area.

Coupled with the use of clean solar power, the environmentally-friendly design has led the building to produce just as much energy as it consumes, demonstrating that the carbon footprint of buildings can be reduced dramatically.

Though it may sound like wishful thinking, industry stakeholders in Asia believe the entire building sector could pull off the same feat, reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions through a host of ambitious measures around building design, low-carbon materials as well as efficient building envelopes, lighting and appliances.

This massive undertaking involves cutting both the emissions released during the construction phase, or embodied carbon , and those produced to operate the buildings, and could play a major role in limiting rising temperatures up to 1.5 degree Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels - the defining environmental goal laid out in the 2016 Paris Agreement in order to mitigate the impact of global warming on the planet.

Indeed, the building sector is responsible for pumping more emissions into the atmosphere than transportation and ranks second only to overall industrial production.

Singapore constructs more eco-friendly houses and buildings

Since 2005, the city state has drawn up plans to make its buildings more sustainable, with 80 percent of them slated to go green by 2030 through an all-out effort to reduce energy consumption in a sector that accounts for more than 20 percent of the country’s emissions.

This initiative is just one aspect of a comprehensive green plan that also aims to create more green spaces, boost public transportation and cleaner-energy vehicles while consuming and wasting less. "The green plan 2030 is the sustainability blueprint with targets for the whole country to address climate change," Alex Chong, Programme Director of Smart & Sustainable Building Technologies at the Energy Research Institute at Nanyang Technological University Singapore, told FairPlanet.

One of the main methods of promoting sustainable building in tropical Singapore is passive design , an approach that aims to decrease their energy demand with several strategies like facilitating natural ventilation and minimising heat absorption, according to Joy Gai Jiazi, a sustainability consultant.

This is achieved, for example, by designing the orientation of the buildings to harness natural wind currents, ensuring the breeze passes through the units, and to protect sun-facing facades from the afternoon sunlight, which generates the most heat. Walls coated in cool paint can also reflect away some sunlight and thus limit heat gain, explained Chong. Furthermore, sprawling greenery on rooftops and building facades has become a familiar sight in the city due to its heat absorbing qualities that reduce overall temperatures inside and outside, effectively countering the urban heat island effect , a typical problem in cities with an abundance of high-rises.

All these passive measures help reduce air conditioning and electric fan usage. In addition, active measures like energy-efficient lighting or sensors that can detect occupancy and switch lights off when needed are also common in Singapore.

A significant portion of this energy is clean, as many of the city’s buildings have solar panels installed on their rooftops. The city is already able to produce 350 megawatt-peak (MWp) of solar energy, and the Housing & Development Board (HDB), Singapore’s public housing authority, aims at a solar power production of 540 megawatt by 2030 , equivalent to the energy needed to power 135,000 four-room HDB flats. Reaching this goal could potentially save 324,000 tonnes of carbon emissions per year.

Building stakeholders in the city are also looking at ways to cut embodied carbon - an urgent issue in a city where most building materials are imported from overseas, which involves substantial transportation emissions. But Gai, the sustainability consultant, acknowledges that there are several challenges.

"Singapore Green Building Council has an embodied carbon pledge [to limit emissions]. But the industry still has little knowledge on how to reduce it, it’s a topic people are still learning about," she told FairPlanet.

One reduction approach involves repurposing or renovating buildings instead of tearing them down and building up new ones from scratch, said Chong, who advises construction stakeholders on how to achieve that. When they do need to be demolished, he added, this can still be done in a more environmentally-friendly manner by recycling their components for new infrastructure.

Affordable and green building materials in Nepal and Sri Lanka

Several projects spearheaded by the nonprofit housing organisation Habitat for Humanity to provide vulnerable communities living in shanties with safe homes show that there are multiple ways of cutting down on embodied carbon, even in countries with limited financial resources.

"Habitat has committed itself to a people-centred approach and this includes addressing climate change effects," Gregg McDonald, Habitat for Humanity’s associate director of operations in the Asia-Pacific, told FairPlanet. He added they tried to use traditional materials and design houses to minimise these effects.

In Nepal, Habitat has already built homes for dozens of families by making use of bamboo - a low-cost, abundant and strong material that locals have been using for centuries in construction - specifically treated to make it more resistant to bug infestation.

Bamboo is a formidably sustainable material because it regenerates quickly, taking only "four or five years until it’s ready to be harvested for construction, while soft timber, which has widespread use in house construction, takes around 30 years, with hard wood species taking 60 to 100 years," said Jim Kendall, Manager of Construction and Appropriate Technologies with Habitat in the Asia-Pacific.

Kendall added that bamboo also captures carbon dioxide and stores it for the entire home lifecycle, which can last up to a century as demonstrated by bamboo structures in Colombia. A study showed that a hectare of bamboo stands can absorb as much as 17 tonnes of carbon each year.

In a similar project in the Philippines, each bamboo house was estimated to save 7 to 12 tons of carbon dioxide emitted compared to conventional concrete construction levels.

Providing durable housing in an environmentally friendly fashion was also at the centre of another project Habitat did in Sri Lanka , where over 700 homes were built with compressed stabilised earth blocks (CSEB), a mix of earth and cement that was locally sourced and thus lowered the construction carbon footprint and the cost involved in transportation.

Since Sri Lanka has to import one of the basic components of cement, called clinker, CSEB can cut transportation emissions by requiring a much smaller percentage of cement without affecting the strength of the blocks. This reduction in cement use is also eco-friendly because "cement is a very carbon-intensive material as it takes a lot of energy to produce it at very high temperatures," stressed Kendall, explaining the logic behind promoting CSEB. A report found that one CSEB led to about 50 kg of carbon dioxide per cubic metre, while a cement sand block emitted about 130 kg.

As additional environmental benefits, the raw earth found in Sri Lanka didn’t require the addition of sand - whose sourcing to meet the demand for cement is depleting global supplies and wreaking havoc on the environment, particularly water sources - and can optimally regulate temperatures, cooling homes during hot seasons while keeping them warm in colder climates .

Beyond providing sustainable and safe shelters that improve overall health and increase education opportunities for children, McDonald of Habitat for Humanity believes that the bamboo and CSEB projects have proven to be financially viable models to increase livelihood opportunities by offering construction jobs and training locals in masonry.

"In some projects, we have trained them and they have continued to build houses as an income-generating activity," he said following the completion of the projects.

Homes for living, not an investment

Starting in 2003, China, the biggest producer of cement worldwide , has developed massive urban areas to boost its economic growth, using more cement every two years than the US did in the entire 20th century . And yet, tens of millions of its new homes sit empty , some of them situated in so-called ghost cities with mostly unoccupied buildings; cities that could house the entire population of either Germany, France or Italy.

This building spree has been boosted by the practice of putting wealth into real estate and has contributed to high housing costs that far exceed incomes - a trend prevalent in plenty of countries . The Chinese authorities are now trying to tackle the problem by implementing measures that cool down the property market, with the overall goal of building houses for living, not for speculation.

Lowering housing prices and making it a less attractive investment will benefit the environment as well by reducing the destructive deluge of cement we pour on it.

Image by Danist Soh .

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City life: Why are green spaces important?

Our cities are damaging our health. Here's how plants can help us.

By 2050, 68% of the global population will live in cities. That's 2.5 billion more people than today. In Europe, three out of four of us already live in urban areas, and the consequences of that are becoming clear .

Researchers estimate that nine million people die every year as a direct result of air pollution. In London, two million people - of which 400,000 are children - are living in areas with toxic air .

Why do we need nature in urban areas?

As our cities grow and more people move into already crowded spaces, what do we need to do to transform our urban areas into healthy places to live? An increasing body of research tells us that we should be letting nature back in.

Dr Cecil Konijnendijk is a Professor of Urban Forestry at the University of British Colombia (UBC). He studies the role of nature and green spaces in cities and towns, and how we can use the natural world to make urban environments healthier and more liveable.

'Research shows really clearly that we need nature in our surroundings. We need trees in our streets, plants in our gardens and flowers on our balcony. We need nature as our neighbour all the time.'

'We have a responsibility as human beings to take care of nature in our cities. In return, the benefits to our health would be huge.'

Growing a mini meadow of wildflowers in your garden or in a pot on a balcony can be beneficial to our health and make life better for pollinating insects. Read the full instructions .

