Research Publications

Highlighting research on the costs, benefits and attributes of green building that are transforming the market.

Highlights

USGBC is proud to be a platinum-level sponsor of InformeDesign, a free service that translates academic research results into applicable guidance for practitioners. InformeDesign’s core competency is of significant value to USGBC toward fulfilling its own goals of integrating research into practice and informing evidence-based design and operations.

The Positive Economics of Climate Change Policies: What the Historical Evidence Can Tell Us
July 2009, Laitner, J.
In this report the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) shows that most economic projections underestimate the potential benefits of increased investment in energy-efficient technologies. The report examines existing economic and historical data, and concludes that shifting investment towards energy efficiency and innovation could achieve considerable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, while also having a net positive impact on the U.S. economy.

Energy Savings and Performance Gains in GSA Buildings: Seven Cost-Effective Strategies
March 2009, U.S. General Services Administration
In order to assess federal workstation performance, this study measured environmental conditions in 22 federal buildings and surveyed over 6,000 federal workers. Based on the results, the GSA Workplace Performance Study team recommends seven cost-effective strategies, applicable to every existing federal facility and workplace, that can save energy and increase end user satisfaction.

USGBC Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
Broad Scope
Building Performance Assessment
Cost Analysis of Whole Buildings
Green Economy
Healthy Communities
Land Use & Transportation
Market Analysis & Surveys
Occupant Satisfaction, Health & Productivity
Processes for Design, Delivery & Operations
Real Estate Management & Value
Social Equity

USGBC Publications

Energy Performance of LEED for New Construction
March 2008, New Buildings Institute
This study found that on average, LEED-NC buildings are delivering anticipated savings. LEED energy use is similar to predictions--25-30% better than the national average. Average savings increase for the higher LEED levels, with Gold/Platinum buildings approaching the interim goal of Architecture 2030.Results for individual buildings, span a wide range, which calls for further research and areas of improvement for LEED.

A National Green Building Research Agenda
November 2007, USGBC Research Committee
This national research agenda is intended to identify and catalyze funding, research, development, and deployment activities that are necessary for achieving a transformative leap in building performance and sustainability. A key function of this agenda is as a basis of discussion for multiple disciplines and funding sources, providing direction and context within a cohesive mission.

Green Building Research Funding: An Assessment of Current Activity in the United States
2007, Mara Baum, USGBC Mark Ginsberg Sustainability Fellow
This report tracks recent federal, state, and trade association contributions to green building research funding.

Position Statement on Green Building Research Funding
March 2007, USGBC Research Committee
This position statement is a response by the USGBC Research Committee to the findings of "Green Building Research Funding: An Assessment of Current Activity in the United States."

Understanding the Relationship Between Public Health and the Built Environment: A Report Prepared for the LEED-ND Core Committee
May 2006, Ewing, R. & Kreutzer, R.
This report summarizes the relationship between how our communities are built and a series of public health outcomes such as physical activity, traffic accidents, respiratory health and mental health.

The New Orleans Principles: Celebrating the Rich History of New Orleans through Commitment to a Sustainable Future
2005, USGBC
Ten principles for addressing sustainability in the post-Katrina reconstruction of New Orleans.

Building Momentum: National Trends and Prospects for High-Performance Green Buildings
February 2003, ICF Consulting
This report, based on an April 2002 roundtable convened by the U.S. Senate Public Works and Environment Committee, highlights the components of green building and outlines recommendations for expanding the movement. The report is also available in hardcopy for a nominal fee. Buy Now

Sustainable Building Technical Manual (SBTM)
1996, Public Technologies Inc., USGBC, U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The SBTM is a valuable resource for designers, builders, owners, and operators who want to implement green strategies in their facilities. Available free to USGBC members.

Peer-Reviewed Articles

Building and Environment
1976-present, Elsevier
Original papers and review articles on research, technology, and tool development related to building science and human interaction with the built environment

InformeDesign
A free resource from the University of Minnesota that translates current research into an easy-to-read, easy-to-use format for design professionals.

Journal of Green Building
2006-present, College Publishing
A research journal, focused on green building, in which half of the articles are peer-reviewed.

Broad Scope

Federal Research and Development Agenda for Net-Zero Energy, High Performance Green Buildings
October 2008, U.S. National Science and Technology Council
In this agenda, the federal government outlines a comprehensive Research & Development plan for improving the energy performance of buildings. The goals of this report include developing technologies, tools and practices that could significantly reduce the use of energy, water and other natural resources, promoting environmentally friendly products and practices, and reducing building material waste while meeting building performance design standards.

Green Building in North America: Opportunities and Challenges, Secretariat Report to Council under Article 13 of the American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation
2008, Commission for Environmental Cooperation
In this report, the Secretariat of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) recommends that North American leaders make green building a foundational driver for environmental, social, and economic improvement in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Buildings and Climate Change: Status, Challenges and Opportunities
2007, United Nations Environment Programme
This report, from the Sustainable Buildings and Construction Initiative of UNEP, finds that significant cuts in greenhouse gas emissions can be made using existing technologies and building materials.

Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution
1999, Hawken, P., Lovins, A. and Lovins, L.H.
This publication explores a future in which business and environmental interests increasingly overlap and in which industries like the building sector can better satisfy their customers' needs, increase profits, and help solve environmental problems all at the same time.

Worldwatch Paper 124: A Building Revolution: How Ecology and Health Concerns are Transforming Construction
March 1995, Worldwatch Institute
This groundbreaking report found that 40% of the world's materials are used by buildings and highlights the financial advantages of ecological design. The report is available for purchase at the Worldwatch Institute website.

