In a survey reaching over 2,000 international contractors, builders and developers, almost half said they expect to build more than 50% of their projects as a green building by 2022. This figure increased even more this year. The World Banks Blogs published an article in February 2024 showing that the demand for sustainability was growing significantly. World Bank blogger Susan Lund reports that emissions from buildings are expected to drop 23% by 2035 as more organizations invest in eco-friendly buildings.

To protect the environment while cutting down on costs, builders are turning to these seven popular green building practices in 2024.

1. Net-Zero Buildings

Many contractors are aiming to build net-zero buildings, which are buildings whose energy consumption is roughly equal to their energy output. The goal of this type of building project is to cut down on carbon emissions, water consumption and solid waste transported to landfills.

Those with plans to build a net-zero building typically look for ways to generate renewable energy on and off-site. Popular on-site generation tactics include wind turbines, solar water heating and photovoltaics. Off-site options include large-scale wind farms, solar plants, geothermal plants and hydropower facilities.

The credit offered for generating power sustainably will most likely offset the cost of building these renewable energy sites.

Net Zero buildings are more important in 2024 than ever before. In fact, the White House officially published a definition for them back in June for the first time, which helps emphasize why they are so important.

2. Climate Resiliency

With the growing concern over climate change, one of the top green initiatives is incorporating construction measures to withstand extreme weather patterns and natural disasters, typically in the form of improved infrastructure.

While many coastal cities have taken steps to relax their building codes, not strengthen them, developers are still seeking methods to go above and beyond, aiming to build stronger frames and increase weather resiliency to mitigate weather damage and cut down on insurance costs, such as claims for flood or fire damage.

3. Green Star Certification

The Green Star certification globally promotes integrated building designs which reduce environmental impact.

When a contractor goes through the certification process, their building or project receives a rating from an independent panel of sustainability experts. This rating can verify that a building or community project is a sustainable endeavor.

The rating a project receives comes from nine categories, from building design and construction to operation. Each category assesses the sustainability of a project and determines potential optimizations.

4. LEED Certification

Currently, LEED is the most widely used sustainability rating system in the world, certifying 1.85 million square feet of construction each day. Anyone can claim their building is sustainable. However, a LEED certification holds builders accountable through a structured, points-based rating system.

Earning a LEED certification comes along with many essential benefits, such as lending third-party credibility to an organization’s ability to develop a sustainable project. Not only does the certification process offer advice on the use of indoor and outdoor materials, but it also aids in reducing operational costs by encouraging the use of reduced and renewable energy sources.

This type of certification also indicates to the public where an organization’s priorities lie. It demonstrates a commitment to both sustainability and new green initiatives, building goodwill with the community as well as company stakeholders.

The number of LEED buildings is growing significantly in 2024. There are now 111,397 LEED projects and that number will likely grow over the next year.

5. Distributed Energy Systems

A distributed energy system (DES) controls generation, storage and energy monitoring solutions. Through the use of sensors, meters and actuators, the system can oversee and observe a building’s performance — including heating, cooling, lighting and more — as well as offer suggestions for cutting costs and improving reliability.

Many developers have decided to integrate a DES into their sustainable designs to take advantage of the plethora of benefits.

The benefits of a distributed energy system include:

• Reduced operational costs
• Improved energy reliability
• Reduced carbon footprint
• Additional revenue sources

Many developers have also used a DES to implement the electrification of a motor vehicle fleet, lowering costs and increasing uptime with a more reliable charging system.

6. EDGE Certification

EDGE stands for Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies, a certification which aims to increase construction efficiency in terms of energy, water, building materials and waste.

Getting started with EDGE is very simple for developers, starting with a downloadable software program which allows them to determine the ideal combination of building strategies for the best return on your investment. Upon completion of a project, whether it’s a home, office, hospital or warehouse, an independent panel of experts will audit it to determine if it meets the required standards.

Currently operating in over 130 countries, EDGE certification requires developers to commit to at least a 20 percent reduction in energy and water use as compared to a standard building.

7. Alternative Building Materials

Building and construction activities consume 3 billion tons of raw material each year globally. But this reliance on non-renewable materials has had a lasting impact on the environment and the number of available resources, meaning developers are looking for alternative materials to build with.