The urban heat island effect

Green spaces in cities mitigate the effects of pollution and can reduce a phenomenon known as the urban heat island effect , which refers to heat trapped in built-up areas.

The urban heat island effect appears in towns and cities as a result of human activity. The heat generated by people, transport, shops and industry is trapped in the narrow roads and concrete structures, unable to escape to the atmosphere. This can bring the temperature in urban areas up 3-4°C higher than the surrounding countryside, and with that comes a vicious cycle.

Increased temperatures in summer leads to an increased demand for cooling. This expands our energy consumption, which in turn intensifies fossil fuel consumption, increasing pollutants in the air and harmful smog on our streets .

Hotter pavements also damage the water cycle. In summer, surface temperatures can be a staggering 50°C hotter than the surrounding air, and that heat is transferred to the rainwater that drains into our sewers, which in turn raises water temperatures as it is released into streams, rivers and lakes. This can be destructive to aquatic ecosystems, as changes in water temperature can be stressful or even fatal for marine life.

The benefits of green spaces in cities

Planning cities to include green spaces wherever possible is the first step in making our urban areas healthier. For example, adding a layer of vegetation to rooftops and creating green roofs has proven to reduce the urban heat island effect.

Having soil, plants and greenery on our roofs would both reduce surface temperature and serve as insulation for the structures below, reducing the energy needed to heat and cool the buildings. Green roofs can also help regulate rainwater, trapping it as it falls and filtering out pollutants.

Singapore's tall Supertree structures surrounded by a lake and a variety of plant life.

Singapore's Gardens by the Bay is a great example of a city bringing biodiversity into its centre. The tall structures pictured make up the sky garden's Supertree Grove. These vertical gardens are home to a wide variety of plants including orchids, vines and ferns. © Fabio Achilli ( CC BY 2.0 ) via Flickr

Trees in our streets also play their part, and a variety of tree species can have a profound effect.

'By increasing the diversity of trees on our streets we can create miniature forests,' Cecil explains. 'This has already started to be implemented in cities like Singapore, where they are mixing human structures with many different tree species.'

'These miniature forests in our cities create ecosystems, bringing a diversity of insect and bird species which, in turn, keep the trees healthy. If we allow ecosystems to flourish, we have to spend less resources on maintaining them.'

Cecil recommends going beyond creating pockets of nature within a city. He says, 'If we give space to natural processes and link up our green spaces, we can create flourishing and wild ecosystems in man-made environments. There were no sightings of the critically endangered smooth-coated otter in Singapore for decades. Now they are returning to the city, because of its dedication to nature.'

Green cities mean giving up some control of our surroundings - but for our long-term benefit.

'We need to get used to letting go and try not to manage everything. Some natural spaces are messy, but that's a good thing! Messy nature isn't just a great habitat for wildlife but it's good for children to play in. Children's depression and ADHD is on the rise and one of the reasons is our disconnect from nature.'

Simply having access to green spaces in cities can do wonders for our stress levels and concentration at work.

Cecil says, 'People need to interact with nature whenever the opportunity arises. Something as simple as a five- to ten-minute break during the workday can improve well-being and boost productivity.'

Democratising our green spaces

Right now, however, accessing to green spaces isn't universal - what's more, it can be a driver of inequality in our societies.

In 2008, a Lancet study by Dr Richard Mitchell and Frank Popham of 40 million British people found a link between income inequality, access to green spaces and life expectancy.

The study revealed that in rural areas with plenty of access to green spaces, the life expectancy of those on the highest and lowest incomes was roughly the same.

However, in urban environments, the gap in life expectancy was staggering. People on the lowest incomes living in cities are expected to live 10 years less than those on the highest incomes. This is due in part to the green spaces available to the richest people, who often live in open, leafy areas, while the poorest are often left living in overcrowded, heavily concreted areas.

Mitchell and Popham's results showed that as you move along an axis of increasing access to green spaces, the difference in life expectancy decreases. But the problem can't be solved just by creating green spaces in poorer areas.

Dr Matilda van den Bosch is a physician and an assistant professor at UBC, with a PhD in landscape planning and public health.

She says, 'It's not as simple as just creating green spaces in certain areas. The situation we have at the moment is that high-quality urban areas, with good access to nature, are more expensive to live in.'

'What's happening is that green spaces are being created, but suddenly those areas become more desirable and housing costs go up - often pricing out the people currently living there. It's a kind of green gentrification.'

'What we need is for there to be an effort to recognise that green spaces are vital for everyone, and that everyone should feel the benefit. Parks should be easily accessible, democratic spaces - somewhere you can go without the pressure to spend money, and meet people from all walks of life within your community.'

It will take some effort to truly bring nature into the heart of our cities, especially to sprawling urban jungles.

But there is plenty that all of us can do right now to protect what we have and encourage nature to flourish. By caring for and using the parks and green spaces near us, we show councils that these precious places are cherished.

You can also use your voice. Talk or write to those who oversee the public green spaces in your area - in the UK, this would be your local council and MP - about the changes you'd like to see. We all need to work together to create real change for people and the planet.

Urban wildlife

Do your bit for nature

Small actions can make a big difference.

Here's how you can help protect biodiversity.

You are invited to make your mark in the Museum gardens

From sponsoring a square metre of garden to dedicating a bench to a loved one, a donation to the Urban Nature Project is the perfect way to show your love for urban wildlife.

Everyone should live within a 15-minute walk of nature

The UK government has released plans to restore the natural world.

Why we should rewild ourselves and the places we live

When we live alongside nature, we end up happier and healthier. We might even end up rewilding ourselves.

How listening to birdsong can transform our mental health

Listening to some bird song can help improve our mental health.

Nature and pollution: what lichens tell us about toxic air

Like small signposts, lichens can tell us a lot about the air we are breathing.

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Green Groundswell

Home of the Unlikely Environmentalist

What is Green Building and Why is it Important?

London Olympic Park - Future Hackney Wick Business Center

Even if you are not an architect, contractor, developer, building owner, or realtor, chances are you have heard the term green building or sustainable building . You may even live or work in a green or high-performance building .

In this post, we will discuss what green building is and why it is important.

Since childhood, I have been fascinated by buildings—the way they look, how they are built and function, and especially their ability to positively impact how people live and work. When a former employer and client embarked on a green building program, I took the opportunity to learn as much as I could about green design and green building.

Why is Green Building Important?

Conventional buildings have a substantial impact on the health and wellbeing of people and the planet. They use resources, generate waste, and emit greenhouse gases throughout their life cycle which can be 50, 75, or more years. For example:

2011 Energy Consumption - Source: U.S. EIA

According to the U.S. EIA, roughly 41% of total U.S. energy consumed in 2011 was used in buildings (about 40 quadrillion BTUs).

U.S. EPA 2010 statistics show commercial and residential economic sectors accounted for 11% of greenhouse gas emissions which include burning fossil fuels for heat, use of products containing greenhouse gases, and waste.

The U.S. EPA estimates landscape irrigation accounts for about 1/3 of all residential water use, more than 7 billion gallons per day .

What is Green Building?

Green building is not new. Humans been building with local materials such as mud, straw, wood, and stone, and using renewable energy from the sun, the wind, and water for thousands of years.

Today, green building is the practice of designing, constructing, and operating buildings to:

Minimize resource use
Reduce waste and negative environmental impacts
Maximize occupant health and productivity
Decrease life cycle costs

A green building:

Makes efficient use of land, materials, energy, and water
Generates minimal or no waste
Provides a healthy indoor environment for its occupants
Restores, improves, or enhances the natural environment

How is Green Building Different than Conventional Building?

A few of the differences between green or sustainable building and conventional building practices are described below.

Green Building Integrative Project Approach

In a conventional building, the people responsible for designing, constructing, and operating the building may not meet each other until well into the project, at the end, or never.

“…70% of the decisions associated with environmental impacts are made during the first 10% of the design process.” — U.S. Green Building Council LEED Green Associate Study Guide

Green building uses an integrative project approach which brings people together at the front end to collaborate and share ideas that can enhance building performance and save money during construction and building operation.

Green Building Life Cycle Costs

Green building considers costs over the entire life of the building, whereas conventional building is often focused on initial design and construction costs.

