This day and age, you hear everyone talking about ‘Going Green’. Whether you want to admit it or not, at some point everyone will have to be part of the green movement. This is because at the rate we are going, the earth is simply not sustainable. It means that over the years, we will begin to run out of certain natural resources that are needed in order for us to survive. That is alarming to some people, which is why there are so many people now focusing on going green.
Going green is a personal choice that blend with behavior change, innovative ideas, energy efficient technology, efficient resources management, information and knowledge, future thinking, positive and responsible mind.
We all are personally responsible for global warming along with our business, corporate and industrial activities. Everything that happening in the earth is by human and is for human needs and greed. So going green should start with me, you and us. Going green is not only just “The right Things to Do”, it is also making sense for environment, economics and our health.
The word green is acronym of sustainability. Meaning anything we do for our own sustainability, earth sustainability, business sustainability and future generation sustainability is also can call green. We have no choice but going green or pay the ultimate price with suffering that includes extinction.
Green Building and Bangladesh Perspectives:
The opportunity for improving energy performance in the buildings and factories in Bangladesh has never been greater. The Better and GREEN Initiative is the latest national effort drawing attention to our building and factory energy consumption and ways we can help reduce it—and win at the same time. The economic downturn shifted the attention of firms and public owners with large building portfolios toward their existing buildings. With government and utility incentives, the time was ripe for focusing on retrofit and renovation investments that could save energy and money.
It is obvious that the business case matters to firms, and energy efficiency and utility savings are the foundation of that case, but firms today expect more. Going green can just do that for us. Whether you are a manufacturer trying to get your energy-efficient products installed, a builder or engineer experienced in adding value to projects through better building practices, or policy makers wanting to lower the environmental impacts of our buildings, understanding how to make the right business case to the right person is critical.
Green Building Concept is the best management system when we understand the concept and apply the concept in every management decision and practices. This concept will ensure few vital points that are the life line of a company or organization. These are as follow:
· Most energy efficient facility and activity can save money and lead to become more profitable. For manufacturing facilities, this concept can reduce the production cost significantly and make the company more competitive.
· Best possible indoor environment can lead to 15% to 20% more productivity and less absenteeism and turnover among employee.
· Best resource management can provide savings and less impact on environment.
· Proud and motivated workforce will be engaged for higher standard works.
· Consumer acceptance with higher market share and worldwide reputations.
· Best practice to protect the environment, biodiversity, habitat and create a green peaceful spaces
· Green Building Concept employs the “Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) to make buying decision that save money and also choose environment friendly products.
· Preventive maintenance policy within the Green Building Concept can reduce establishment cost significantly.
In final note, Green Building Concept is not just a certificate; rather it is the most profitable and environment friendly business management system and also an ongoing process, which require continual improvement in all aspect of company or organization portfolios.
Green Building Benefits Focus
Operating Costs
Green buildings have been shown to save money through reduced energy and water use and lower long-term operations and maintenance costs. Energy savings in green buildings typically exceed any design and construction cost premiums within a reasonable payback period.
Workplace Productivity and Health
Research shows that the green design attributes of buildings and indoor environments can improve worker productivity and occupant health and well-being, resulting in bottom line benefits for businesses. Despite evidence of its impact, improved indoor environmental quality has not been a priority in building design and construction, and resistance remains to incorporating it into financial decision-making.
Green Building Triple Bottom Line Benefits Includes
Economic Benefits
· Increased building valuation and return on investment (ROI)
· Improve bottom line
· Decreased staff health cost
· Reduce operating cost
· Energy use reduction
· Reduce water consumption
· Enhance asset value and profit
· Improve employee productivity and satisfaction
· Optimize life-cycle economic performance
· Marketing advantage
Environmental Benefits
· Enhance and protect ecosystem and biodiversity.
· Solid waste reduction.
· CO2 Emission Reduction.
· Improve air and water quality.
· Reduce solid waste up to 70%.
· Conserve natural recourses.
· Reduce energy us by 24% to 50%.
· Reduce Carbon emissions by 33% to 39%.
· Reduce water use by 40% to 70%.
Health & Community Benefits
· Reduced absenteeism and turnover.
· Increased staff output and worker performance.
· Improve air, thermal and acoustic environments.
· Faster patient recovery.
· Enhance occupant comfort and health.
· Minimize strain on local infrastructure.
· Superior retail sales.
· Contribute to overall quality of life.
Other Benefits
· It will make the project as a World Standard Building.
· It will make the project very unique and superior than other available projects.
· It will provide free publicity in the Electronic and Print Media.
· This building will improve the company images and create a name in the World Sustainable Community.
· LEED referenced standards includes ASHRAE, EPA, EPact, IESNA, ASTM, SCAQMD, ISO, ENERGY STAR, IPMVA, ANSI etc.
Top Benefit
· Every positive action brings more positive to our lives.
· Very good tools to motivate employee to become positive and productive.
· Help employees to feel proud of their workplace and contribute positively for company bottom line.
Energy Cost Savings Examples
With my experience in Green Building Consultancy in Bangladesh, I would like to share with you few examples of real Energy Savings in our New Building Projects and Existing Building Projects. These numbers are very significant and speak for itself. As your Sustainability Advisor, we would not recommend you to do any investment that has more than 5 years of payback time. On the other hand, any investment that payback in less than 5 years is the best investment you can make and also you can decide how far you would like to go and how much you would like to invest. We will show you multiple options with invest amount, benefits and payback time. It is safe to say that green building dose not cost you but it is the best investment you can make.
Ananta Ahmed,
USGBC Faculty, LEED AP BD+C, LEED AP EB O+M, LEED AP ID+C
Managing Director: 360 Total Solution Limited
ananta2001@yahoo.com, ananta.ahmed@gmail.com
