In response to global climate change, industrialized nations signed the Kyoto Protocol in 1997, pledging to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5% by 2012. Since greenhouse gas emissions from buildings are also a significant source, the German government passed regulations on building energy efficiency in 2002 to control building greenhouse gas emissions. Over the years, green building in Germany has gradually transitioned from a niche industry to a mainstream sector. The reasons for this and its future development are analyzed below:
The construction industry has a significant impact on the environment. In EU countries, buildings account for approximately 42% of total energy consumption and 35% of total greenhouse gas emissions. Residential buildings, which consume 26% of total energy, offer more opportunities for renovation than commercial buildings.
Green building technologies save resources. These technologies effectively reduce energy consumption for air conditioning and lighting, making green buildings 30% more energy-efficient than traditional buildings. In addition, green buildings are also more water-efficient and reduce maintenance costs.
The driving forces behind green building include: reduced operating costs, increased resident demand, higher labor productivity, and enhanced reputation resulting from the adoption of advanced green building technologies. Generally, buildings certified with LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) achieve 8-9% lower operating costs than conventional buildings. Over a building's lifecycle, these cost savings can effectively cover the higher initial operating expenses, and investors can more easily secure more so-called socially conscious investments.
Building regulations have become more stringent. Recognizing the advantages of green buildings, the European Union enacted the Energy Performance of Building Directive (EPBD 2002) in 2002 to improve the energy efficiency of existing and new buildings. The subsequent EPBD 2010 directive aimed to achieve "near-zero" green energy building goals by 2021.
Limiting factors include the lack of a universal definition, relevant data, and information on green buildings within the construction industry. This makes it difficult to assess the return on investment for green buildings and deters investors. Furthermore, discrepancies in perceptions regarding landlord costs and tenant interests also hinder the promotion of green building initiatives.
Market information from certification bodies: Although the number of green building certification bodies has surged in the past decade, adoption in countries other than the United States and the United Kingdom remains limited. However, increasing transparency in operating costs and other indicators through certification bodies should benefit the promotion of green building.
Green buildings will become widespread. Tenant demand and superior environmental performance will be key drivers for their adoption. However, stricter EU regulations will make it difficult for green buildings to become a widely adopted standard for new and renovated buildings in the next 10 years. This architectural transformation will take longer, but it is foreseeable.
-Source: Bureau of International Trade