For example, a residential home developer may scrimp on insulation to save money without considering how that impacts the energy costs of the future homeowners.

Green Building Operation

A key factor of high-performance green buildings is commissioning. This is the process of confirming the building operates as designed, resolving any issues, and training the people who will be operating the building.

Building operations personnel are the true heroes of green building. They are the ones responsible for monitoring, tweaking, fixing, and maintaining a building and its systems throughout the building’s life cycle.

Greening Existing Buildings

Green building is not just for new construction. Think of how many homes, office buildings, manufacturing plants, hotels, restaurants, and sports stadiums are a ready built. Green retrofitting, renovating, and remodeling of existing buildings is perhaps where we can get the most for our green dollar. Existing building green projects include:

Installing solar panels on the roof of a home
Replacing the lighting system in an office building with one that uses LEDs
Retrofitting factory plumbing fixtures with low-flow toilets, urinals, faucets, and showerheads

An American Icon Goes Green

The 102-story Empire State Building built in New York City in 1931 recently underwent a ground-breaking energy retrofit and renovation which included refurbishment of all 6,500 windows, a chiller plant retrofit, new building controls, and a web-based tenant energy management system.

Check out the video below entitled “Greening the Empire State Building”.

London Legacy Development Corporation
Empire State Building – Sustainability & Energy Efficiency
U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) – How We Use Energy
U.S. EPA – Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
U.S. EPA – Water & Energy Efficiency by Sectors
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
Wikipedia – Green Building

2012 London Olympics – Lasting Legacy

Author: Linda Poppenheimer

Linda researches and writes about environmental topics to share information and to spark conversation. Her mission is to live more lightly on Earth and to persuade everyone else to do the same. View all posts by Linda Poppenheimer

2 thoughts on “What is Green Building and Why is it Important?”

Another excellent video presentation. Where do you find them? Would have been lucrative to receive the bid for replacement of all those windows, certainly a major job. The photo of the homes in Washington shows almost no greenery except for the two trees in the fore ground, very austere looking. We have areas of artificial grass in the area where we live which has held up quite well and is absolutely care free. Do wish there was a way to make it without the use of non green elements. Hard to imagine less and less green as we move forward.

Appreciate hearing that there are corporations that seem to be taking green building seriously.

Locating videos is easy once you know what to look for. For example, type “green building” in the search window of your web browser and click search. The first results will be websites however you can change the results by clicking on the video or image menu tabs above the search window.

Turf lawns in arid areas are not sustainable so yes those do need to go. However, growing green things is essential to a sustainable planet and healthy people so we don’t need to go without green in our world.

5 Advantages of Green Buildings: Benefits and Examples

Discover the advantages of green buildings! Dive into how they benefit our environment, economy, and health and explore future trends and real-world examples.

Imagine living or working in a space that not only benefits your health and wallet but also the planet. Sounds fantastic, right?

Welcome to the world of green buildings! The advantages of green buildings stretch far beyond the usual bricks and mortar.

They offer a unique blend of economic, environmental, and social benefits that are transforming our built environment.

Let’s delve into this fascinating world and uncover the myriad benefits that green buildings bring to our lives and our future generations.

Advantages of Green Buildings

Table of Contents

Ever wondered how a building could be more than just walls, floors, and a roof?

In this post, we’re going to explore the advantages of green buildings, structures that go the extra mile.

We’ll delve into how they’re not only designed to look good, but also to reduce environmental impact, save money, and promote healthier living.

From their environmental benefits to their economic perks, from their contribution to our health to their efficient use of materials, we’ll cover it all.

We’ll also share some inspiring case studies, address common misconceptions, and look at what the future holds for green buildings.

So, let’s embark on this journey to understand how green buildings are reshaping our world.

Definition of Green Buildings

So, what exactly are green buildings? Well, they’re not just structures painted green!

Green buildings, also known as sustainable buildings, are designed and constructed with a focus on efficiency and minimal impact on the environment.

They incorporate practices that reduce carbon footprint, reduce energy consumption, improve water efficiency, utilize sustainable building materials, and promote better indoor air quality.

From the environmental design phase to construction materials, and even during their operation, green buildings aim to respect and work with the environment, rather than against it.

They’re like a breath of fresh air in the world of green architecture and green construction methods!

Importance of Green Buildings

Now, you might be wondering, why all the fuss about green buildings?

The importance of green buildings lies in their numerous benefits that extend beyond the building itself.

For starters, they play a significant role in tackling climate change.

With traditional buildings accounting for a substantial portion of global energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, green buildings offer a way to reduce this impact for building owners.

They’re like the superheroes of the building world, battling against climate change one building at a time!

But the benefits don’t stop at the environment. Green buildings also make economic sense.

They can lead to significant cost savings over time through reduced energy and water usage.

Plus, they often have higher property values compared to conventional commercial buildings.

And let’s not forget about the people living or working in these buildings.

Green buildings provide healthier and more comfortable spaces for occupants.

They’re designed to maximize natural light, improve air quality, and even reduce noise levels.

In a nutshell, green buildings are a win-win-win, for the environment, for the economy, and for people. And that’s why they’re so important.

Now that we’ve defined what green buildings are and why they’re so important, let’s dive deeper into their advantages.

These eco-friendly structures are packed with benefits that truly make them stand out in the world of architecture.

From their positive impact on the environment to their economic benefits and their contribution to our health and well-being, green buildings are truly a game-changer.

They also champion the use of sustainable and efficient materials, making them a beacon of sustainability in our built environment.

So, let’s unpack these advantages and see how green buildings are making a difference in our world.

Environmental Benefits

Reduction in Energy Usage: One of the standout features of green buildings is their ability to significantly reduce energy usage.

How do they do this? Through smart design and the use of energy-efficient technologies.

For instance, green buildings often incorporate natural light to reduce the need for artificial lighting.

They also use energy-efficient appliances and systems, like LED lighting and high-efficiency HVAC systems. It’s like putting your building on an energy diet!

Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions: By reducing energy usage, green buildings also help to lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Think of it as your building doing its part to fight climate change. It’s like each green building is a small but significant soldier in the battle against global warming.

Water Efficiency: Green buildings don’t just shine in energy efficiency; they’re also champions of water efficiency.

They often incorporate features like low-flow fixtures, rainwater harvesting systems, and greywater recycling.

These features help to reduce water usage and make the most of every drop.

It’s like giving your building a lesson in water conservation!

Economic Benefits

Cost Savings: While green buildings might have higher upfront costs, they can lead to significant cost savings in the long run.

Thanks to their energy and water efficiency, green buildings can help to reduce utility bills.

It’s like your building is not just eco-friendly, but also wallet-friendly!

Increased Property Value: Green buildings often have higher property values compared to conventional buildings.

This is because more and more people are recognizing the benefits of green buildings and are willing to pay a premium for them.

It’s like your green building is not just a building, but also a smart investment!

Higher Return on Investment: With their cost savings and increased property values, green buildings often offer a higher return on investment compared to conventional buildings.

So, investing in a green building is not just good for the planet, but also for your pocket!

Health and Social Benefits

Improved Indoor Air Quality: Green buildings are designed to promote better indoor air quality.

They do this through the use of non-toxic materials and improved ventilation. It’s like your building is looking out for your health!

Enhanced Occupant Comfort and Health: Green buildings also focus on providing a comfortable and healthy environment for occupants.

They do this through features like natural light, temperature control, and noise reduction.

It’s like your building is designed to keep you happy and healthy!

Increased Productivity: Believe it or not, green buildings can even help to boost productivity.

Studies have shown that people are more productive in environments with good air quality, comfortable temperatures, and natural light which are all features of green buildings.

It’s like your building is your secret weapon for getting more done!

Sustainable and Efficient Material Use

Use of Recycled and Upcycled Materials: Green buildings often make use of recycled and upcycled materials.

This helps to reduce the demand for new materials and reduces waste. It’s like your building is part of the recycling revolution!

Durability and Longevity of Green Materials: Green materials are not just eco-friendly, but they’re often also more durable and longer-lasting than conventional materials.

This means that green buildings can stand the test of time. It’s like your building is built to last!

Case Studies of Green Buildings

Now that we’ve explored the myriad advantages of green buildings, let’s bring these benefits to life with some real-world examples.

