INTERNATIONAL REPORT—The construction industry is often very energy-consuming, and because of this, it doesn’t go together with the environmental sustainability that has taken front stage lately. Generally, the construction industry is an enormous consumer of natural resources and raw materials, generating approximately 39 percent of the carbon emissions on Earth. The effects it brings to the world are negative, and this is why new sustainable alternatives have appeared, like green buildings. The importance of green buildings is vital today as we face many challenges, from climate change to resource depletion, and it is essential to develop products that will not bring any more harm. Also, the hospitality sector has turned its focus on green dwellings, as people want sustainable alternatives when traveling. This is why many hotels implement green designs and construction practices to meet their clients’ demands.
By adopting green practices, we all can create a more sustainable environment and improve our life this way. So, let’s see why green buildings are so important in today’s world.
What is Green Building?
Green building is a fairly new efficient method of construction focused on sustainable practices, and because of that, it has a smaller impact on the environment. Green buildings have a sustainable approach in all aspects of construction, including siting, construction, design, renovation, operation, and demolition. As they use environmentally friendly technologies and materials, green buildings reduce the negative impact of construction on the environment and encourage sustainability. Eco-friendly building practices promote a more sustainable living and minimize the carbon footprint by considering energy-efficient materials, renewable energy sources, water conservation alternatives, renovations of existing structures, energy-efficient designs, or green walls and roofs.
Many organizations and authorities are focusing on developing more products that align with sustainability practices, and this is why every company needs to have an Environmental Protection Declaration (EPD) to prove the products’ sustainable features, as the legislation stipulates. In the construction industry, an EPD is vital to develop green buildings, as it contributes to the overall sustainable development of a project. The EPD is the final report, and its foundation represents the life cycle assessment (LCA). And if you were wondering what is an LCA, you need to know that it represents a comprehensive approach that evaluates the impact made on the environment by a product life cycle, and calculates its greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, waste generation and water usage.
What are the Main Benefits of Green Building?
Green building brings a lot of advantages, not only for the environment but also for the owners of the houses or the building occupants. And one of the main advantages of green buildings is that they reduce costs and energy consumption. This is why eco-friendly practices succeed in minimizing energy usage by up to 40 percent or more, which is only beneficial, as the energy bills will have lower costs so that owners can have significant savings. Also, green buildings improve indoor air quality, and because of it, the building occupants can have a better well-being.
As sustainability practices are more present now than ever, people have become more conscious of their environmental impact, which has led to a growing demand for eco-friendly buildings. Because of this, green construction has increased property values on the market, which can only benefit owners of these types of properties.
Also, not only owners want eco-friendly alternatives, but also people in general when they are traveling, as they wish to find a hotel that makes sustainability a key focus and gives a better experience for their guests. And from buying eco-friendly cleaning products to choosing renewable energy alternatives, hotels can make a huge difference. The good news is that now there are more green hotels than ever before, and the number is expected to grow continually.
Best Examples of Green Buildings Around the World
Around the world, many green buildings are stunning. But besides their look, they also succeed in reducing their impact on the environment. Some examples of these buildings are the following.
Shanghai Tower, China
The tallest green skyscraper in China, it is a green building that was constructed in 2015. The tower has a transparent second skin wrapped around it, which captures air and works as natural ventilation, thus reducing energy costs. Also, the building has 270 wind turbines incorporated into the façade that power the exterior lights.
Bosco Verticale, Italy
The Bosco Verticale, or the Vertical Forest, is a powerful example of a revolutionary building adopting sustainable architecture. The construction comprises two residential towers. But what is fascinating about it is that it has 13,000 shrubs, 9,000 trees and 5,000 plants covering it. It is designed to reduce pollution, produce oxygen, and create a habitat for insects and local birds. The residential towers are made from natural materials, like glass, aluminum, and cement, so they reduce energy costs and provide insulation.
Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, Aruba
The Aruba resort is a powerful example of a green alternative adopted in the hotel industry. And the result has been seen worldwide, as it received many awards for its practices, including the 2023 Energy Globe Award, the 2023 AHATA Impact Award for environmental conservation, the 2022 Caribbean Journal Award for sustainability and the Global United Nations 2020 Climate Neutral Now Award. The best initiatives of this resort are:
- reusing water from showers and sinks;
- using solar power to heat water in the laundry and the guestrooms; and
- reducing electricity usage.
Also, Aruba hotels support wildlife conservation and have a local foundation specially made to protect sea turtles.
The Brando, French Polynesia
The Brando is an eco-friendly hotel in French Polynesia that uses an AC cooling system from which cold water in the hotel is pumped directly from the deep ocean. Because of that, the hotel greatly reduces the energy used for the AC system by 90 percent and the overall energy by 45 percent. It also has other sustainable practices, like composting food waste for their gardens, relying on solar panels, and reusing wastewater for irrigation.
