The green building industry is growing around the world, and that growth brings ample opportunities for jobs and career advancement. Corporations, governments and communities are committing their resources to greening their new and existing buildings. Leading the way is LEED, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a global green building certification system that provides independent verification of a building?s design, construction, maintenance and operations. According to the U.S. Green Building Council, ?LEED certified buildings save money and resources and have a positive impact on the health of occupants, while promoting renewable, clean energy.?
As of August 2015, more than 13.8 billion square feet of building space has been LEED-certified worldwide and continues to grow daily.
USGBC provides an impressive body of data pointing to the continued growth of the green building industry:
International building industry
- More than 72,500 projects are participating in LEED in more than 150 countries and territories.
- Every eight hours one international LEED project gets certified.
- As of August 2015, approximately 43 percent of all square footage pursuing LEED certification existed outside the United States.
Corporate leaders
- 61 percent of corporate leaders believe that sustainability leads to market differentiation and improved financial performance.
- 70 percent of organizations have permanently placed sustainability on their management agendas.
- 65 percent of businesses value environmental and sustainability knowledge in job candidates.
Growth
- Between now and 2023, it’s estimated that building owners and managers will invest about $960 billion on greening their existing built infrastructure.
- A 2014 study found demand for LEED Accredited Professional and LEED Green Associate credentials grew 46 percent over a 12-month period.
- In 2015 it is estimated that 40 to 48 percent of new nonresidential construction will be green – a $120-145 billion opportunity.
- The market for green building materials reached nearly $43.8 billion last year and is forecast to grow at a compound annual rate of 9.5 percent to nearly $69 billion in 2019.
As the industry grows, so too does the need for professionals with advanced knowledge in specialized areas of green building with expertise in a particular LEED rating system and who are competent in the certification process. The green building industry needs LEED credentialed professionals – are you ready?