In this section, we’ll take a look at some standout green buildings from around the world.

These case studies will not only illustrate the benefits we’ve discussed but also showcase the innovative design and construction practices that make these buildings so remarkable.

We’ll also delve into the lessons learned and best practices gleaned from these projects.

So, get ready to be inspired by how green buildings are making a difference in communities around the globe!

Examples of Successful Green Buildings

Let’s take a virtual tour of some successful green buildings that have made a mark in the world of sustainable architecture.

The Edge, Amsterdam:

Known as the greenest office building in the world, The Edge in Amsterdam is a shining example of sustainability.

It boasts a BREEAM score of 98.36%, the highest ever awarded.

The building uses a range of smart technologies, including a connected lighting system that not only reduces energy usage but also provides data on occupancy and usage patterns.

It’s like the building itself is a living, breathing entity!

Bullitt Center, Seattle:

Dubbed the greenest commercial building in the world, the Bullitt Center in Seattle is a marvel of sustainable design.

It’s a net-zero energy building, meaning it produces as much energy as it uses, thanks to a large solar panel array on its roof.

The building also features a rainwater collection system and composting toilets. It’s like the building is a self-sustaining ecosystem!

Lessons Learned and Best Practices

From these and other successful green buildings, we can glean some valuable lessons and best practices.

Integrated Design Process: One key lesson is the importance of an integrated design process.

This means bringing together all stakeholders, including architects, engineers, and occupants, from the early stages of design.

This collaborative approach ensures that all aspects of sustainability are considered and integrated into the building design.

It’s like having a team huddle before the big game!

Focus on Occupant Comfort: Another important lesson is the focus on occupant comfort.

Green buildings are not just about reducing environmental impact; they’re also about creating healthy and comfortable spaces for people.

This means considering factors like natural light, air quality, and thermal comfort in the design. It’s like designing a building with a big heart!

Long-term Perspective: Lastly, successful green buildings take a long-term perspective.

While they might have higher upfront costs, the long-term benefits in terms of energy savings, human health benefits, and environmental impact make them a smart investment.

It’s like planting a seed and nurturing it to grow into a mighty tree!

Challenges and Misconceptions about Green Buildings

While green buildings offer a host of benefits, they’re not without their challenges and misconceptions.

In this section, we’ll address some of the common hurdles and misunderstandings that often come up when discussing green buildings.

From concerns about higher initial costs to misconceptions about performance and comfort, we’ll tackle these issues head-on.

We’ll also discuss the need for specialized knowledge and skills in the field of green building.

So, let’s dive in and debunk some myths while shedding light on the realities of green building.

Higher Initial Costs

One of the most common challenges associated with green buildings is the perception of higher initial costs.

It’s true that sustainable materials and technologies can sometimes come with a higher price tag upfront.

However, it’s important to consider the bigger picture. While the initial investment might be higher, the long-term savings in energy and water costs can more than makeup for it.

It’s like buying a car with better gas mileage where you might pay more upfront, but you’ll save money at the pump over the long run!

Misconceptions about Performance and Comfort

Another common misconception about green buildings is that they compromise on performance and comfort.

Some people believe that energy-efficient buildings might be darker or less comfortable. But that’s not the case!

Green buildings are designed to be just as comfortable, if not more so, than conventional buildings.

They use natural light, improve air quality, and maintain comfortable temperatures.

It’s like living in a home that’s not just good for the environment, but also good for you!

Need for Specialized Knowledge and Skills

Building green requires a certain level of specialized knowledge and skills.

From understanding sustainable materials to knowing how to design for energy efficiency, it’s a field that requires expertise.

This can sometimes be a barrier, as there might be a lack of trained professionals in some areas.

However, with the growing interest in sustainability, more and more professionals are gaining the skills needed to design and construct green buildings.

It’s like a new wave of builders and architects, armed with the knowledge to build a more sustainable future!

Future of Green Buildings

As we look toward the horizon, what does the future hold for green buildings?

In this section, we’ll explore the exciting trends and innovations shaping the future of sustainable architecture.

We’ll also delve into the crucial role green buildings will play in sustainable development.

From new materials and technologies to changing attitudes and policies, the future of green buildings is bright and full of potential.

So, let’s journey into the future and see how green buildings will continue to evolve and make our world a better place.

Trends and Innovations in Green Building Design

As we step into the future, several exciting trends and innovations are shaping the world of green building design.

Smart Buildings: One of the biggest trends is the rise of smart buildings.

These buildings use advanced technology to monitor and control various systems, including heating, lighting, and security.

This not only improves efficiency but also enhances the comfort and safety of occupants. It’s like your building has a brain of its own!

Biophilic Design: Another trend is biophilic design, which involves incorporating elements of nature into the built environment.

This can include things like living walls, indoor gardens, and natural materials.

Research shows that biophilic design can improve well-being and productivity. It’s like bringing a piece of the great outdoors inside!

Net-Zero Energy Buildings: We’re also seeing a rise in net-zero energy buildings.

These are buildings that produce as much energy as they consume, usually through renewable energy sources like solar panels or wind turbines.

It’s like your building is a self-sustaining island of energy efficiency!

Role of Green Buildings in Sustainable Development

Green buildings play a crucial role in sustainable development.

They’re a key part of the solution to many of the challenges we face, from climate change to resource depletion.

Reducing Environmental Impact: By reducing energy and water consumption, and by using sustainable materials, green buildings help to lessen our impact on the environment.

It’s like each green building is a small step towards a more sustainable planet!

Promoting Health and Well-being: Green buildings also promote health and well-being.

By improving air quality, increasing natural light, and creating comfortable spaces, they contribute to healthier and happier communities.

It’s like your building is looking out for your well-being!

Economic Sustainability: Lastly, green buildings contribute to economic sustainability.

They can lead to cost savings, create jobs, and contribute to a more resilient economy.

It’s like your building is not just a building, but also a driver of sustainable development!

As we’ve journeyed through the world of green buildings, you might have a few questions brewing. Well, you’re not alone!

In this section, we’ll tackle some of the most frequently asked questions about green buildings.

From understanding the main elements of a green building to exploring how they contribute to cost savings and health benefits, we’ve got you covered.

We’ll even delve into the future benefits of green buildings. So, let’s dive into these FAQs and quench your curiosity about green buildings.

Q: What are the main elements of a green building?

A: Great question! The main elements of a green building typically include energy efficiency, water efficiency, the use of sustainable materials, and a focus on indoor environmental quality.

This means they’re designed to reduce energy and water consumption, use materials that have a low impact on the environment, and provide a healthy and comfortable environment for occupants.

It’s like the building is designed with both the planet and its people in mind!

Q: How does a green building contribute to cost savings?

A: Green buildings contribute to cost savings primarily through reduced energy and water usage.

By using energy-efficient technologies and water-saving features, green buildings can significantly lower utility bills.

Plus, the use of durable and low-maintenance materials can lower maintenance costs.

Q: What are the health benefits of living or working in a green building?

A: Living or working in a green building can offer numerous health benefits.

These buildings are designed to improve indoor air quality, maximize natural light, and maintain comfortable temperatures.

This can lead to improved comfort, reduced risk of illness, and even increased productivity.

It’s like your building is looking out for your health and well-being!

Q: What are the benefits of green building in the future?

A: Looking to the future, green buildings will play a crucial role in tackling climate change, promoting sustainable development, and creating healthier communities.

They’ll help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve natural resources, and create comfortable and healthy spaces for people.

Plus, as more and more people recognize the benefits of green buildings, they’ll become increasingly popular, leading to a more sustainable and resilient built environment.

It’s like green buildings are paving the way for a brighter future!

As we wrap up our deep dive into the world of green buildings, it’s clear that these sustainable structures offer a host of benefits, from environmental to economic to health.

But more than that, they represent a shift in how we think about our built environment.

In this conclusion, we’ll recap the importance and benefits of green buildings and make a call to action for more adoption of green building practices.

So, let’s take a moment to reflect on what we’ve learned and consider how we can all play a part in promoting a more sustainable future.

Recap of the Importance and Benefits of Green Buildings

As we look back on our journey through the world of green buildings, it’s clear that these structures are more than just buildings.

