Green building is a building or any space or environment that is built with social, environmental and economic sustainability in mind, from conception, construction and throughout its operation. In Brazil, this type of building is certified by the non-governmental organization Green Building Council Brazil. According to GBCB, more than a thousand buildings already have sustainable certification, which makes Brazil in the 4th position worldwide.
The GBCB certification, called Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), assesses the sustainable investments and efforts that underpin energy and water efficiency works, waste management, interior environmental quality and process innovation. For GBCB, the benefits of sustainable construction are numerous and span economic, social and environmental values.
Among the economic gains, the NGO mentions the reduction of operating costs, the reduction of regulatory risks, the appreciation of the property, the increase in occupancy and retention of occupants, the modernization and a lower obsolescence of the building.
Imagine that your air conditioning system is very old, needs frequent maintenance and consumes a lot of energy. There are currently newer models with innovative energy-efficient technologies that do not require excessive maintenance. If you invest in new equipment, you can reduce your consumption and your electricity and maintenance costs by lowering your operating costs.
Environmental benefits include the rational use and reduction of natural resource extraction, the reduction and efficient consumption of water and energy, the use of materials and technologies with low environmental impact, among others.
In the social sphere, the benefits are: improved occupant health security, social inclusion and increased sense of community, social and environmental awareness, increased employee productivity – due to increased satisfaction and well-being, among many others. In the end, your employees will be happy to work with you and will say that to the four winds, adding value to your business.
Gradually, several companies are already adapting to this market requirement and investing in sustainable construction. They install solar panels, green roofs, purchase more modern machines and equipment that use less energy, recycle and dispose of all types of materials, encourage community gardens and so on.
Public policies also encourage the practice, with the creation of specific credit lines focusing on sustainability. BRDE has a program called Sustainable Production & Consumption, which provides financing to companies to improve the quality of life for the present and future.
Even though civil construction projects are not the focus of the BRDE PCS program, the bank finances energy generation and conservation equipment, waste management, new and more efficient machines, computerized management and control systems, among others.
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