World Green Building Council Research Articles

Exploring the Environmental and Social Sustainability of Natural Cities. Challenges and Opportunities of Unfinished Buildings Development

As the consequences of climate change become increasingly apparent, it is imperative to enhance the efficiency and control of the construction sector to adapt and mitigate the crisis. This essay examines the complex relationship between informal settlements and sustainable urban development. It emphasizes the significance of adopting a human-centered approach to comprehend and tackle the challenges encountered by these settlements. Fur- thermore, it acknowledges the interconnectivity of urban informality, human nature, and archi- tecture, underscoring the need to observe. The concept of Natural Cities, which evolved from informal settlements, challenges the traditional divide between society and nature by high- lighting their interdependence and coexistence within urban spaces. Sustainable cities embrace this interdependence by following the principles of sustainability and environmental steward- ship, striving to strike a balance between the needs of people and the requirements of the natural world. The article addresses the challenges of abandoned or stalled construction projects in Natural Cities, which can be overcome with the right guidelines and boosts, by presenting a theoretical analysis and suggesting several development approaches for unfinished buildings in these settlements. These practices are based on the principles of "build nothing, less, cleaver, and efficiently" by the World Green Building Council. The article evaluates the approaches in terms of costs, greenhouse gas emissions, and their alignment with the UN's sustainable development goals. Public investments and services can be encouraged in these structures to incentivize sustainable development, ultimately benefiting the residents of informal settlements who are most affected by these challenges. Empowering and including the residents in the planning and decision-making processes is crucial for success. A human-centered approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of urban informality, human nature, and architecture is pivotal in realizing sustainable urban development in informal settlements. By considering the symbiotic relationship between urban and natural elements and involving the community in decision-making processes, we can foster inclusive and resilient natural cities that harmonize with their surroundings and enhance the well-being of their residents.

Analyzing and Comparing Global Sustainability Standards: LEED, BREEAM, and PBRS in Green Building arch article topic

Since the year 2000, a heightened environmental awareness has led to the emergence of global trends in forefront countries, prompting the need for standardized practices in the environmental building industry. This paper explores various experiments on buildings, demonstrating trends through examinations and tests conducted by governmental or private organizations. Notable among these trends are the standards set by global evaluation systems such as BREEAM, LEED, PBRS, and SSBS. The paper highlights the recent adoptaion of Arab standards in Abu Dhabi, positioning the emirate as a pioneer in sustainable development. The research focuses on the city of Kirkuk, where building regulations lack consideration for environmental standards. The study aims to identify applicable international standards, emphasizing the importance of residential standards in comparison to other criteria. The World Green Building Council's universal standards for existing buildings are discussed, with the recognition that these standards may need customization to align with the local environment and architectural characteristics of Kirkuk. The paper delves into the methodology used, employing a theoretical framework, analytical methodology, and a deductive approach to formulate recommendations tailored to meet local standards. The Abu Dhabi experience with the Pearl Rating System is explored, outlining its three evaluation stages and the specific criteria for building assessment. A comparison between sustainability standards reveals disparities in evaluation criteria, emphasizing the challenge in establishing global standards. The study calls for a transparent and globally applicable evaluation basis, considering discrepancies among diverse countries and their respective tools. The paper concludes by underlining the importance of establishing local standards, serving as a benchmark for quality and operational efficiency within the real estate market. It also emphasizes the crucial role of existing residential buildings in proposed solutions for sustainable development, highlighting their significance in local markets.

