Often decision-makers are hesitant to explore high performance or “green” features for their buildings because they are concerned about up-front costs and do not clearly understand the potential for economic gains accompanied with successful green building strategies.  The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) published a report titled “Building Momentum,” shortly after a 2002 Roundtable attended by the U.S. Senate Public Works, Environmental Committee and the USGBC.  The report highlighted some of the obstacles that influence an owner’s adoption of “green” building practices and outlined specific recommendations for strengthening green building programs, including Federal policies and programs. By understanding how to address several of these “perceived” barriers reflected in the report, owners can learn to take a long term view, gain an understanding of the economic benefits of green building, and make informed decisions. 

This module presents research and tools, combined with a conceptual framework to help owners and designers overcome barriers to green building in the Federal sector and beyond. Among the many topics discussed are:

• Barriers and economic factors associated with green building projects
• Economic benefits of high performance buildings
• Federal mandates and incentives for high performance buildings
• Motivation for decision makers to implement various Green strategies into their projects
• Using strategic economic planning, from project conception to design and construction, in order to offset up-front costs with short and long-term paybacks
• Altering the design and budget focus to ensure long-term sustainability of the building and beyond buildings
• Enhanced productivity, attendance, and health of the building occupants

TARGET AUDIENCE

Federal decision-makers, building owners, project managers, architects, facilities managers and others who are committed to high performance building and wise use of funds.