Evidence proves green buildings worth the investment
MEDIA RELEASE
Evidence proves
green buildings worth the investment
11
September 2013
For immediate release
Sustainable building no longer has to prove its economic worth – the business case more than stacks up in terms of lower operating and life cycle costs, and improved value for owners.
The Business Case for Green Building, a comprehensive report published by the World Green Building Council, shows that green construction doesn’t need to cost more than conventional building – and where there is a cost premium, energy and other savings typically more than make up for that within a reasonable payback period.
Recent New Zealand research into the construction costs of 17 Green Star buildings, has shown in general they don’t cost more than conventional buildings, with some costing as much as a third less[i].
Chief Executive of the World Green Building Council Jane Henley, will be in Auckland to talk about The Business Case for Green Building on Thursday 26 September.
The
Business Case synthesises the findings of more than
100 international peer reviewed studies and reports on green
building. Its findings include:
- the cost
premium for the majority of certified green buildings is 0%
to 4% - markedly different to the perceived cost
premium of up to 29%
- building green doesn’t
need to cost more – particularly when cost and
environmental strategies are integrated into the process
from the start
- design and construction costs
of green building globally, are trending downwards as the
industry matures.
Sustainable buildings are also proven
to have lower long-term operating costs – including
energy, water use and maintenance - and to deliver marked
improvements in staff productivity, health and wellbeing,
all of which impact positively on business bottom
lines.
Studies show productivity gains of up to 11% through better ventilation, up to 23% through better lighting, and up to 18% through views and access to the natural outdoors.
Green buildings are also shown to be more highly valued, generating higher sales prices, higher occupancy, and better returns for owners. In fact, in markets where green building is more mainstream, there is evidence of emerging ‘brown discounts’ for non-green buildings.
Jane Henley will be joined by Richard Palmer, Associate Director, WSP Built Ecology who will talk about Green Leasing - Contract and Financial Frameworks for Green Buildings.
“This report synthesizes credible evidence from around the world on green buildings into one collective resource, and the evidence presented highlights that sustainable buildings provide tangible benefits and make clear business sense,” said Jane Henley, CEO of WorldGBC.
“From risk mitigation across a building portfolio and city-wide economic benefits, to the improved health and well-being of occupants, the business case for green building will continue to evolve as markets mature. Indeed we have already seen this momentum grow globally where in more and more places, green is now becoming the status quo.”
Ends
About the
World Green Building Council
The World Green
Building Council (WorldGBC) is a network of 98 national
Green Building Councils (GBCs), making it the largest
international organization influencing the green building
marketplace. GBCs are member-based organisations that
partner with industry and government to transform their
building industries through the adoption of green building
practices. GBCs create change in their local markets as a
way to globalize environmentally and socially responsible
building practices. Visit:
www.worldgbc.org