Building
Worldwide, buildings account for about 40 percent of energy use[1] and 21 percent of carbon emissions.[2] In 1999, there were over 4.7 million office buildings in the US, with an additional 170,000 added every year.[3] These buildings represent 36 percent of the nation's total energy use, emitting 30 percent of US greenhouse gas emissions.[4] In many places, especially cities, buildings are responsible for a higher percentage of environmental impacts (about 80 percent of New York City's carbon emissions).[5]
But energy consumption isn't the only concern for building owners. Commercial, residential, and educational buildings alike use a significant portion of fresh water—approximately 20 percent of the total water drawn from fresh sources every day. Reducing this amount by a mere 10 percent would save over 2 trillion gallons of fresh water annually.[6]
Given that buildings have such an enormous impact on carbon emissions and water use, constructing, retrofitting, and maintaining eco-friendly structures that conserve natural resources is vital.
Questions to get you started...
- Do you own or lease the office space?
- Do you pay for energy or does the landlord pay? Does your company pay for water?
- Are you responsible for any property or facility management? If so, what?
- Does your building have an energy management system to track energy use and reduce energy costs?
- Have you been tracking water use? If so, what’s your office’s annual use of water? (gal/year)
- Do you have a way to track waste?
External links
- Global Green USA - Green Building Resource Center
- Friends Committee on National Legislation - FCNL's Renovated Green Building on Capitol Hill: Check out the interactive green building diagram for some inspiration.
- US Environmental Protection Agency - Green Building
- Environmental Defense - Innovations Review 2008: Real Estate
- US Green Building Council - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
- US Department of Energy's Smart Communities Network - Green Buildings Introduction
Footnotes
- World Business Council for Sustainable Development - Energy Efficiency in Buildings
- CSRwire.com - Real Estate Industry Quietly Embracing Green Development, Progressive Investor Reports
- US Environmental Protection Agency - Buildings and the Environment: A Statistical Summary
- US Green Building Council - Why Build Green?
- NYC.gov - Mayor Bloomberg and University Officials Announce Commitment by Universities to Exceed PlaNYC Emissions Reductions Goal and Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions 30 percent by 2017
- ENERGY STAR - Buildings & Plants: The First Step to Improving Building Water Efficiency
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