Sustainability is an ongoing process rather than a one-time solution or product. Green building encompasses various aspects, including buildings, sites, interiors, operations, and the surrounding communities. It is a continuous process that spans the entire life cycle of a project, from its conception to its end, where parts are recycled or reused.
In this guide, the term green building encompasses the planning, design, construction, operation, and ultimate recycling or renewal of structures. Green building aims to achieve a healthy and balanced approach that considers environmental, social, and economic benefits.
Sustainability and "green" are often used interchangeably, but they encompass more than just reducing environmental impacts. Sustainability involves creating places that are environmentally responsible, healthy, fair, equitable, and economically viable. Greening the built environment requires a holistic approach that considers natural, human, and economic systems to find solutions that enhance the overall quality of life for everyone.
The concept of the triple bottom line is often associated with sustainability. Coined by John Elkington in his book "Cannibals with Forks: the Triple Bottom Line of 21st Century Business," it was initially applied to socially responsible businesses but can be applied to various projects in the built environment. The triple bottom line considers three types of resources:
PEOPLE (SOCIAL CAPITAL): The costs and benefits to individuals involved in the project, including designers, construction workers, residents, and the local community, both directly and indirectly impacted by the project.
PLANET (NATURAL CAPITAL): The costs and benefits of the project on the natural environment, encompassing both local and global impacts.
PROFIT (ECONOMIC CAPITAL): The economic costs and benefits of the project for all stakeholders, not just the project owner.
The goal of the triple bottom line, within the context of the built environment, is to ensure that buildings and communities generate value for all stakeholders, rather than benefiting only a select few. For example, an energy-efficient building that saves money for the owners but negatively affects the health of occupants is not sustainable. Similarly, a material with a low carbon footprint but produced under unethical labor conditions or an eco-resort that displaces endangered species or local communities would not be considered sustainable.
Committing to the triple bottom line entails looking beyond the status quo and considering the well-being of entire communities and systems, both locally and globally. It necessitates conducting research to understand the impacts of a particular project and discovering sustainable solutions. To achieve integrative and synergistic sustainable outcomes, new tools and processes are required.
The triple bottom line requires a shift in perspective regarding the costs and benefits associated with our decisions. Economists use the term "externalities" to describe costs or benefits that affect parties not directly involved in a transaction. For instance, when purchasing a car, the price does not account for the wear and tear it imposes on public roads or the pollution it emits into the environment. To address these negative externalities, building professionals need new metrics that incorporate them in the valuation process. While environmental metrics have been the primary focus in green building processes and rating systems, the scope is expanding to include indicators of social justice and public health.
Improving the health, comfort, and productivity of building occupants is particularly important considering that studies conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reveal that people in the United States spend approximately 90% of their time indoors. Occupants of green buildings experience lower levels of indoor pollutants and report higher satisfaction with air quality and lighting compared to those in conventional buildings. Research from Carnegie Mellon University demonstrates that these benefits can lead to a 2% to 16% increase in workers' and students' productivity. Even small improvements in productivity can significantly enhance the value of a building.
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