Study on the Benefits of the Implementation of Green Building Rating in Malaysia

A green building is a sustainable design incorporating environmentally friendly practices in its construction and management. The objective of green building development is to reduce the negative impact of buildings on the environment by mitigating carbon dioxide emissions. Several countries worldwide, including Malaysia have established rating tools under the World Green Building Council to measure sustainability for various types of development. The goal is to encourage all nations to promote green building and replace conventional methods that harm the environment. In Malaysia, two of the most commonly used assessment tools for green building are GBI and GreenRE. The Malaysian government has implemented various policies to manage the construction process of green buildings, such as the National Green Technology Policy, Green Performance Assessment System, and the establishment of Green Technology Master Plan for managing green operations. However, green building projects in Malaysia are still in the formative stage, indicating that the construction industry in Malaysia is still in its infancy with regard to sustainable development. This study aims to investigate the perceived benefits of implementing Green Building Rating Tools in Malaysia. Specific factors that enable company readiness to adopt rating tools include benefits to occupants, facility management, and environmental sustainability. The research methodology used in this study was quantitative, employing a questionnaire survey with 140 respondents. The findings indicate that Facility Management and Environmental Sustainability are significantly related to Company's Readiness to adopt Green Building Rating. It is crucial for policymakers to provide incentives to project teams (developers, consultants, and contractors) to increase awareness about green construction and its implementation.

Sustainable Construction Practices: Balancing Environmental Responsibility and Project Success

The construction industry has a large carbon footprint. According to the World Green Building Council, almost 40 percent of the world's carbon emissions are generated by the construction sector. It also accounts for around 25 percent of the world's solid waste output. This paper seeks to demonstrate the need to decrease wasteful by products while curbing emissions.

Daylighting Simulation for Sustainable Certified Building - Tokyo Global Square, Minato City, Japan

According to the World Green Building Council, Sustainable Building or Green building refers to a building that, in its design, construction, or operation, minimises or eliminates negative impacts on the climate and natural environment while also creating positive impacts and improving our quality of life. It aims to conserve natural resources. This study focuses on assessing the effectiveness of daylighting in enhancing the overall efficiency of an office building. The selected office building, Tokyo Toranomon Global Square, located in Minato City, Tokyo, Japan, is certified by LEED and has received sustainable ratings. LightStanza has been utilised as a daylighting simulation tool for this study. The findings reveal that several factors influence the efficiency of the space, including building orientation, window type, glass type, facade materials, and room depth. Through computer simulations, it has been determined that the average illuminance level of daylight entering the building meets the ideal illuminance values specified by specific organisations that provide criteria for optimal lighting in office working spaces, namely as the Japanese Industrial Standard, (JIS Z 9110, 2010 – General rules of recommended Lighting Levels).

Prospects for creating surfaces with vegetation on buildings in Poland

According to the World Green Building Council, energy demand in buildings will increase double, by 2050. Worldwide, construction and the built environment contribute about 39% of global carbon dioxide (28% from operational emissions, from energy needed to heat, cool and power them, and the remaining 11% from materials and construction) and 50% of the world’s resource consumption. Thus, maximising energy efficiency and improving the environment are the main directions of construction development. Both tasks can be solved using green structures that connect living plants with building structures (green roofs, living facades and living interior walls). The data from the main organisations in the branch has been analysed: United Nations, The World Green Building Council, European Parlament and Council, and also Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction. They state the need for green and blue infrastructure, and sustainable urbanisation, incl. decarbonising of buildings and mitigation of urban heat islands. Greening of buildings is a measure to achieve the requirements. In addition, it improves health and well-being or increases biodiversity. Poland has the corresponding norms to stimulate the greening of buildings. The term “biologically active area” is defined as the area with an area arranged in a way that ensures natural vegetation of plants and rainwater retention; such an area also covers 50% of the surface of terraces and flat roofs with a vegetation layer with vegetation and other surfaces (e.g. green facade), providing natural vegetation of plants, with an area of not less than 10 m2, surface water in this area. Special tax policies give privileges to those who green their building(s). These measures have a good result in spreading green structures, which is proved by the objects represented in the article.

