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 http://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 http://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 http://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
http://www.lafarge.com.
SOURCE World Business Council for Sustainable Development
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CONTACT:
Katie Hart, +1-212-981-5241, or Curtis
Schick, +1-212-981-5261, both of Dan Klores Communications, for
World Business Council for Sustainable Development
