The Business Case for Green Buildings

Posted by Mark Maddalina

The business case for green buildings rests on five legs: economics, risk management, marketing, government relations and employee relations. Most people look only at the economic benefit of savings on energy costs, neglecting the mounting evidence that green buildings return higher rents, offer faster letting, secure greater occupancy and generate higher resale value.

In an economic environment where quality is foremost, green buildings offer higher quality at modest additional cost. Green buildings also reduce a variety of risk factors, including marketing, financing and securing political authorization to develop. They also offer greater public relations and marketing benefits, assistance with stakeholder relations and, perhaps most importantly, provide a positive story to tell to employees of development firms, thereby aiding in recruiting and retaining key employees. While the economic slowdown and global financial crisis is likely to affect overall commercial construction significantly in 2009 and 2010, the green building movement is likely to continue to gain market share over the next five years.

Download the Business Case for Green Buildings (PDF 140KB)

Courtesy of: The Yudelson Associates