The problem with net zero building policy: reflecting on the making, and future, of a global discourse

The Paris Agreement made net zero emissions a global target. In response, net zero carbon building standards have proliferated, making net zero a popular target for buildings. But to meaningfully contribute to global decarbonization efforts, net zero standards and the organizations who promote them, must be deemed legitimate. Given the building industry’s reputation for being highly fragmented and slow to change, how has this legitimacy been constructed? What are the implications of this legitimation process? This article seeks to answer these questions by exploring the narratives used by the World Green Building Council (WGBC) to legitimate Net Zero Carbon Buildings (NZCB) from 2015 to 2021. Our analysis is based on over 100 documents produced by the WGBC and 22 interviews with WGBC and Green Building Council representatives, policymakers, and industry actors. Results reveal six main storylines adopted by the WGBC to extend the legitimacy of sustainable green building movement actors to the new net zero governance space. This legitimation process allows the WGBC to develop and implement net zero standards quickly, but also creates tensions between efficiency and procedural integrity, potential and proven results, corporate and collective value. While NZCB are here to stay, these tensions highlight barriers to their wide-scale adoption and question their ability to deliver an economically viable, socially just, environmental, net zero transition.

Scientific and theoretical approaches to complex assessment of building life cycle from a low-carbon development perspective

Construction activity is carried out in close interaction with the environment, which has always focused the attention of researchers on ecological safety of construction objects, including low-carbon development and reducing resource intensity and energy consumption at all stages of the building life cycle. The global trends in construction are such areas as decarburization of not only existing but also newly constructed buildings, creating conditions for the implementation of investment and construction projects from a low-carbon development perspective, as well as assessing the carbon impact of implemented projects, including at the early stages of architectural and technological design. The World Green Building Council identifies the carbon impact at early stages as “upfront carbon”, which is becoming increasingly important in a complex life cycle assessment in buildings by low-carbon criterion. The article presents scientific and theoretical approaches to a comprehensive life cycle assessment in buildings from a low-carbon development perspective. The authors have identified the factors allowing to estimate the future building project from the position of low-carbon applied design solutions, suggested a multilayer factor space of the considered indicators (building resources) of carbon impact, proposed a minimization indicator of the building carbon impact, which enables to estimate comprehensively the influence of all factors and indirectly characterize the degree of carbon impact at the life cycle stages, preceding the building operation.

A Comprehensive Review on Recycling of Construction Demolition Waste in Concrete

There have been efforts to use building demolition waste as an alternative aggregate in concrete to decrease the use of natural resources for construction. The World Green Building Council estimates that the construction industry is responsible for more than 50% of all material extracted globally and that construction and demolition waste makes up 35% of global landfills. As a result, incorporating recycled aggregate (RA) in concrete production is a prudent course of action to reduce the environmental impact. This study reviews prior research on using recycled aggregate instead of conventional ingredients in concrete. The composition and morphology of different types of RA, the behavior of RA in fresh and hardened states, keyword co-occurrence and evolution analysis, and the various additives used to enhance the inferior properties of RA are discussed. The RA showed different physical properties when compared with natural aggregate. However, the addition of pozzolanic materials and various pretreatment techniques is desirable for improving the inferior properties of RA. While building waste has been utilized as a substitute for fine and coarse aggregate, prior research has demonstrated that a modified mixing approach, an adequate mixing proportion, and the optimum replacement of cementitious materials are necessary. Based on the review, the recommendation is to use RA at a replacement level of up to 30% and the addition of precoated and pozzolanic materials as a treatment to provide concrete with adequate workability, strength, and durability for structural applications.

Evaluation of physical properties of autoclave aerated concrete (AAC) based glass-gypsum waste into concrete

The world produces billions of tonnes of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) yearly, with part of it not being properly disposed of. To approach sustainable development and reduce waste in landfills, using waste in material production is proposed. According to the World Green Building Council, construction projects have expanded and demand for green buildings is likely to increase in the next three years. Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) is considered an environmentally friendly product compared to standard concrete and bricks. This paper aims to investigate the influence of glass waste (GW) and gypsum wastes as additional materials on the physical properties and compressive strength of AAC is to determine the optimum proportion of GW addition to produce AAC based glass-gypsum waste (AAC-GGW) and to compare the properties of AAC-GGW with the reference sample. The materials used were Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), quartz sand, lime, aluminum paste, GW, and gypsum waste. The ratios of all materials were kept constant except GW with increment of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30%. The density, water absorption, porosity, and average compressive strength of the samples were measured and compared. It was found that increasing GW increased the samples’ density and decreased the samples’ water absorption and porosity. It was also found that the addition of GW from 5% to 25% achieved better average compressive strength than the reference sample with no addition of GW. Maximum compressive strength was achieved at 20% GW addition.

