Worldwide, it was the public sector that largely led the move towards green buildings. But as sustainable practices gradually move to the general marketplace, they increasingly
have to meet the challenge of viability. The green movement must thus address the targets of the real estate and financial sectors who buy, sell, finance, audit and create saleable real estate value.

This means that green buildings must satisfy independent scrutiny, or the business sector may not accept them. Green Value was thus crafted to assess whether sustainable practices make money or not.

In total it has taken two years for this study, from concept to completion. It concludes that while evidence is as yet thin, sufficient exists to say that green buildings do indeed make money.

Change is not easy. But to all the developers, investors, owners, lenders, appraisers, valuers, agents and especially, occupiers, the conclusion is that you ignore green buildings at your cost. Green buildings can provide financial benefit.

I want to thank RICS’ partners in agreeing to the need for, sponsoring and supporting this study. Stakeholders and input covered the government and private sectors in three countries and two continents. It would also have been impossible without the those with completed green buildings who answered our research team’s persistent questions. I especially thank the team, and the Boards that backed this. More work will sensibly follow.

Green Value shows that sustainability is not simply an ethic, it’s good business.

Chris Corps BSc MRICS
Victoria, Canada

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