Global project to build investment metrics for greener construction

A major global project which will help to define the health and productivity benefits of green office buildings has been launched by the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC).

While studies have shown that there can be 11% gains in productivity from improved ventilation and up to 23% gains in productivity from improved lights, challenges remain in measuring such outcomes and attaching financial value to them.

Jane Henley, ceo of WorldGBC, said: “While there is a growing body of research that firmly supports the connections between sustainable buildings and improved health, productivity and learning outcomes of those who occupy them, this evidence is yet to inform investment decisions in the same way as traditional financial metrics. This project aims to identify the metrics that will support investment in greener buildings.”

Sponsored by Jones Lang LaSalle, Lend Lease and Skanska, the Green Building Councils of Hong Kong, United Kingdom, United States and Colombia are also partnering on the project.

Staffan Haglind, Green Business Officer at Skanska, commented: “The situation today – where buildings’ impact on human health, wellbeing and performance is usually not taken into consideration – is not good enough. I’m totally convinced that optimizing premises from a human perspective will help people as well as organizations to thrive and outperform. To support the development of the tools and metrics needed to make this happen is perfectly aligned with Skanska’s company values.”

The project builds upon WorldGBC’s report The Business Case for Green Building which summarized the existing research into the health benefits of sustainable buildings. Published in March last year, the report acknowledged that more work was needed to build the evidence base and translate academic research into information that could be used to inform business decisions. A final report is expected this autumn.

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