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Research Shows
that Green
Buildings Mean a
More Productive
Workforce
It’s well-known that “green buildings”—such
as buildings that meet LEED (Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design) certification
standards—are generally good for both the
environment and the bottom line. Among
other outcomes, green buildings generate
less waste, use less water, and consume
significantly less energy for heating and
cooling, adding up to fewer harmful emissions
and lower costs; green buildings have also
been shown to have higher real-estate worth.
While these buildings typically add value
and reduce costs for an organization, a new
ground-breaking research collaboration
between the National Research Council (NRC)
and RBC is showing that green buildings
can also contribute to a more productive
workforce.
How would you measure that?
As Trevor Nightingale, Program Leader
of NRC’s High-performance Buildings
program points out, by offering better indoor
environment quality, green buildings provide
a more comfortable and health-supportive
environment for the people who work in them.
“There is a long history of research, including
a lot done here at NRC, establishing linkages
between the office environment and how it
affects employees’ ability to do their work”
says Dr. Nightingale. “What’s been missing
is a way to objectively quantify the impact
of the office environment on organizational
productivity, especially where green buildings
are concerned.”
Major international organizations, including the
Continental Automated Buildings Association
(CABA), and the World Green Building Council
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Construction Leaders • May 2017