‘Green’ Building Sector to Contribute $554B to GDP from 2009-13

November 12, 2009

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

While the green building industry added $173 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product from 2000-08, that’s just the beginning. From 2009 to 2013, that amount will more than triple to $554 billion, according to a new report from the U.S. Green Building Council and Booz Allen Hamilton.

The return on energy savings is not near as great as the overall economic impact. From 2009-13, green buildings should help reduce energy use by about $6 billion, compared to $1.3 billion from 2000-08, according to the report, “Green building, green jobs and the economy.” (PDF).

When it comes to LEED-specific construction, which contributed about $830 million to the GDP from 2000-08, the future looks sunny. From 2009-13, the figure jumps to $12.5 billion.

Over that span, the green building sector should create about 7.9 million jobs, compared to 2.4 million from 2000-08, the report states. Those figures include jobs created directly, indirectly and by induction.

However, at least for New England, the impact of green jobs is overstated, reports the Boston Herald.

Economists at the New England Economic Partnership said that clean energy cannot be counted on to be the next “growth engine” for New England.

The “green” economy accounts for just 4 percent of the region’s employment, said Ross Gittell, an economist at the University of New Hampshire.

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Advertisers

Enhance Sustainability. Improve Profitability.

Learn how at the SAP Sustainability Resource Center. >>

Unclear about the EPA's new GHG Rule?

Learn how it could affect your business. >>

EPA mandatory emissions reporting starts Jan 1st

CSA Standards can help your organization get ready for compliance. Find out how. >>

Product Environmental Compliance Best Practices

How to achieve compliance at a significantly lower cost. Download the full report. >>

Join the Discussion

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

11/20/2009
11/19/2009
11/18/2009

Charts [ see all ]

European Paper Industry Cuts CO2 Emissions by 42% since 1990

S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks

Nike Tops Annual Climate Action Scores

Oceans May Trap more Carbon than Forests

Jobs

View All Jobs >> Post a Job >>

Comments and Discussions

Trade Association on Trade Group on EPA Chemical Regs: ‘If Everything is a Priority, Then Nothing is a Priority’
"Seriously… that..."

Gary Markowitz on Supermarkets Tackle Emissions Reductions, Fuel Efficiency
"Supermarkets waste over 10 percent of their energy through improper..."

peter in ireland on Ontario May Follow California’s Lead on TV Energy Efficiency
"Governor Schwarzenegger is shooting himself in the foot! 1...."

Environmental Leader on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"The survey respondents (the PDF report mentions 4,000 respondents in 38..."

Jake on UPS Trying New Hydraulic Hybrid Trucks
"A point of clarification: the Reuters press release referenced herein reports that 20 UPS will purchase..."

Custom Organic Shirts on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"90% of North Americans believe it is urgent to get a global climate..."

peter dublin on California City’s Green Building Ordinance Applies to Commercial Buildings
"Why energy efficiebnt regulation on buildings –..."

Environmental Leader