Shanghai urban landscape, the streets of Shanghai landmarks.It’s estimated that by 2050, 70% of the world’s population will be living in cities and that means more buildings will be needed. Currently, buildings consume 40% of global energy. The only way to grow cities while protecting our environment is to focus future projects on building sustainable structures.

Builders and investors must be convinced that sustainable building is the best way forward. Data gathered over the past decade shows that not only do sustainable buildings provide benefits to the bottom line, but also the health and wellness of building occupants is improved.

Green buildings are good for the environment and good for building occupants. A Harvard study recently discovered that cognitive function test scores doubled for people who work in an optimized green building setting. It showed there is a relationship between people’s health and productivity and the green building they work in.

At this year’s Greenbuild, Harvard shared additional findings, ’employees in high-performing, green-certified real buildings showed 26 percent higher cognitive function scores compared to those working in high-performing buildings that were not green certified.’ This is just the beginning of the benefits people who live and work in green buildings have experienced.

The data is clear. The need to continue sustainable building is important, not only for our environment, but also for the health and wellness of building occupants.

Click here to get RTS’ free LEED Guide – What is LEED Certification to learn more about most popular green building rating system, LEED.

Earn your LEED professional credential and join the green building movement.