2024 has seen a surge in the number of builders using more sustainable methods, with common alternative materials including the following.

• Grasscrete: A technique of layering concrete flooring in a way that allows grass and flora to grow, creating a natural bio-filter and improving storm-water absorption.
• Bamboo: A cost-effective, quickly growing material that is easy to harvest, making it a sustainable material source.
• Recycled plastic: With a lifespan of 30 to 50 years, plastic is a durable and long-lasting building material.
• Wood: Use of wood absorbs carbon dioxide and requires less energy-intensive processing methods.
• Hempcrete: Made from hemp wood, water and lime, this sustainable material is durable and long-lasting.

Other alternatives to traditional building materials include papercrete, engineered wood, cob, steel frame and insulating concrete foam.

Using Green Building Practices

Green building initiatives are booming in popularity, especially with the threat of dwindling renewable resources and unpredictable climate changes. Green construction initiatives accounted for more than 3.3 million jobs in 2018 in the United States alone. That number rose to 303,500 jobs in 2024.

Industry experts also predict these new trends will heighten global awareness of green development in the years to come, leading to newly developed and more efficient sustainable initiatives.

The post The 7 Most Popular Green Building Practices in 2024 appeared first on Green Building Insider.

There are several LEED certification frameworks, and each has been developed for the needs of a different type of project:

• BD+C: Building design and construction
• O+M: Building operations and maintenance
• ID+C: Interior design and construction
• Homes
• ND: Neighborhood development

LEED certification is based on a series of credits that each award a specified number of points. In the case of new constructions and major renovations, the maximum possible score is 110. Building projects must have a score of at least 40 to be certified, and there are also three higher tiers: Silver (50+), Gold (60+) and Platinum (80+).

It is important to note that some LEED credits are mandatory for certification. A building that misses even one of the mandatory credits becomes ineligible, regardless of the score obtained.

How a LEED Score is Broken Down

As mentioned above, not all LEED credits have the same weight towards a building certification. For example, up to 6 points can be claimed for water use reduction, but there are 18 points available for energy performance. Project developers can aim for any combination of credits to certify a building, as long as the mandatory items are covered.

LEED credits are classified into eight categories, which add up 109 points. An additional point can be claimed by following an integrative process from the start of the project, bringing the maximum score to 110. The eight LEED categories and their possible points are the following:

• Location and transportation – 16
• Sustainable sites – 10
• Water efficiency – 11
• Energy and atmosphere – 33
• Materials and resources – 13
• Indoor environmental quality – 16
• Innovation – 6
• Regional priority – 4

The first six categories are equal for all projects, with a predefined list of credits. The 16 points under Location and Transportation can be earned automatically by selecting a site that is already certified under LEED for Neighborhood Development.

The innovation category grants up to 5 points for measures that reduce the impact of a building and are not covered in other categories. As their name implies, regional priority credits are based on geographic location. They cover measures that offer a particularly high benefit under local conditions.

Considering the wide range of technical areas covered, LEED certification requires a multidisciplinary effort. GBCI manages the application process for a LEED certified building, reviewing the credits for which the building is applying. Credits are awarded or denied based on the information provided, and additional information may be requested by GBCI to complete the certification process.

The Importance of Required Credits in LEED Certification

Required credits do not have a score attached to them, but they are mandatory for a LEED certified building. Note that required credits are independent from the LEED score: even if a building project earns more than 80 points, it cannot get a Platinum certification if any of the required credits was missed.

The following credits are mandatory for LEED certification in new construction and major renovations:

Depending on the type of project, additional credits may also be mandatory. For example, schools must meet all the credits in the table above, as well as an Environmental Site Assessment (Sustainable Sites) and Minimum Acoustic Performance (Indoor Environmental Quality).

When getting a LEED certification for a building, a recommended practice is aiming for a number of credits that leaves a margin of error. For example, if a developer plans for a LEED Gold certification, the project should aim well above 60 credits. That way, some credits can be rejected without bringing the project to a lower certification category.

Construction administration is also vital when a developer is working towards a LEED certification. LEED credits cover not only the finished building, but also its construction process. Even if the finished building consumes minimal amounts of water and energy, the LEED certification may be denied if the construction process was very polluting, or lacking in waste management practices.

