| | | | | efficiency and certifications." |
| Green Building Certification Programs | | | | Bloom adds that by 2020, about 80% of |
| Green building certification programs are becoming | | | | green-certified building space will be in the commercial |
| increasingly important tools to verify that a building | | | | building sector, up from 73% today. Within the |
| meets a set of "green" criteria including energy | | | | commercial segment, the majority of green |
| efficiency, sustainable materials selection, site location, | | | | certifications will go to existing buildings as opposed |
| and indoor environmental quality. In addition to their | | | | to new construction. In contrast, most of the focus |
| environmental benefits, certified green buildings can | | | | in the residential market is on green certification of |
| sometimes command higher property values and | | | | new properties. |
| rents, and green building certification can distinguish | | | | In addition to the well-known Leadership in Energy |
| certain properties in highly competitive real estate | | | | and Environmental Design (LEED) program in the |
| markets. According to a new report, space covered | | | | United States and the Building Research Establishment |
| by green building certification programs will increase | | | | Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) |
| from 6 billion square feet worldwide in 2010 to 53 | | | | program in the United Kingdom, there are more than |
| billion square feet by 2020. ( ) | | | | 20 established green building councils around the |
| "Green building techniques are increasingly becoming | | | | world, with more than 40 other national-scale groups |
| the standard within the architecture and construction | | | | seeking similar status in the next few years. While |
| industries," says research analyst Eric Bloom. "There | | | | LEED and BREEAM will continue to dominate the |
| are three major drivers behind green building | | | | North American and European green building markets, |
| certifications: environmental responsibility, reducing | | | | respectively, It anticipates that newly developed |
| operating expenses through energy efficiency, and | | | | programs in China and India will represent about 30% |
| regulatory requirements that mandate energy | | | | of all certified green new construction by 2020. |