In short, yes there is a growing demand for more sustainable buildings. But, there is always a "but." For starters, the United Kingdom Green Building Council's (UKGBC) 2019 Advancing Net Zero Study indicated that a green building could range from 6% to 17% higher in upfront cost to build than a standard building. The additional upfront cost is probably the most significant barrier to why most owners hesitate when deciding to build green. However, efficient buildings can have a long-term return on investments over an extended period through lower energy and operation costs.
Every day, climate change and the need to curb carbon emissions are growing global concerns. When asked about sustainable building trends, Kalvin Sabel, a Project Manager at C.D. Smith and expert in MEP systems, shares, "Absolutely, the sustainability trend seems to have transitioned from a unique minority group to the majority over the last couple of years. As a result, more building owners' and occupants' mindsets have shifted from a first cost to a long-term impact when selecting MEP systems and building materials."
As technology advances in constructing sustainable buildings and the access to sustainable materials and equipment increases, the affordability gap will shrink, reducing upfront cost while adding long-term value. More sustainable suppliers are entering the market, balancing the supply and demand chain for sustainable materials and equipment.
However, it won't only be consumer demand driving sustainable construction. Policy changes will play a significant factor in driving the market. Government policies and regulations aimed at curbing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 will affect the construction industry dramatically. As a result, building codes and requirements for new building construction or renovation projects are likely to change over the next ten years.
Whether the demand for more sustainable buildings is because of shifts in building owners' mindset or policy change, the demand is growing.
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Our corporate headquarters represents how we've set the next-generation standard for high-performance building design, construction and operations. We're proud of the sustainable design and construction that went into our new headquarters. Discover more by going to our website's OUR SUSTAINABILITY page to see how we're living green with LEED gold.