Does a LEED Certification Offer Competitive Advantages?

Since an LEED certification demands a minimum performance level in water and energy use, the building owner can expect lower operating costs throughout the service life of the property. However, the certification also provides business benefits for developers who have tenant spaces for rent, especially in competitive markets like New York City and Chicago.

If a potential tenant is considering several spaces for rent, the LEED certification level of a building can be an important factor in the decision. Considering that the program has global recognition, using commercial spaces with a LEED certification can boost corporate image. Since the certification covers water conservation, energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality, it is associated with reduced utility bills and a human-friendly working environment.

LEED for Building Professionals

The LEED program not only offers building certification, but also professional credentials:

• The entry-level credential is called LEED Green Associate, and it requires a specified number of training hours and passing an exam.
• Professionals with advanced knowledge on green buildings can apply for the LEED Accredited Professional credential, and there is a version of LEED AP for each of the five frameworks listed above.
• Finally, a LEED Fellow is a LEED AP with an exceptional track record in the green building industry. There is no application procedure – LEED Fellows are nominated.

Although a building can be certified without a LEED AP, the process is much simpler when one of the team members has advanced knowledge on the topic. In fact, the building project earns one point in the Innovation category for having a LEED AP as a team member with a principal role.

The post What Aspects Are Considered for a LEED Certified Building? appeared first on Green Building Insider.

CBRE publishes the National Green Building Adoption Index every year. According to the 2017 National Green Building Adoption Index, the number of buildings with LEED or Energy Star has surged in recent years. In 2005, less than 5% of all businesses had this certification. That figure rose to nearly 40% by the end of last year.

The sudden demand for green businesses is an unprecedented boon for contractors. Contractors that choose to become part of the green movement stand to earn a massive payout.

Through this article, we’ll walk you through what the future may hold for this up and coming industry. Let’s now begin.

An increase in demand

Before the turn of the century, very few companies cared about LEED certification. They tended to view green contracting as an unnecessary expenditure with very small benefits to the environment and was most likely to hurt their bottom line.

In recent years, their attitude has changed precipitously. They see that their customers are more likely to support green businesses and they can save considerably over the long run. Some research has shown that green businesses can cut energy costs by an average of 25-30%. As energy availability becomes a greater concern, the number of companies that want to invest in energy saving buildings will likely surge.

As more and more businesses begin to see the benefits of green office buildings, bosses will increase the demand for green construction. Not only can green office buildings save company’s money, but they can also boost their reputation in the eyes of their customers. Energy savings aren’t the only reasons that brands are investing in green buildings. After all, it’s showing that they care enough about humanity’s future that they make an investment in ensuring the sustainability of the environment. This increased interest in green construction will result in a higher demand for the services and, eventually, a more noble effort on the part of society to make conscious, more environmentally friendly choices.

Increased popularity will lead to advancements in materials and processes

It’s no surprise that as demand for green buildings and green construction increases, so will demand for the materials required to do it. As demand increases and the industry becomes lucrative, people will want to get involved in the industry, coming up with new and more innovative ways to increase energy efficiency and productivity. Positive change begets positive change and, before you know it, these positive changes you’ve made in the effort of being green will eventually become second nature routines. This can be nothing but good for the future of our environment.

A positive change for the future

An increase in innovation and creativity focused towards the preservation of the environment is nothing but good for humanity’s future. This will help to ensure future generations inherit the best earth we can leave them. The decreased environmental impact will ensure the maximum longevity of resources for future generations. The routines put into place now, will then be second nature. The innovations of today will be the cornerstones of the advancements in environmental safety. There’s no telling how far we’ll go in the next ten to twenty years, but things are certainly advancing quickly. These advancements will help to ensure the sustainability of our resources for future generations. Environmentally friendly practices and the technological advancements they bring along with them help to instill good habits in future generations that will help to lead to a better future.

The future for green construction is wide open. With concern for the sustainability of resources high and global warming remaining ever-present, consumers care more about the environmental impact of what they’re doing, which can only be greeted with positivity. Green construction is beneficial to both the environment and the success of business. An increase in interest in green construction will just lead to further innovations in cleaner and greener ways to do things.

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