Top 10 Green Building Trends of 2011
January 31, 2011
Today’s tip comes to us with the assistance of noted green building expert and consultant Jerry Yudelson. Jerry gives us his top 10 items on what we’ll look back on at this time next as the top green building stories of 2011.
10. Solar power will continue to grow. Higher RPS standards, the extension of federal renewable energy grants, and the growth of third-party financing partnerships will all contribute to a much more robust solar industry in 2011.
9. Local and state governments will step up their mandates for green buildings for both themselves and the private sector. ASHRAE 189.1 - the new green building code - will play a huge role in this one.
8. Certified Green Schools will grow rapidly as part the LEED System.
7. Performance Disclosure and building labeling will be the fastest emerging trend, highlighted by new requirements in California, Washington D.C., and New York City, among others.
6. Zero-net-energy designs for new buildings become increasingly commonplace.
5. Water efficiency, spurred by growing recognition of the global fresh water crisis, will become an increasing priority for facility managers. EPA estimates at least 36 states will have water shortages by 2013.
4. The focus on sustainability will continue its shift from new construction to existing buildings. LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance will grow in use among facility managers and building owners, giving them a position of greater prominence in their organizations.
3. President Obama will continue to work on behalf of green buildings in the US. New commitments by the federal government to a minimum of LEED Gold highlight this trend.
2. New construction, and therefore new green construction, as measured by LEED project registrations, will rebound in 2011.
And, #1, the worldwide green building movement will continue to accelerate.
For more information on these trends and other green building stories, visit Jerry’s website at
www.greenbuildconsult.com
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