They’re a testament to our ability to create spaces that are not only functional and beautiful but also kind to our planet and beneficial to our health and well-being.

From their impressive environmental benefits, like reduced energy usage and lower greenhouse gas emissions, to their economic advantages, such as cost savings and increased property value, green buildings truly stand out.

And let’s not forget their contribution to our health and social well-being, offering improved indoor air quality, enhanced comfort, and increased productivity.

Plus, their focus on sustainable and efficient material use sets a new standard for the building industry.

It’s like we’ve discovered a new blueprint for building that’s better for us and for our planet!

Call to Action for More Adoption of Green Building Practices

But understanding the importance and benefits of green buildings is just the first step.

Now, it’s time for action. Whether you’re a builder, architect, property owner, or just someone who cares about the environment, we all have a role to play in promoting the adoption of green building practices.

This could mean choosing to live or work in a green building, incorporating green building practices into your own projects, or advocating for policies that support a sustainable construction industry.

Remember, every green building makes a difference. So, let’s take what we’ve learned and use it to create a more sustainable future.

It’s like we’re all architects, designing a better world one green building at a time!

81 Green Building Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best green building topic ideas & essay examples, ✅ simple & easy green building essay titles, 🔎 good research topics about green building, ❓ green architecture research questions.

Green Buildings and Environmental Sustainability This paper scrutinizes the characteristics that need to be possessed by a building for it to qualify as green coupled with questioning the capacity of the green movements across the globe to prescribe the construction […]
Green Buildings and Their Efficiency Water Consumption The resources are useful in terms of provide regulation of buildings, components of green buildings, selection of green materials and where to purchase such materials.
The Relationship Between Green Buildings and Operations Management Once a total budget for a green building project is set, project management should think in terms of the possible impact of different combinations: the extremes of spending the total budget, and the results expected […]
Green Building Design Management The concert of service and product design involves environmentally friendly technologies and effective use of natural resources and materials. It influences allocation of resources, design of the building an selection of materials and technologies.
Operations Management vs. Green Building (GB) Introduction Green Building and Operations Management Importance and Role of Operations Management Conclusion Green building depends upon effective management process and resource allocation.
Lightening Solution for a Green Building Now better is the efficiency of electricity to light conversion, lesser is the electrical energy wasted and lesser is the amount of fossil fuel burnt and greenhouse gases produced to get the same amount of […]
Green Building Leeds Certification – Childcare Center These provide regulations for the design of the facility, the infrastructure required, the size required and the specific services to be provided by the child care facility.
Green Building and Green Practices Promotions One of the aspects of LCA is life cycle costing, which evaluates the financial cost of the design and maintenance of the building and is important for estimating the expenses associated with green buildings’ characteristics.
Green Building: The Impact of Humanity on the Environment A growing awareness of humanity’s impact on the environment resulted in the emergence of regulations and evaluation systems across the world. Green Globes is online-based and requires a design team and a project manager for […]
Green Building Programs Assessment Each of the initiatives evaluates the impact that buildings have on the environment as well as the way these buildings were built and how they can be disposed of in the future. The main objective […]
Australian Green Building Innovation and Ethics The field has a direct impact on the quality of life and the environment. The concepts to be discussed include the origins of the project, its impacts, and how the innovation addresses sustainability concerns.
Green Building Codes and Standards The building industry in the United States is not spared when it comes to the question of embracing the green paradigm in building and construction.
Indoor Air Quality in Green Building Movement To check the hypothesis it is necessary to consider such issues as the history of green building, the impact of green building on environment and people’s health, the importance of the high indoor air quality […]
Green Industrial Cities’ Designing A green environment includes the geographical area and the natural state that has not yet been developed and development must not negatively impact the existing infrastructure and the environment.
Green Building in the Boston Area On the whole, this project illustrates how innovative technologies and creative decisions of the architects can improve the sustainability of buildings.
Green Design: Sustainable Landscaping and Garden Design The perfect designing of sustainable landscapes in the urban centers has led to efficient use of land in cities and the surrounding regions.
Green Building in the United Arab Emirates Consequently, the government in the United Arab Emirates resolved for the implementation of better and advanced construction strategies that would ensure energy was conserved therefore providing a solution to the increased rate of pollution that […]
Green Buildings Impact on the Environment The most outstanding benefit of green buildings is the reduction in wastes and this is something that other developments have not taken care of.
Green Buildings and Indoor Air Quality The idea of “green buildings” has in many ways helped enhance indoor air quality.”Green buildings” are made possible by designing and constructing buildings which have high quality of indoor air as one of their major […]
The Use of Green Materials for Sustainable Buildings Green materials used on the sustainable buildings reduce the environmental hazardous impacts such as the global warming effects, depletion of resources, and toxicities.
Business Opportunities and the Future of Green Building Constructions
Analysis of Business Plans About Green Building
Can Green Building Councils Serve as Third Party Governance Institutions?
Comparing Green Building Rating and Sustainable Building Rating Construction
Water Ecological Aspects in Developing a Quantitative Climatic Model of Green Building
Encouraging L.E.E.D. Green Building Technology
Ethical and Sustainability Issues in Green Building
Explicating Mechanical and Electrical Knowledge for Design Phase of Green Building Projects
Adoption and Impact of L.E.E.D.-Based Green Building Policies at the Municipal Level
Fire Risk Analysis and Fire Prevention Management Optimization for Green Building Design
Global Green Building Materials Market: Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Forecast
Linking Green Building, Advertising, and Price Premium
Green Buildings Affect the Environment Construction
The Relationships Between Green Building and Sustainability
Analysis of Green Building and Sustainable Construction
Linking Green Building and Zero Energy Trends
Overview and Analysis of Benefits of Green Building
Green Building Construction From an Accounting Perspective
Mapping the Green Building Industry: How Local Are Architects and General Contractors
Green Building Councils: Their Economic Role as Governance Institutions
Property Tax Assessment Incentive for Green Building: Energy Saving Based-Model
Green Building Evaluation From a Life-Cycle Perspective in Australia
The Potential for Transformative Change in the Green Building Sector
Green Building Laws and Incentives Provided by NY City and State
Overview of Singapore’s Green Building Program
Green Building Occupant Satisfaction: Evidence From the Australian Higher Education Sector
State Environmental Policies: Analyzing Green Building Mandates
Green Building: Passive House or Zero Energy Building
Strategies for Promoting Green Building Technologies Adoption in the Construction Industry
Green Building Pro-environment Behaviors: Are Green Users Also Green Buyers
Sustainable Construction: Green Building Design and Delivery
Green Building Project Management: Obstacles and Solutions for Sustainable Development
Benefits and Barriers to Promoting Bamboo as a Green Building Material in China
Green Building Research: Current Status and Future Agenda
The Market for Green Building In Developed Asian Cities
Green Building: Taking Advantage of All Natural Resources
The Pros and Cons of Green Building
Thermal Eco-Cities: Green Building and Urban Thermal Metabolism
Understanding Green Building Construction in Singapore
Using Green Building and Energy Efficient Resources
Can Green Building Councils Serve as Third-Party Governance Institutions?
What Is Green Building?
What Does Green Building Construction Look Like From an Accounting Point of View?
What Are the Business Opportunities and the Future of Green Architecture Structures?
What Are the Ethical and Sustainability Issues in Green Building?
How Are Mechanical and Electrical Knowledge Used in the Design Phase of Green Building Projects?
How Do Green Buildings Affect the Environment?
What Is the Relationship Between Green Architecture and Sustainability?
What Is the Connection Between Green Building Trends and Zero Energy Consumption?
What Is Green Building Industry Mapping?
What Are the Green Building Councils?
What Is the Green Building Practice Plan?
How Are Green Building and Energy Efficiency Resources Used Together?
What Is Green Building College?
What Is the Property Tax Incentives for Green Building?
What Does the NYC Green Building Initiative Look Like?
What Materials Are Used for Green Architecture?
What Resources Are Used for Green Building?
What Is Rethinking the Socio-Technical Transformations of Green Entrepreneurship?
What Is Green Building Aimed At?
Chicago (A-D)
Chicago (N-B)

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Green Building: Concept, Features, Standards, Benefits and Drawbacks

Introduction to Green Building-

The design, construction, operation, and maintenance of buildings normally require enormous amounts of energy, water, and raw materials, generating large quantities of waste and causing air and water pollution.