The impact of Jin Mao Tower on life-cycle civil engineering of tall buildings

By 2030 the World Green Building Council has put forth a challenge that all buildings shall be designed for net zero operational carbon and by 2050 net zero embodied carbon. The construction of the Jin Mao Tower 20 years ago was unique for several reasons and ideas have resulted in progress toward those goals. At the time, it was the tallest building in China, one that resulted in re-writing the Chinese code for wind and seismic engineering but perhaps most importantly inspired the design of other buildings that would incorporate resilient systems. These systems have been designed based on a platform of thinking related to life-cycle engineering and minimal impact on the environment. Clearly conceived efficient tall building structural systems based on mega-columns interconnected with cores, friction-fused seismic systems, the application of optimization theories, and the considerations of carbon in construction were all influenced by the design of the Jin Mao Tower. This paper focuses on issues from research to build work that incorporate these ideas with visions of future opportunities. Techniques of calculating carbon will be discussed and ideas for the future contemplated considering machine learning and self-sustainability.

Pursuing a net-zero carbon future for all: Challenges for commercial real estate

Pursuing a net-zero carbon future for all: Challenges for commercial real estate

Green Building Rating Systems from the prospect of sustainability dimensions through the building lifecycle.

Rapid developments followed by the industrial revolution had a huge impact on the ecosystem. The concern for the ecosystem paved the way for the concept of sustainability along with its three mutually reinforcing and interdependent economic, social, and environmental dimensions. The need for sustainability is reflected in almost every field and is also seen in the construction industry in the form of green/sustainable building practices. In 2002, World Green Building Council (WGBC) was established with Green Building Councils (GBCs) representing various countries for promoting sustainable buildings. Green Building Rating Systems (GBRS) were established by GBCs to acknowledge buildings that adopt sustainable construction practices. In this context, GBRS needs much attention along with its structural framework. Many researchers have analyzed the structural framework of GBRS, and most of the studies were confined to general and category levels. Therefore, the current study attempts to investigate the weightage of sustainability dimensions through the building lifecycle by conducting a criteria-level analysis of GBRS. The weightage for three sustainability dimensions considered by GBRS was investigated through a questionnaire survey using the Budget Allocation Method (BAM). The weightage for each stage of the building lifecycle considered by GBRS was also investigated. The study also explored the relationship between sustainability dimensions and building lifecycle stages. The general framework of GBRS was analyzed, and suggestions for improving and refining GBRS were presented. Even though the study is restricted to four GBRS, the research outcome would be beneficial for developing/improving the GBRS towards accomplishing sustainability.

Green Development in the Construction of Family Houses in Urban and Rural Settlements in Slovakia

Measures that have been implemented to promote green development and environmental protection are increasingly affecting the construction of family houses and hence the economic and social growth. The representatives of the Europe Regional Network of World Green Building Council claim that the building emissions in Europe create up to 36% of the total carbon dioxide production. Therefore, the application of ecological building materials can be one of the possible ways to reach equilibrium between the social-economic growth and green development. The main objective of this paper was to find out the approach of people in urban and rural settlements in Slovakia towards the question of green development in terms of selection of building material for the construction of a family house and their economic-social situation. The issue was mapped in Slovakia using the empirical survey in the form of a questionnaire. The research was evaluated using statistical hypothesis testing methods, descriptive statistics methods, and data visualization. The main economic and social coordinates were identified that influence the choice of building materials for the construction of houses. The results led to conclusions that extend the current knowledge in the field of green development and sustainability in connection with the construction of family houses and the economic–social question in Slovakia. Results indicated that ecological materials are underestimated at nearly 71%. The identified reason for the research is, besides the economic and social issue, mainly the low level of information and promotion of ecological materials that can be used for the construction of family houses, as well as the low level of support by the state of those who are interested in the construction of ecological houses. The following research perspectives in this area should focus even more deeply on the synchronization of ecological, economic, and social aspects of sustainability, not only in the construction of family houses from ecological materials in Slovakia, but also in the construction of public and other buildings in urban and rural settlements.

