Buildings consume vast quantities of energy and natural resources, contributing significantly to global climate change [1,2]. Green buildings offer a solution by decreasing carbon emissions and resource use through reduced resource consumption in building related activities [3,4].
Architectural designs that take advantage of environmental forces such as airflow and sunlight help reduce dependence on electricity for heating and cooling needs. Furthermore, materials sourced locally help boost local economies while protecting shared resources.
Energy
Buildings account for an enormous proportion of global carbon dioxide emissions, energy usage and water usage – making them an excellent target for sustainability improvements. Green buildings utilize design strategies that minimize environmental harm while simultaneously improving cost efficiency of structures.
Reusing, recycling and using sustainable materials during construction projects helps minimize waste disposal to landfill. Green buildings also promote rainwater collection and stormwater management to lower runoff pollution levels and decrease runoff pollution levels.
Saving energy can have multiple advantages; not only is it good for the planet, but it can also save money and increase comfort levels for residents. Program thermostats and multizone HVAC systems enable optimal energy use.
Renewable energy sources like solar panels and geothermal heating help protect buildings from fluctuating energy prices, with insulation, cooling systems that utilise the earth’s stable temperature, smart grid technology and sensors detecting when lights or devices are no longer being used saving additional energy costs. Furthermore, low maintenance exterior materials like fiber cement siding and composite decking require less painting and touch ups than their counterparts.
Water
As freshwater supplies are limited worldwide, green buildings employ water efficiency measures to preserve this essential resource. This can be accomplished through reduced consumption levels, rainwater harvesting systems and greywater recycling systems that offer alternative water sources.
With one quarter of freshwater basins already being polluted, building owners should take steps to minimize energy, water and waste production in their buildings to protect the environment while lessening strain on community resources and services.
Green buildings use less material and prioritize eco-friendly, recycled products in order to minimize energy used for manufacturing, transport and installation processes as well as for heating/running appliances. By doing so, they also minimize their embodied energy requirements as well as operating energy requirements for heating/running appliances.
Low-flow fixtures and appliances also contribute to water conservation efforts, while using native or drought-tolerant plants in landscaping can further lower outdoor water consumption and pollution levels. Furthermore, such strategies help decrease stormwater runoff.
Materials
Sustainable building materials help minimize their impact on our environment. Eco-friendly options typically come from renewable or recycled sources, consume minimal energy during production, and can easily be recycled or composted after their useful lifespan is complete.
Use of green building materials also contributes to creating a healthy indoor environment. Traditional building materials may emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can be detrimental to human health; green materials typically emit lower VOC levels while helping regulate moisture levels thereby preventing mold and mildew growth.
Sustainable lumber harvesting uses less energy than other wood types and stores carbon both during its lifespan and as long-term building material, providing a climate positive solution. Innovative construction techniques like ICF can further lower energy costs while contributing to environmentally responsible buildings.
Indoor Air Quality
Green buildings reduce indoor air pollution by using less fossil fuel for heating and cooling, thus decreasing CO2 emissions which contribute to climate change and outdoor pollution. Furthermore, these buildings prioritize fresh air intake systems to remove pollutants from breathing areas for building occupants as well as materials which release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or other chemicals into the atmosphere.
Poor indoor air quality can produce various symptoms, from eye and throat irritation to headaches and fatigue, even long-term illnesses like respiratory diseases and cancer.
Recent research compared the IAQ of Green buildings with conventional ones, measuring comfort parameters like temperature and relative humidity as well as pollutants such as carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, particulate matter, volatile organic compounds and phthalates. Although green homes had better IAQ than conventional ones, the difference was not statistically significant due to small sample size of this research and wide variations between pollutant concentrations between buildings of each type.