Green buildings yield significant operational cost savings compared with traditional buildings and produce higher asset values, according to the World Green Building Trends 2016 Smart Market Report, by Dodge Data & Analytics and United Technologies Corporation.
More than 1,000 survey participants from 69 countries said they expect a 14% savings in operational costs over five years for new green buildings, and 13% savings over five years for green retrofits and renovations. In addition, building owners say that green buildings, both new and renovated, carry a 7% increase in asset value over traditional buildings.
These findings explain why building industry professionals forecast that more than 60% of their projects will be built to green standards by 2018. They also support the notion that green leases are becoming more attractive to tenants and investors, who are willing to pay premiums for long-term benefits.
Recent studies have indicated that green workplaces also benefit the bottom line by improving employee productivity and reducing absenteeism, staff turnover, and medical costs.
Related Stories
| Oct 18, 2012
EPA commercial building lead paint rule pushed back to 2015
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's inclusion of commercial buildings in a residential lead paint rule is being delayed until 2015.
| Oct 18, 2012
Chicago pushing green roofs to reduce heat island effect
The city of Chicago has mandated that all new buildings that require any public funds must be LEED certified, usually with a green roof.
| Oct 11, 2012
OSHA launches pilot program for alternative dispute resolution on whistleblower complaints
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is launching an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) pilot program for complaints filed with OSHA's Whistleblower Protection Program.
| Oct 11, 2012
Bill promotes investment in commercial, multifamily retrofits
The Commercial Building Modernization Act recently introduced in the Senate would extend and streamline a current tax deduction to encourage commercial and multifamily residential building owners to perform comprehensive energy-efficient retrofits.
| Oct 11, 2012
Morristown, N.Y., settles code violation dispute with Amish
The town of Morristown, N.Y., has dropped charges of building code violations against local Amish communities to settle a First Amendment complaint.
| Oct 11, 2012
Mesquite, Nev., rebels against state-mandated energy code
The city council of Mesquite, Nev., voted against adopting a new energy efficiency code adopted by the state.
| Oct 11, 2012
Bloomingdale, N.J., restricts ground solar and wind energy installations
The borough of Bloomingdale, N.J., recently adopted regulations for solar-energy and wind energy systems.
| Oct 3, 2012
Bill introduced to extend home energy efficiency tax credit
A bill to extend the expired residential energy efficiency tax credit for installing qualified furnaces, boilers, central air conditioners, and heat pumps was recently filed in the U.S. House of Representatives.