Green building is the practice of increasing the efficiency with which buildings use resources — energy, water, and materials — while reducing building impacts on human health and the environment, through better siting, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and removal — the complete building life cycle.

The built environment has a profound impact on our natural environment, economy, health, and productivity.

In the United States alone, buildings account for:

• 70% of electricity consumption,
• 39% of energy use,
• 39% of all carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions,
• 40% of raw materials use,
• 30% of waste output (136 million tons annually), and
• 12% of potable water consumption.

By reducing these statistics, the benefits of green building are endless.

— Enhance and protect ecosystems and biodiversity
— Improve air and water quality
— Reduce solid waste
— Conserve natural resources

— Reduce operating costs
— Enhance asset value and profits
— Improve employee productivity and satisfaction
— Optimize life-cycle economic performance

— Improve air, thermal, and acoustic environments
— Enhance occupant comfort and health
— Minimize strain on local infrastructure
— Contribute to overall quality of life