Whereas green building is the only answer through creating healthier and more resource-efficient models of construction, renovation, operation, and maintenance.

Green Architecture and sustainable buildings are considered a modern trend in architectural thinking which manipulates the relationship between the building and the environment.

Generally, office buildings are one of the highest types of buildings in energy consumption compared to other building types.

So it’s very important for an architect to implement specific strategies in order to decrease energy consumption, especially in this type of building, by using renewable energy sources such as solar energy, wind energy, and other sources which contribute to electric energy rationalization.

What is Green Building?

A Green building or sustainable building is a structure which is designed, constructed, operated, or reused in an ecological and energy-efficient manner.

Concept of Green Buildings-

The concept of Green building integrates a variety of strategies during the period of Design, Construction, Maintenance, and Operation of buildings.

Construction is an element of civilization which is increasing continuously and thereby requires lots of natural or manmade materials to fulfill the demand.

Manufacturing of construction materials like Cement, Conventional brick, steel, etc.

These materials produce a large amount of CO2 and other greenhouse gases which are hazardous or toxic in nature and cause environmental and health-related problems.

So it is today’s demand to acquire good construction practice and energy efficient material which helps in less production of greenhouse gases and save energy.

Principle of Green Buildings-

The green building design process begins with a deep understanding of the site in all its beauties and complexities.

An ecological approach to design aims to integrate the systems being introduced with the existing on-site ecological functions performed by nature.

These ecological functions provide habitat, respond to the movements of the sun, purify the air as well as catch, filter, and store water.

Designers can create features in their buildings that represent the functions of particular ecosystems. Species that thrive in natural ecosystems may also utilize habitats created in man-made structures.

Creating new habitats on structures in urbanized areas is especially important to support bio-diversity and a healthy ecosystem.

The objective is to evolve a strategy to reduce the energy used in buildings so as to reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions into the earth’s atmosphere.

The concept of Green Buildings envisions a new approach to saving water, energy, and material resources in the construction and maintenance of buildings and can reduce or eliminate the adverse impact of buildings on the environment and occupants.

Design considerations of Green building Results in Reduced site disturbance, Wastewater management, and Stormwater management.

Landscape and Exterior Design to reduce heat islands, Light Pollution Reduction, and Reduced Car dependence through car parking provision.

A green building is designed, constructed, and operated to minimize the total environmental impacts while enhancing user comfort and productivity.

Features of Green Building-

A green building includes environmental considerations in each stage of the building construction and focuses on the design, construction, operation, and maintenance phases.

Green buildings typically incorporate superior air quality, abundant natural light, access to views, and noise control which benefits building occupants, making these buildings better places to work or live.

Here are some most highlighted features of Green Buiding-

Air tightness and vapour barrier in building walls and surfaces
Waste reduction
Enthalpy recovery of exhaust air
Low solar heat gain coefficient of glass
Daylight-controlled lighting systems
Occupancy sensors
Water-efficient fittings
Rain-water harvesting
Materials recovery facility (MRF)
Site sustainability
Geothermal Heating and Cooling
HEPA (High-efficiency particulate arrestance)
CO 2 Controlling ventilators
VSD(Variable Speed Drives)
Use of solar panels
Solar thermal collectors
Greywater/Blackwater Recycling
Wind Turbines

1. Air tightness and vapour barrier in building walls and surfaces-

Walls that are able to keep out moisture and humidity from outside will make the building naturally cooler.

Because of this, air-conditioning systems will not have to work so hard to cool down the building and thus lowers electricity costs.

2. Waste Reduction-

Pollution control measures adopted and implemented on the project sites during construction activities, Green buildings aim to reduce the amount of material being sent to landfills during construction.

3. Enthalpy recovery of exhaust air-

A device called an enthalpy wheel recovers cooled air from the inside and uses the coolness of this “spent” air to cool fresh air from outside.

The process also dehumidifies the air from outside. This is a cost-efficient way to improve indoor air quality and lessen energy consumed by air-conditioning systems.

4. Low solar heat gain coefficient of glass-

Solar heat gain coefficient(SHGC) is the amount of solar radiation that enters through glass and is released as beat inside a building.

The lower the SHGC, the less solar heat it transmits, and the cooler the building. This also lowers electricity costs because air-conditioning systems don’t have to do all the work.

5. Daylight-controlled lighting systems-

This type of lighting system has sensors that can detect daylight. During the day, the sensor switches off the lights since there is enough light from the sun.

When the sun sets, the system will switch the lights on. This way, the use of artificial lighting during the daytime is reduced.

6. Occupancy sensors-

This lighting system only turns on when it senses people in the room. This technology can also be found in escalators that activate only when there are people riding on them.

7. Water-efficient fittings-

The latest faucets and flush mechanisms use less water to do the same thing.

8. Rain-water Harvesting-

A structure catches rainwater and then stores it in big containers. The water can then be used to water plants, flush toilets, or supply cooling towers.

9. Materials recovery facility (MRF)-

An MRF is where the building’s garbage is segregated into biodegradable, recyclable, non-recyclable, and special or hazardous waste.

Biodegradable waste can be composted and used as fertilizer for the building’s plants.

10. Vegetation-

A significant portion of the building’s unpaved area is devoted to vegetation. This helps reduce the heat urban island effect-when concrete surfaces so common in urban areas absorb heat from the sun and radiate it to the surroundings.

Plants also help absorb some rainwater which would otherwise go to sewers and drainage, later on contributing to flooding.

11. Site Sustainability-

The building’s design, construction, and operation practices should have minimum impact on ecosystems and water resources.

12. Geothermal Heating and Cooling-

The underground is an excellent heat sink in summer and an excellent heat source in winter. Geothermal heat pumps take advantage of this providing heating and cooling for buildings with a lower kWh consumption than other methods.

Indoor heating and cooling are provided normally with hydronic piping, air-handling units, and air ducts.

The geothermal heat pump uses a secondary piping circuit that goes underground, to collect or reject heat as needed.

13. HEPA (High-efficiency particulate arrestance)-

HEPA stands for high-efficiency particulate arrestance. HEPA filters are among the best available, capturing 99.97% of particles with a size of 0.3 microns or more.

These filters remove many pollutants and allergens from the air, improving indoor air quality.

14. CO 2 Controlling Ventilators-

Since human metabolism produces carbon dioxide, occupancy can be correlated with the CO 2 concentration in the air.

Ventilation can be controlled with CO 2 sensors, reducing airflow in proportion to occupancy to achieve energy savings.

15. VSD(Variable Speed Drives)-

Variable speed drives(VSD) are devices that modify the voltage and frequency supplied to a motor, allowing it to operate below-rated rpm.

VSDs are very useful in motors that drive fans and pumps since these devices are often subject to part-load conditions. They are also known as variable frequency drives (VFD).

16. Use of solar panels-

Solar panels are among the most promising building upgrades if you have plenty of rooftop areas available.

They normally come with a 10-year warranty for manufacturing defects and a 25-year warranty for energy generation, in addition to having simple maintenance needs.

The payback period of solar panels only represents a small fraction of their service life. Simple maintenance. The main requirement is keeping panel surfaces clean and free of shadows.

May be eligible for incentives from the government or utility companies.

17. Solar thermal collectors-

Solar radiation is used directly for domestic hot water instead of electricity generation. With this building upgrade, you can rely less on your gas-fired water heater.

There may be a slight pumping cost in taller buildings since water has to reach the rooftop, but it is much less than the ongoing cost of a water heater.

However, Solar thermal collectors also harness sunlight.

18. Greywater/Blackwater Recycling-

The concepts of greywater and blackwater are used to describe water that has already been used in plumbing fixtures.

Blackwater includes water from all fixtures, while greywater excludes the water discharged from toilets.

Although greywater is polluted with cleaning agents and grease, it can be collected and reused for purposes such as flushing toilets or outdoor watering.

Blackwater can also be recycle d for some purposes, but it requires special treatment.

LED uses over 30% less power consumption than fluorescent, over 50% less than HID, and over 80% less than incandescent.

LED also Reduced the cooling load for AC and refrigeration equipment. LEDs have a Long service life and almost no maintenance is required.

