Time to ‘green up’
With more companies focusing on environmental sustainability, ‘green’ construction practices are increasingly popular. In fact, according to Stefanie Young, vice president, client solutions at the US Green Building Council (USGBC), sustainability in construction has never been more important.
“Buildings account for nearly 40 per cent of global energy-related CO2”, Young said. Making changes to industry legislation and common construction practices will play a vital role in helping countries, states and communities meet climate-change goals. ‘We can’t make meaningful progress on climate change without the support of the building and construction sector’, Young said.
For Young, environmentally friendly design starts with a focus on user experience. ‘Buildings are ultimately about people’, Young said. ‘We all spend about 90 per cent of our time indoors, and green buildings create spaces that promote health and comfort.’