Understanding Green

Consider the use of light bulb in a building. CFLs and LEDs are more sustainable over conventional light bulbs

• as they consume less electricity and don't need to be replaced as frequently
• less energy consumption allows the local utility company to burn less fossil fuel and generate less pollution
• brighter bulbs create a better work environment for employee
• reduced pollution = more breathable air in surrounding communities

Material	Life(yrs.)	Price
A	5	10
B	20	20

Material intended to be used for 4 years. Material A is better than B

Material intended to be used for 18 years. Material A has to be replaced thrice. Material B is better than A as it has a lower life cycle costs.

Triple Bottom Line: True sustainability has 3 key aspects

• Environmental Stewardship: Benefit the planet as much as possible, at least do no harm and curtail negative environmental impact
• Social Responsibility: Improve the lives of those whom the product/ building interacts
• Economic Prosperity: Nobody runs a business to lose money

You may hear the triple bottom line referred to in different ways;

• The Triple P's: Planet, People and Profit
• The Triple E's: Economics, Ecology and Social Equity

Sustainability can be defined as the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
The term "Green Building" is often used as a synonym for sustainable construction and high performance building. Building green helps to conserve the environment, support economic prosperity and improve human health and well being. There is no significant difference in average costs for green buildings as compared to non-green building.

Impacts of Building and Construction:

• 14% of potable water
• 30% waste output
• 40% raw material, energy use, CO2 emissions
• 72% of Electricity Consumption

Green building can

• Reduce energy consumption by 24% to 50%
• Reduce CO2 emission by 33% to 39%
• Reduce water use by 40%
• Reduce solid waste by 70%