According to CBRE's 2017 National Green Building Adoption Index, which ranks 30 of the largest commercial office markets in the U.S. by the share of green-certified square footage, 38% of all office space in the nation's largest markets were LEED and/or ENERGY STAR certified as of 2016.
This is a slight increase from the 37% reported in 2015, but a huge jump from 2005, when less than 5% of office space was certified. The study excluded buildings and square footage of any office that failed to renew certifications after five years.
The study reported that 22 cities, the District of Columbia, two counties, and two states have implemented laws requiring privately owned buildings to disclose annual energy consumption and publish the resulting data. Most of these policies had not reached their full phase-in of reporting by January 2016, though.
Several cities have experienced an increase in the adoption of environmental building certification after passing benchmarking and transparency laws. After Kansas City’s Green Building Adoption measure was passed, certified green square footage jumped five percentage points, and Atlanta gained five points after adopting energy benchmarking and reporting regulations.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Aug 15, 2017
ASHRAE certifications recognized by DOE as meeting Better Buildings Workforce Guidelines
Two of six such certifications are ASHRAE programs.
Codes and Standards | Aug 14, 2017
New edition of AISC Steel Construction Manual now available
Includes the 2016 Specification for Structural Steel Buildings.
Codes and Standards | Aug 10, 2017
AAMA releases updated Standard Test Method for Water Penetration Using Dynamic Pressure
The update applies to windows, curtain walls, and doors.
Codes and Standards | Aug 9, 2017
UpCodes aims to make researching building codes, regulations easier through searchable app
App currently includes building codes of 40 states and New York City.
Codes and Standards | Aug 8, 2017
3D printing industry working to implement standards for products, processes
Additive Manufacturing Standardization Collective (AMSC) will develop industry-wide additive manufacturing standards and specifications.
Codes and Standards | Aug 7, 2017
Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat to create standards to measure floor area
The standards will examine existing codes and regulations to find where they are too broad or contentious.
Codes and Standards | Aug 3, 2017
ASID headquarters is first space in the world to earn both LEED and WELL Platinum Certification
Washington, D.C. office is showcase for top levels of the two standards.
Codes and Standards | Aug 2, 2017
OSHA to release web-based injury and illness reporting form on August 1st
Employers can use the application to submit forms electronically.
Codes and Standards | Aug 1, 2017
Zoning that restricts housing construction also dampens other economic development
Land use restrictions reduce U.S. GDP by 9% annually.
Codes and Standards | Jul 27, 2017
Five fire scenarios tested on full-scale mass timber building
Results will help inform code changes.