The benefits of well planned, constructed and cared for green buildings are nearly endless.  Green buildings provide: durability; reduce costs for energy, water, operations and upkeep; less impact on the environment; improved resident health and productivity; and the potential for greater occupant satisfaction than standard developments.

The green built environment has a strong impact on the natural environment, health, and the economy.  Adopting a green building approach can maximize both economical and environmental performance. Green building techniques can be added at any stage of the development process -- from design and construction, to renovation and demolition. However, the most significant benefits can be obtained if the design and construction team takes a green approach from the very beginning of construction.  Specifically, the benefits of green building include:

Environmental benefits

• Enhance and protect biodiversity and ecosystems
• Improve air and water quality
• Reduce waste streams
• Conserve and restore natural resources

Economic benefits

• Reduce costs of day to day operations
• Create, expand, and help form green commerce
• Improve productivity of residents
• Optimize economic performance

Social benefits

• Enhance resident comfort and health
• Amplify aesthetic values
• Minimize strain on local road and rail network
• Improve overall quality of life

A green building may cost more to start, but they save a great deal of money over the life of the building through lower operating costs. These savings may be more apparent through life-cycle assessment (LCA).

Perhaps surprisingly, a well-constructed green building often costs little or no more to build than a comparably-sized building using traditional materials and techniques.  Integrated design processes that identify the most efficient, holistic approaches to building green can reduce these initial costs. Fortunately, many green products and materials cost the same or even less than conventional ones.

As a further incentive to build green, federal tax credits are available for specific energy efficiency projects in buildings, and an increasing number of states are beginning to introduce and pass legislation establishing green building tax benefits.  For more information on the tax benefits of green building, see Tax Incentives.