For the past 10 years sustainable building initiatives, or “green building’’ programs, have grown at a blistering pace. In 2008, Engineering News-Record’s Top 100 Green Contractors generated $38.69 billion in revenue from green projects, a 70% increase over 2007’s numbers. As more projects go green, contractors need to develop capabilities to remain competitive.
Sustainable buildings generally result from a design, construction and operations approach that focuses on efficient use of resources—energy, water and materials—while reducing impacts on human health and the environment.