Sustainability

WHY BUILD A GREEN BUILDING?

Environmental impact of buildings design, construction and operation is huge in Europe. Here, buildings are responsible for about 40% of the total primary energy use and are the main emitters of CO2.
A project with environmental sustainability criteria can reduce or eliminate negative impacts caused by buildings, through conscious choices based on improve design, construction and operational procedures.

Sustainable projects also allow to reduce operating costs, they generate productivity improvements and occupants wellness and they increase property values, placing them in the higher market levels.
Green buildings contribute to the creation of properties and properties systems use which respect the environment, efficient from an energetic point of view during the whole building life cycle and designed to reduce the overall impact on collective welfare and natural environment.

From location choice to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation and demolition, green buildings:

  • Efficiently use energy, water and natural resources;
  • Protect occupants health and improve worker productivity;
  • Minimize waste, pollution and environmental degradation.

 

CERTIFICATION SYSTEMS FOR SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS

Many worldwide organizations have developed standards, codes, and systems of evaluation of environmental sustainability, which can be adopted by national regulations to reduce local environmental impact of buildings.

Buildings certification systems assist professionals and consumers in determining environmental performance level of individual buildings. They also provide premium points for optional construction features, which support the design in several categories including site selection, site management, water and energy storage, choice of construction materials and occupant comfort.

Among main environmental evaluation tools of buildings currently in use are to be mentioned:

• Worldwide: LEED
• Italy: ITACA
• France: HQE
• United Kingdom: BREEAM
• Jordan: EDAMA
• Qatar: QSAS
• Arab Emirates: Estidama
• Japan: CASBEE
• Australia: Green Star