2015 Green Building Trends

USGBC

by | Jan 2, 2015

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USGBCThe US Green Building Council’s Colorado chapter predicts the following green building trends for 2015:

Green construction powers industry: the Centennial State will continue to grow as a center of green construction expertise and ownership. “As a panel of developers and owners told us at our Commercial Real Estate Forum, green buildings are becoming a must-have for owners,” said Sharon Alton, executive director, USGBC Colorado.

Commercial real estate brings together the public and private sectors: Denver’s Union Station opened its doors in summer 2014, forming the core of a major urban revitalization project to sustainably build a 21st century urban community. The project is attracting international attention for its commitment to creating partnerships between the private and public sectors.

USGBC Colorado credits Colorado’s commercial real estate industry with successfully bridging the gap between sectors to execute Union Station and other green building projects large and small. The organization’s 2015 Commercial Real Estate Forum will work to facilitate the relationships public, private and nonprofit leaders need to realize sustainable design.

Green schools leaders gain resources: Colorado schools are under enormous pressure as their enrollments grow and their buildings age. A handful of private and public programs in the state support schools that wish to renovate or build their facilities sustainably.

The Colorado Energy Office will bundle all its programs in a new Energy Savings for Schools offering this year while the Colorado Department of Education will open a new Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) Program grant round with an expected $35–$45 million of available funding.

Meanwhile, a study published last month found certified commercial green buildings on average cut greenhouse gas emissions from water consumption by 50 percent, reduced solid waste management-related GHG emissions by 48 percent and lowered transportation-related GHG emissions by 5 percent, when compared to their traditional California counterparts.

 

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