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Sustainable development

Green Building Remains a Priority for the Design and Construction Industry

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Despite the challenges faced by the design and construction industry in recent years, a new study from Dodge Data & Analytics shows that green building remains a top priority. The fourth edition of the World Green Building Trends SmartMarket Report, conducted in 2021, found that 28% of all respondents reported that most of their building projects qualified as green, and 42% anticipated being at that level within the next three years.

The study, sponsored by Carrier, Autodesk, and others, highlights the commitment of the design and construction industry to building green. The findings reveal that architects, engineers, contractors, owners, and investors from around the globe expect to engage in an increased level of green building in the next three years. This commitment is particularly notable given the current challenges facing the industry, including the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain shortages, and rising concerns about social equity.

Key Takeaways:

  • Business Benefits: Building owners and investors report, on average, 10% lower operating costs in the first year and over 16% within five years.
  • Policy: Design and construction practitioners cite the powerful influence of owner demand and environmental regulations on their engagement in green building.
  • Doing The Right Thing: Nearly one-third (31%) cite social reasons as an important driver, up from 25% in 2018.
  • Creating Healthier Buildings: This critical driver has been steadily increasing since 2015, reflecting a continually growing awareness of the impact of buildings on occupant health.
  • Net-Zero/Net-Positive Buildings: Nearly half (47%) of all global respondents expect to create these buildings in the next three years, with nearly as many expecting to create them within the next five years.
  • Embodied Carbon: 40% of respondents expect to control embodied carbon in buildings within the next five years.
  • Resilience Strategies: 40% of respondents expect to employ strategies to increase resilience in buildings within the next five years.
  • Prefabrication and Modular Construction: 40% of respondents expect to engage in prefabrication and modular construction within the next five years.

Statistics:

  • 28% of all respondents report that most of their building projects qualify as green.
  • 42% of all respondents anticipate being at the level of green building qualification within the next three years, expanding the group by 50%.
  • Building owners and investors report, on average, 10% lower operating costs in the first year and over 16% within five years.
  • 47% of global respondents expect to create net-zero/net-positive buildings in the next three years.
  • 40% of respondents expect to control embodied carbon in buildings within the next five years.
  • 40% of respondents expect to employ strategies to increase resilience in buildings within the next five years.
  • 40% of respondents expect to engage in prefabrication and modular construction within the next five years.

Sources:

  • Dodge Data & Analytics
  • Carrier
  • Autodesk
  • American Institute of Architects
  • U.S. Green Building Council
  • BusinessWire

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