Green buildings help reduce negative impacts on the natural environment by using less water, energy and other natural resources; by using renewable energy sources and green materials; and by reducing emissions and other waste. This is the most important benefit of green building. It has a positive influence on our climate and the ecosystem in general by reducing the use of water and energy sources that pollute our environment, such as carbon and carbon dioxide that are discharged into the atmosphere. Green construction not only reduces water waste, but it can also contribute to enriching water reserves, conserving natural resources, defending biodiversity and improving air and water quality.
Green construction also reduces the carbon footprint by producing less waste and reducing the amount of toxic gases released into the air. In this way, buildings can contribute positively to saving our environment and slowing down the pace of climate change. Indoor spaces with green walls, vertical gardens, or potted plants can reduce noise levels, helping occupants to focus on their work. Permeable outdoor surfaces, such as soil, rockwool and vermiculite, and plants on roofs and patios of buildings reduce echoes.
A study by the Australian Green Building Council found that, by adding green walls, ceilings and other energy-efficient interventions, such as the use of LED lights, the addition of more windows to increase the amount of natural light and the modification of ventilation systems to recover heat rather than expelling it outside, a building with green certification produces 62 percent less greenhouse gas emissions than an average Australian building. Buildings with green roofs, green walls, green interior decoration, or those surrounded by green infrastructure are considered green buildings. Green buildings promote the use of materials with lower environmental and ecological loads. The self-sufficient nature of green buildings (natural light, off-grid electricity, site water use) should reduce a wide range of liabilities, and the general location of sites should reduce the risks of property loss due to natural disasters.
For example, green buildings tend to be healthier for occupants, which should be reflected in health insurance premiums. By reducing water use, green buildings minimize the harmful effects of water use and its effects on local ecologies, such as aquatic life. Optimizing energy consumption by providing adequate comfort and reducing environmental impact is essential for achieving cities with cleaner air and sustainable neighborhoods and green buildings. The hotel also purchased GREEN POWER REC, which allows projects to finance the production of renewable energy from the certified company Green-e.
In the United States, buildings account for 39 percent of total energy use, 12 percent of total water consumption, 68 percent of total electricity consumption, and 38 percent of carbon dioxide emissions (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2011). The advantages of green construction go far beyond finance and the ecosystem; they benefit people on a social level. Several studies show a positive relationship between green building elements and the increase in worker productivity. The study suggested that contact with nature and sunlight can improve emotional functioning (positive emotions that lead to worker satisfaction) and that the ecological characteristics of buildings, such as indoor and outdoor relaxation areas with vegetation and views, are likely to improve social interactions and a sense of belonging.
ESD-Ltd is an Israeli consulting firm that dedicates its best efforts to taking advantage of the greening of the intensively growing Israeli real estate market. .
