Report shows industrial sector prioritizes sustainability in design and operations

U.S. Green Building Council’s new LEED in Motion: Industrial Facilities report highlights the collaborative efforts across the manufacturing sector to design and implement LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and prioritize environmental stewardship. Currently, there are more than 1,755 LEED-certified industrial facilities worldwide totaling more than 496 million square feet and an additional 2,710 projects registered totaling nearly 737 million square feet.

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Report shows industrial sector prioritizes sustainability in design and operations

Sources: U.S. Green Building Council, Washington, D.C.; CP staff

USGBC’s new LEED in Motion: Industrial Facilities report highlights the collaborative efforts across the manufacturing sector to design and implement LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and prioritize environmental stewardship. Currently, there are more than 1,755 LEED-certified industrial facilities worldwide totaling more than 496 million square feet and an additional 2,710 projects registered totaling nearly 737 million square feet.

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Green building report tracks compounded market growth

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Dodge Data & Analytics’ World Green Building Trends 2016 SmartMarket Report, compiled from surveys tracking nearly 70 countries, finds global green building volume is doubling every three years. Authors see expansion continuing in the United States, Germany and United Kingdom, but emerging economies like Brazil, India, Saudi Arabia and South Africa representing growth engines—their development activity trending two- to six-fold over current green building levels.

 
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Dodge report confirms compounded growth in global green building activity

Sources: U.S. Green Building Council, Washington, D.C.; CP staff

Dodge Data & Analytics’ World Green Building Trends 2016 SmartMarket Report, compiled from surveys tracking nearly 70 countries, finds global green building volume is doubling every three years. Authors see expansion continuing in the United States, Germany and United Kingdom, but emerging economies like Brazil, India, Saudi Arabia and South Africa representing growth engines—their development activity trending two- to six-fold over current green building levels.

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Council outlines green building square footage goals in the billions

With a United Nations Climate Change Conference/Buildings Day backdrop, the U.S. Green Building Council committed to scaling green buildings to more than 5 billion square feet over the next five years through the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) green building rating systems.

 
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Supply Chain group finalizes LEED Materials & Resources credit guidance

Sources: U.S. Green Building Council, Washington, D.C.; CP staff

After nearly a year of stakeholder exchanges, the USGBC Supply Chain Optimization Working Group recommends three minimum steps to supplement the Materials & Resources credit (Building Disclosure and Optimization–Material Ingredients, option 3) for LEED v4 certification:

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Concrete trades near top in AGC survey tracking widespread labor shortages

Nearly 90 percent of 1,350-plus respondents to an industry-wide Associated General Contractors of America survey, conducted at peak season, report trouble finding qualified craft workers to fill key spots as construction demand continues to rebound in many markets. Seventy-nine percent of responding firms nationwide cite difficulty filling one or more of 21 hourly craft professional positions, particularly carpenters (73 percent of firms that employ carpenters report difficulty), followed by sheet metal installers (65 percent) and concrete workers (63 percent).

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USGBC yields to Golden State’s CALGreen standards in LEED documentation path

The U.S. Green Building Council will allow principals behind nonresidential projects subject to mandatory 2013 California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) requirements an alternative documentation path toward LEED certification. CALGreen is the nation’s first statewide mandatory green building code, covering nearly all Golden State residential and nonresidential construction.

 
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Multifamily lender lowers interest rates for LEED-certified projects

Sources: U.S. Green Building Council, Washington, D.C.; CP staff

As part of its Multifamily Green Initiative, Fannie Mae is granting a 10 basis point reduction in the interest rate of a refinance, acquisition or supplemental mortgage loan for a multifamily property carrying certification or recognition under USGBC LEED, EPA Energy Star or Enterprise Green Communities programs. On a $10 million dollar loan amortizing over 30 years, an owner would save $95,000 in interest payments across a 10-year term based on 3.9 percent versus 4 percent market rate.

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LEED certification strongest in Illinois, gaining in the South, Southwest

Source: U.S. Green Building Council

Now in its fifth year, the USGBC’s Top 10 States for LEED Green Building Per Capita in Nation ranking is based on 2010 U.S. Census data and includes commercial and institutional green building projects that were certified throughout 2014. Illinois retained its top national position for a second consecutive year, with 174 LEED certifications representing 3.31 square feet of LEED-certified space per resident.

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