Energy Optimization of Buildings through Sustainable Materials

Worldwide, buildings are accountable for a huge share of electrical energy , materials and water consumption. Buildings and construction causes for 39% of energy related CO2 emissions as per world green building council. Aim of Green building is to reduce emissions and also reduce energy consumption by using energy efficient appliances. green building design features have higher initial costs, but the payback period for the incremental investment is less. eco- friendly buildings can grant indirect cost-effective benefits to both the building owner and society in addition to direct cost savings. In this paper design of green building and analysis has been done with BE opt software by considering different parameters.

Armstrong signs Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment

Canada's Armstrong Fluid Technology has signed the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment, launched by the World Green Building Council.

Environmental and economic benefits of compliance to green building

This paper presents an analysis of environmental and economic benefits of compliance to green building. Data were collected from sixty global companies under the World Green Building Council. A logit regression analysis was applied and the statistical findings show a positive and significant relationship between green building code compliance, energy savings, water savings, increase in solar energy usage and corporate revenue growth. This paper indicates that, in addition to environmental benefits, green building code compliance does have economic benefits through improved revenue growth. The paper suggests that future research should expand this research by including more samples of global companies from the World Green Building Council's regional networks and that such future research should adopt time-series analysis to check the extent of these benefits after an extended period of time.

Occupational Stress and Workplace Design

The World Green Building Council (WGBC) advocates improvements in employee health, wellbeing, and productivity in buildings as people are about 90% of an organisation’s expense and well exceed building costs and energy costs. It was reported that earlier research on workplace design primarily focused on physical arrangement of employees’ immediate work area, and ambient environmental qualities of the work area. Building organisation, exterior amenities, and site-planning have been given less attention. Therefore, we examine more closely the health relevance of both proximal and remote aspects of workplace design. Occupational stress is a complex phenomenon that is dynamic and evolving over time. This investigation reviews the existing fundamental conceptual models of occupational stress, workplace design, and connection to nature. It aims to develop an improved model relevant to work place design and occupational stress linked with connection to nature. The proposed improved model is presented with an appropriate causal loop diagram to assist in visualizing how different variables in a system are interrelated. The developed model highlights how connection to nature in workspaces can function as a work resource with a dual effect of improving physical wellbeing and psychological wellbeing.

Energiesprong wins 2018 World Green Building Council Award

MauerwerkVolume 22, Issue 4 p. 281-285 Wettbewerbe Energiesprong wins 2018 World Green Building Council Award Energiesprong erhält World Green Building Council Award 2018 First published: 05 August 2018 https://doi.org/10.1002/dama.201870408Citations: 1AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Volume22, Issue4August 2018Pages 281-285 RelatedInformation

Ten questions concerning green buildings and indoor air quality

This paper investigates the concern that green buildings may promote energy efficiency and other aspects of sustainability, but not necessarily the health and well-being of occupants through better indoor air quality (IAQ). We ask ten questions to explore IAQ challenges for green buildings as well as opportunities to improve IAQ within green buildings and their programs. Our focus is on IAQ, while recognizing that many factors influence human health and the healthfulness of a building. We begin with an overview of green buildings, IAQ, and whether and how green building certifications address IAQ. Next, we examine evidence on whether green buildings have better IAQ than comparable conventional buildings. Then, we identify so-called green practices and green products that can have unintended and unfavorable effects on IAQ. Looking ahead, we offer both immediate and longer-term actions, and a set of research questions, that can help green buildings to more effectively promote IAQ. This article supports a growing recognition of the importance of IAQ in green buildings, and the opportunities for improvements. As the World Green Building Council [95] and others have emphasized, people are the most valuable asset of organizations, and efforts to improve IAQ can improve health, well-being, productivity, and profitability.