The following is a guest post by Harvey M. Bernstein, Vice President of Industry Insights & Alliances, McGraw-Hill Construction and John Mandyck, Chief Sustainability Officer for United Technologies Climate, Controls & Security
Our buildings usually keep us safe and comfortable, but sometimes their design and operation can also contribute to significant public health challenges, including obesity, asthma, physical inactivity and chronic disease. Dr. Matt Trowbridge thinks that thoughtful, evidence-based design can help make our built environment part of the solution, contributing to better public health outcomes. He calls this idea “green health.”
It’s no secret that business as usual is changing: A Deloitte study found that 90 percent of companies have set goals for their electricity and energy management practices. Two-thirds of CFOs are involved in their company’s sustainability strategies.
Legislation is an important driver of green building adoption in the real estate sector. But while the pace and strength of legislation is affected by the volatility of policy making, there is a another force in green building investment quietly happening everyday, driven by the capital market.
Even though the London Olympics just ended, preparation for the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro has begun. For most people, the Olympics stand for astonishing displays of athleticism, outstanding sportsmanship and national pride. Most people might not think past the events and the medal counts. But for host cities, the Olympics are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reinvent themselves, to boost their local and regional economies and to set a forward-thinking example of sustainability for the rest of the globe.
Each year, Greenbuild offers attendees more than 150 educational opportunities.
Beyond the practical learning and CEU credits, however, it’s the exchange of ideas, casual dialogue and new expo products that spark excitement and inspiration among attendees.
Each year, Greenbuild offers attendees more than 150 educational opportunities.
Beyond the practical learning and CEU credits, however, it’s the exchange of ideas, casual dialogue and new expo products that spark excitement and inspiration among attendees.
Each year, Greenbuild offers attendees more than 150 educational opportunities.
Beyond the practical learning and CEU credits, however, it’s the exchange of ideas, casual dialogue and new expo products that spark excitement and inspiration among attendees.
Green construction starts have increased by 50% in the past two years, and now represent 25% of all new construction today, according to a study by McGraw Hill. Green and sustainable construction initially had a slow start for the hospitality industry, but now seem to be gaining momentum. Today, there are 141 LEED-certified hotels and nearly 1,200 more that are registered with the intent to certify upon completion.
It’s a great time to be an existing building.
First: President Obama released last year’s Better Buildings Initiative, focusing financing opportunities on commercial retrofits.
Then: USGBC reported that LEED for Existing Buildings project square footage surpassed new construction projects.