20. Wind Turbines-

A single wind turbine results in a lower cost per kilowatt. Electricity generation is enhanced with a taller tower since airflow is more stable as height increases.

Smaller turbines are closer to the ground and susceptible to the turbulence caused by trees and constructions.

Electricity savings, zero generation cost after the payback period. May be eligible for incentives from the government or utility companies.

Green Building Materials used in Construction-

The materials used while constructing a green building are listed and described below-

Earthen Materials
Engineered Wood
Structural insulated panels (SIPs)
Insulated Concrete Forms
Slate Roofing
Natural Fiber
Polyurethane
Natural Clay
Non-VOC Paints
Natural Fiber Floor
Fiber Cement
Triple-Glazed Windows
Paper Insulation
Compressed Earth Brick Block
Marble slurry bricks
Ferro cement wall panels
Compressed Earth block
Sand Lime Brick

1. Earthen Materials-

Earthen materials like adobe, cob, and rammed earth are being used for construction purposes.

For good strength and durability- chopped straw, grass, and other fibrous materials, etc. are added to the earth.

Even today, structures built with adobe or cob can be seen in some remote areas.

2. Engineered Wood-

Wood is one of the most famous building materials used around the world But in the process of conversion of raw timber to wood boards and planks, most percentage of the wood may get wasted.

This wastage can also be used to make structural parts like walls, bounds, doers, etc in the form of engineered wood.

Unlike solid wood engineered wood contains different layers of wood. Usually, the middle layers are made of wood scraps, softwood, wood fibers, etc.

Bamboo is one of the most used multipurpose and durable materials used in construction. These trees grow faster irrespective of climatic conditions. So, it makes it economical as well.

They can be used to construct frames or supports, walls, floors, etc.

They provide a good appearance to the structures. Bamboo is such a promising building material for modern buildings since it is a combination of tensile strength, lightweight, and fast-growing renewable nature.

Used for framing buildings and shelters, bamboo can replace expensive and heavy imported materials and provide an alternative to concrete and rebar construction, especially in difficult-to-reach areas, post-disaster re-building, and low-income areas with access to naturally locally-sourced bamboo.

4. Structural insulated panels (SIPs)-

Structural insulated panels (SIPs) consist of two sheets of oriented strand boards or flake boards with a foam layer between them.

They are generally available in larger sizes and are used as walls for the structure.

Because of their large size, they need heavy equipment to install however, they provide good insulation.

5. Insulated Concrete Forms-

Insulated Concrete Forms Insulated concrete forms contain two insulation layers with some space in between them.

This space contains some arrangements for holding reinforcement bars, after placing reinforcement, concrete is poured into this space.

They are light in weight, fire resistant, low density, and have good thermal and sound insulation properties.

6. CordWood-

If wood is abundantly available and easily accessible to the site of construction, cordwood construction is recommended.

It requires short and round pieces of wood which are laid one above the other, width-wise, and are bonded together by a special mortar mix.

They are strong, environmentally friendly, and also give a good appearance to the structure.

7. Straw Bale-

Straw bale is another green building material which can be used as framing material for buildings because of its good insulating properties.

They can also act as soundproof materials. Non-load bearing walls of the straw bale can be used as fill material in between columns, in beams framework is recommended.

Since air cannot pass through them, straw bales also have some resistance to fire.

8. Earth Bags-

Earthbags or sandbags are also used to construct walls of a structure.

These types of structures can be seen in military bases, near banks of water resources, etc.

Generally, bags made of burlap are recommended but they may not very easily and hence. polypropylene bags are used nowadays.

9. Slate Roofing-

Slate is a naturally formed rock which is used to make tiles. Slate tiles have high durability and they are used as roofing materials.

Slate roofing is preferred when it is locally or cheaply available.

Steel roof panels and shingles are highly durable and they can be recycled again and again. So, these are the best choices for green roofing materials.

11. Thatch-

Thatch is nothing but dry straw, dry water reed, dried rushes, etc. These are the oldest roofing materials which are still in use in some remote locations of the world and even in cities for aesthetic attractions.

It is cheaply available for roofing and is a good insulator too.

12. Composites-

Roof panels made of composite materials such as foam or cellulose layer sandwiched between two metal sheets or two plastic sheets also come under green building materials.

They are light in weight, inexpensive and provide good insulation for the structure and save energy.

13. Natural Fiber-

Natural fibers like cotton and wool can also be used as insulation materials. Recycled cotton fibers or wool fibers are converted into a batt and installed in preformed wooden frame sections.

14. Polyurethane-

Polyurethane foam is available in the form of spray bottles. They are directly sprayed onto the surface or wall or to which part insulation is required.

After spraying it expands and forms a thick layer which hardens later on. They offer excellent insulation and prevent leakage of air.

15. Fiber Glass-

Fiberglass is also used for insulation purposes in the form of fiberglass batts.

Even though it contains some toxic binding agents, because of its super insulation property at low cost it can be considered a green building material.

16. Cellulose-

Cellulose is a recycled product of paper waste and it is widely used around the world for insulation purposes in structure.

It acts as a good sound insulator and is available for cheap prices in the market.

Cork is also a good insulator. Boards or panels made of cork are available in markets. A great amount of electrical energy can be saved by corkboard insulation in winter.

These corkboards are also good for sound insulation.

18. Natural Clay-

Plastering of walls can be done using natural clay rather than other gypsum-based plasters. Natural clay plaster with proper workmanship gives a beautiful appearance to the interior.

19. Non- VOC Paints-

Non-VOC paint or green paint is recommended over VOC-containing paints.

The presence of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in paint reacts with sunlight and nitrogen oxide resulting in the formation of ozone which can cause severe health problems for the occupants.

If non-VOC paint is not available then paint with very low-VOC content in it is preferable.

20. Natural Fiber Floor-

Naturally occurring materials like bamboo, wool, cotton fiber carpets, cork, etc. can be used for flooring purposes.

21. Fiber Cement-

Fiber cement boards are made of cement, sand, and wood fibers. For exterior siding, fiber cement boards are a good choice because of their cheap price, good durability, and good resistance against fire.

Stone is a naturally occurring and long-lasting building material. Some Stone structures built hundreds of years ago are still in existence without much abrasion.

Stones are good against weathering hence they can be used to construct exterior walls, steps, exterior flooring, etc.

23. Triple Glazed Window-

It is a super efficient material that stops heat to enter the building from direct sunlight.

24. Paper Insulation-

Made from recycled newspapers and cardboard which is insect resistant and fire retardant.

25. Solar Ties-

Act as a protective covering for buildings and spend a large portion of the day absorbing energy.

26. Compressed Earth Brick Block-

Use to construct a building that is aesthetic, efficient, and easy to build. Energy efficient excellent surface finish Cost efficient technology plastering is not required good thermal insulation.

27. Marble Slurry Bricks-

Use for walling as an alternative to conventional clay bricks these are energy efficient high volume utilization of wash stronger than clay bricks, fire resistant basic high load bearing capacity.

28. Ferro cement wall panels-

Use for walling is particularly suitable where speedy construction is required. These are energy-efficient, cost-effective technology regularity in shape and size components that can be retrieved for construction.

29. Compressed Earth block-

It is a highly compressed earth block or brick. These bricks are mechanically pressed with a pressure of about 3,000 psi at this pressure original volume of soil reduces by about half.

Compressive earth blocks are inexpensive and best for non-load-bearing structures. A coat of Polycarbonate varnish is required to avoid erosion due to wet weather.

30. Sand Lime Brick-

Sand lime brick is a pressed brick made of 90% sand and 10% hydrated lime and kept in an autoclave for steam curing.

These bricks are of uniform shape and size which requires less mortar for masonry.

Standards of Green Buiding-

Standards for Green Buildings Four of the largest and most recognized green labeling programs are:

Energy Star
Green Globe

Each are administered by different organizations, has its own rating criteria, and focuses most heavily on different issues.

By looking at all four of these, one can begin to see overlaps and shortcomings. One can begin to develop a more holistic approach to defining a truly green material.

LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system.

LEED provides third-party verification that a community or building was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performances in energy savings, water efficiency, CO 2 emissions/ reductions, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impact.

Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED provides a framework for implementing measurable green building design, construction, operations, and maintenance solutions.

