Global Survey Shows 'Green' Construction Costs Dramatically Lower Than Believed

Survey Finds Green Costs Overestimated by 300% and a Need to Foster Zero

Net Energy Construction

    NEW YORK, Aug. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Key players in real estate and
 construction misjudge the costs and benefits of "green" buildings, creating
 a major barrier to more energy efficiency in the building sector, a new
 study by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
 reports.
     Respondents to a 1400 person global survey estimated the additional
 cost of building green at 17 percent above conventional construction, more
 than triple the true cost difference of about 5 percent. At the same time,
 survey respondents put greenhouse gas emissions by buildings at 19 percent
 of world total, while the actual number of 40 percent is double this.
     The findings are disclosed in a new report titled "Energy Efficiency in
 Buildings: Business Realities and Opportunities," which summarizes the
 first phase of the WBCSD's project. The project is co-chaired by Lafarge
 and United Technologies Corporation. Other participating companies are
 CEMEX, DuPont, Electricite de France, Gaz de France, Kansai, Philips, Sonae
 Sierra, and Tepco. The report is available at www.wbcsd.org
     "The global construction boom in the developing world has created a
 tremendous opportunity to build differently and dramatically decrease
 otherwise energy demands," said United Technologies Corporation Chairman
 and Chief Executive George David.
     "Existing technologies combined with common sense design can increase
 energy efficiency by 35 percent and reduce heating costs by 80 percent for
 the average building in industrialized markets," he said.
     "The world is undergoing rapid transformation, with strong demographic
 and economic growth driving a move towards urbanization on an unprecedented
 scale. We as industry leaders have a responsibility to ensure that this
 growth is achieved in a sustainable manner," said Bruno Lafont, Chairman
 and Chief Executive Officer of Lafarge.
     "Life cycle analysis shows that 80% to 85% of the total energy
 consumption and CO2 emissions of a building comes from occupancy through
 heating, cooling, ventilation, and hot water use. If we want to make an
 impact on climate change, we therefore need to tackle this challenge.
 Combining the right materials when designing a building envelope can
 greatly reduce a building's energy requirements, increase its life span and
 ensure consistent performance over time," he said.
     "In order to achieve a step change in energy efficiency in buildings,
 there is a need for strongly supportive policies and regulatory frameworks.
 Governments and local authorities need to develop sound policies," said
 Bjorn Stigson, President of the World Business Council for Sustainable
 Development.
     The study also found that fewer than one in seven industry respondents
 has participated directly in a green building project. Involvement ranges
 from a high of 45 percent in Germany to just 5 percent in India. About 20
 percent of architects, engineers and developers have been involved in green
 building projects, compared to just 9 percent of owners and tenants.
     Buildings already represent approximately 40 percent of primary energy
 use globally and energy consumption in buildings is projected to rise
 substantially in the world's most populous and fast growing countries such
 as China and India.
     The study highlights opportunities to promote green building know how
 and technologies as the WBCSD pushes for zero net energy construction
 worldwide. Zero net energy buildings will reduce demand by design, be
 highly efficient and generate at least as much energy as they consume.
     The WBCSD's Energy Efficiency in Buildings Project is a three-year
 initiative to assess the environmental impacts of buildings and develop
 means to achieve zero net energy use for residential and commercial
 buildings.
     Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the WBCSD is a global association
 of about 200 companies that serves as a business advocate for sustainable
 development through economic growth, ecological balance, and social
 progress. Its members are drawn from more than 35 countries and 20 major
 industrial sectors worldwide. For more information, visit www.wbcsd.org.
     United Technologies Corporation, based in Hartford, Connecticut, is a
 diversified company providing high technology products and services to the
 building and aerospace industries. For more information, visit www.utc.com.
     Lafarge, based in Paris, France, is the world leader in building
 materials, with top ranking positions in all of its businesses: cement,
 aggregates & concrete, and gypsum. For more information, visit
 www.lafarge.com.
 
 

SOURCE World Business Council for Sustainable Development