It works throughout the building lifecycle. Certification is achieved through the third-party independent Green Building Certification Institute.

LEED Rating Systems are applicable to-

New Construction
Existing Buildings- Operations + Maintenance
Commercial Interiors
Core and Shell
Neighborhood
Development

2. Energy Star-

A government-backed organization focusing on improving energy efficiency, a dministered by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy.
Standards for Energy Star-rated buildings are set by the EPA. Their motto is “Energy efficiency comes first”.
Founded in 1992, Energy Star began as a labeling program that only rated consumer products.
Products like household appliances and air conditioning units with the Energy Star label now save between twenty and thirty percent of energy.

3. Green Globe-

A guidance and assessment program that offers realistic and achievable ways to increase the sustainability of commercial buildings, Administered by the Green Building Initiative in the US.

The most important components of the Green Globe program are:

Comprehensive environmental assessment protocol
Software tools that speed and ease online assessment
Best practices guidance for green construction and operations
Experienced green building assessors

4. Green Seal-

A non-profit, third-party certifier and standards development party.

The largest US-based ecolabelling organization The U.S. member of GEN (Global Ecolabelling Network), which consists of 26 of the world’s leading ecolabelling programs.

Develops standards from green cleaning products to lodging Green Seal uses life cycle assessment, evaluating products from raw materials extraction to manufacturing and use to disposal or recycling.

If a product meets Green Seal standards, it will be awarded the Green Seal. This organization works with the marketplace in an effort to create a “more sustainable world”.

How Can We Make Our Buildings Green-

There are a number of ways to make a building green. These include:

Taking an intelligent approach to energy
Safeguarding water resources
Minimizing waste and maximizing reuse
Promoting health and wellbeing

1. Taking an intelligent approach to energy-

Minimizing energy use in all stages of a building’s life-cycle, making new and renovated buildings more comfortable and less expensive to run, and helping building users learn to be efficient too.
Integrating renewable and low-carbon technologies to supply buildings’ energy needs, once their design has maximized inbuilt and natural efficiencies.

2. Safeguarding Water Resources-

Exploring ways to improve drinking and wastewater efficiency and management, harvesting water for safe indoor use in innovative ways, and generally minimizing water use in buildings.
Considering the impact of buildings and their surroundings on stormwater and drainage infrastructure, ensuring these are not put under undue stress or prevented from doing their job.

3. Minimizing waste and maximizing reuse-

Using fewer, more durable materials and generating less waste, as well as accounting for a building’s end-of-life stage by designing for demolition waste recovery and reuse.
Engaging building users in reuse and recycling.

4. Promoting Health and well-being-

Bringing fresh air inside, delivering good indoor air quality through ventilation, and avoiding materials and chemicals that create harmful or toxic emissions.
Incorporating natural light and views to ensure building users’ comfort and enjoyment of their surroundings, and reducing lighting energy needs in the process.
Designing for ears as well as eyes. Acoustics and proper sound insulation play important roles in helping concentration, recuperation, and peaceful enjoyment of a building in educational, health, and residential buildings.
Creating the right indoor temperature through passive design or building management and monitoring.
Recognizing that the urban environment should preserve nature, and ensuring diverse wildlife and land quality are protected or enhanced, by remediating and building on polluted land or creating new green spaces.
Looking for ways we can make our urban areas more productive, bringing agriculture into our cities.
Adapting to our changing climate, ensuring resilience to events such as f flooding, earthquakes, or fires so that our buildings stand the test of time and keep people and their belongings safe.
Designing flexible and dynamic spaces, anticipating changes in their use over time, and avoiding the need to demolish, rebuild or significantly renovate buildings to prevent them from becoming obsolete.
Creating diverse environments that connect and enhance communities, asking what a building will add to its context in terms of positive economic and social effects, and engaging local communities in planning.
Ensuring transport and distance to amenities are considered in the design, reducing the impact of personal transport on the environment, and encouraging environmentally friendly options such as walking or cycling.
Exploring the potential of both ‘smart’ and information communications technologies to communicate better with the world around us. For example smart electricity grids that understand how to transport energy where and when it is needed.
Seeking to lower environmental impacts and maximize social and economic value over a building’s whole life-cycle (from design, construction, operation, and maintenance, through to renovation and eventual demolition).
Ensuring that embodied resources, such as the energy or water used to produce and transport the materials in the building are minimized so that buildings are truly low impact.

Advantages of Green Buildings-

Here are some major benefits of Green Buildings-

Environmental Benefits-

Reduced operational energy
Reduced water requirement
The lesser volume of wastewater generation
Resulting in lesser water pollution
Less material usage Longer building life
Lower maintenance costs use less natural resources as compared to a normal building

Economical Benefits-

Green buildings are generally costlier than normal buildings but only at the initial stage while the overall costs are much lesser than the normal buildings
They consume less resources and improve the productivity of occupants
Green buildings also entail higher real estate value.
Incentives are also given by local government bodies in order to achieve a sustainable future
Cost savings on utility bills for tenants or households (through energy and water efficiency)
Lower construction costs and higher property value for building developers.

Social Benefits-

Green building benefits go beyond economics and the environment and have been shown to bring positive social impacts too.

Many of these benefits are around the health and well-being of people who work in green offices or live in green homes.

Green Buildings have been proven to have a positive impact on the health of residents as they provide a balanced and optimal eco-system for residents, they have a positive effect on the productivity and well-being of those who occupy the building.
Research suggests that better indoor air quality (low concentrations of CO, and pollutants, and high ventilation rates) can lead to improvements in the performance of an employee by up to 8 percent.

Disadvantages of Green Buildings-

Here are some major drawbacks of Green Buildings-

High implementing costs.
Lack of information.
No known alternative chemical or raw material inputs.
No known alternative process technology.
uncertainty about performance impacts and lack of human resources and skills business at a competitive company decides to adhere to strict, self-imposed pollution standards.
Since these buildings depend on the sun for energy, they need to be located in a position that will have the best sun exposure which may demand placing them opposite other neighborhood homes.
The materials to build such buildings can be hard to find especially in urban areas where preserving the environment is not the people’s first option. Shipping these materials can then cost a lot more than a standard building.
These buildings run on heat to generate power, so they are not designed for hot areas they do not have any ventilation systems, so air conditioners will be required.
One of the most common disadvantages of Green Building is the additional cost incurred. This is due to the increase in the quality of construction methods and materials used.
Apart from the initial cost of green building, finding a mortgage company or bank that offers loans for a building that is not built in the traditional way may be difficult.
The time taken to complete a green building can also be viewed as a disadvantage. Green building projects encourage the use of recycled materials and trying to source these can add to the time to complete a certain stage of the build that the contractor and client haven’t allowed for in the project.

Here are some Related Articles, you should read further-

Eco-Friendly Materials- Properties, Need, Benefits and Examples and More

Acid Rain: Definition, Formation, Causes, Effects and Controls

Global Warming – Definition, Causes, Effects, Control And Prevention

-Thank you for being with Me-

Abhishek Tiwary is a blogger by passion and a Quality Engineer by profession. He completed his B.Tech degree in the year 2017. Now working in a reputed firm. He loves to share his knowledge with others.

importance of green building essay

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Importance of Green Building

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Who is Green Built Alliance?

In the United States, buildings account for:

Environmental benefits of green building:

Economic benefits of green building:

Social benefits of green building:

Green Building Programs

Green Built Homes Certification Program

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Rating System

Green Building Resources

A comprehensive review on green buildings research: bibliometric analysis during 1998–2018

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Further analysis on China, the USA, and the UK

Baidu Search Index of “green building”

Green building development in the USA and the UK

Barriers and contradicts of green building implement

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Initial phase (1998–2007)

Quick development (2008–2015)

Differentiation phase (2016–2018)

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Importance of Green Building

Some people remain confused about what green building is and how it is helpful to both humans and the planet. We break it down for you in this article.

Environmentally Friendly

Healthier Living Conditions

Sustainable Energy Sources

Water Conservation

Saves Money

Improved Indoor Air Quality

Increase Your Home's Resale Value

Lower Utility Bills

More Productivity

Innovation and Creativity

Striving for a Better Future

Wrapping Up

By Coye Burns

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