Building Performance Assessment

Energy Savings and Performance Gains in GSA Buildings: Seven Cost-Effective Strategies
March 2009, U.S. General Services Administration
In order to assess federal workstation performance, this study measured environmental conditions in 22 federal buildings and surveyed over 6,000 federal workers. Based on the results, the GSA Workplace Performance Study team recommends seven cost-effective strategies, applicable to every existing federal facility and workplace, that can save energy and increase end user satisfaction.

Assessing Green Building Performance: A Post-Occupancy Evaluation of 12 GSA Buildings
June 2008 (Revised Sept. '08), U.S. General Services Administration
A post-occupancy evaluation of 12 GSA buildings, seven of which are LEED certified, found that sustainable design delivers. The evaluation of these buildings was comprehensive, measuring environmental performance, financial metrics, and occupant satisfaction. The white paper provides an executive summary of the findings.

Energy Performance of LEED for New Construction
March 2008, New Buildings Institute
This study found that on average, LEED-NC buildings are delivering anticipated savings. LEED energy use is similar to predictions--25-30% better than the national average. Average savings increase for the higher LEED levels, with Gold/Platinum buildings approaching the interim goal of Architecture 2030.Results for individual buildings, span a wide range, which calls for further research and areas of improvement for LEED.

LEED Building Performance in the Cascadia Region: A Post Occupancy Evaluation Report
2006, Turner, C.
A study of 11 buildings, addressing energy use, water use, and occupant satisfaction.

Lessons Learned from Case Studies of Six High Performance Buildings
June 2006, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
The U.S. Department of Energy's Building Technologies Program has established a goal to create the technology and knowedgebase for marketable zero-energy commercial buildings by 2025. This paper outlines best practices for high-performance buildings.

Cost Analysis of Whole Buildings

Cost of Green in NYC
Fall 2009, Urban Green Council
This report looks at recent construction projects in NYC, and examines whether or not incorporating green building strategies had an impact on overall project costs.

The Cost of Green Revisited: Reexamining the Feasibility and Cost Impact of Sustainable Design in the Light of Increased Market Adoption
July 2007, Davis Langdon
The Cost of Green Revisited, an extension of the 2004 Costing Green report, shows that many projects are achieving LEED certification within their budgets and in the same cost range as non-LEED projects.

The Cost and Benefit of Achieving Green Buildings
2007, Davis Langdon
This publication discusses Green Building Council Australia's Green Star Rating System, the rising market demand for high performance buildings, and the environmental and economic benefits of green building.

What Does Green Really Cost?
2007, Davis Langdon
This article summarizes the latest research on green building cost-benefit analysis.

Greening America's Schools: Costs and Benefits (PDF)
October 2006, Capital E
This report compares the financial costs and benefits of green schools and conventional schools.

Lessons Learned: The Costs & Benefits of High Performance Buildings
2006, Earth Day Network
An ongoing "Lessons Learned" series that contains chapters on economics, strategies and market applications.

Dollars and Sense of Green Buildings 2006: Building the Business Case for Green Commercial Buildings in Australia
2006, Green Building Council Australia
This report discusses findings that green building can reduce annual operating costs and increase ROI, asset market value, rents, and occupant productivity.

A Business Case for Green Buildings in Canada
March 2005, Lucuik, M., Trusty, W., Larsson, N. & Charette, R.
This compilation of North American building studies, presented to Industry Canada, demonstrates that the greener the building, the higher the net present value.

GSA LEED Cost Study
October 2004, Steven Winter Associates, Inc.
The U.S. General Services Administration commissioned this report to estimate soft and hard costs for developing green federal facilities.

Costing Green: A Comprehensive Cost Database and Budgeting Methodology
July 2004, Davis Langdon
Based on an in-depth study of the cost of sustainable buildings, this report concludes that there is no significant difference in the construction costs for LEED versus non-LEED buildings.

Benefits Guide: A Design Professional’s Guide to High Performance Office Building Benefits
2004, New Buildings Institute, Inc.
This guide helps architects, designers, real estate developers and building owners to educate clients on the business benefits of high performance commercial design.

Managing the Costs of Green Buildings: K-12 Public Schools, Research Laboratories, Public Libraries, Multi-family Affordable Housing
October 2003, KEMA
Based on research conducted by Alameda County Waste Management Authority and the State of California, this paper describes how to manage the costs of green building projects.

The Costs and Financial Benefits of Green Buildings
October 2003, Kats, G.
This report to California's Sustainable Building Task Force includes LEED building analysis.

Green City Buildings: Applying the LEED Rating System
June 2000, XENERGY Inc. & SERA Architects
A cost/benefit analysis of applying LEED design criteria to city buildings, prepared for the Portland Energy Office.

Green Economy

More Green Jobs and Green Economy resources »

Unlocking Energy Efficiency in the U.S. Economy
July 2009, McKinsey & Company
Co-sponsored by the U.S. Green Building Council this report examines the potential within the United States economy to increase energy-efficiency in non-transportation related sectors, including residential and commercial buildings. The report contains a systematic analysis of existing barriers, and provides a framework of solutions to achieve maximum potential gains.

The Positive Economics of Climate Change Policies: What the Historical Evidence Can Tell Us
July 2009, Laitner, J.
In this report the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) shows that most economic projections underestimate the potential benefits of increased investment in energy-efficient technologies. The report examines existing economic and historical data, and concludes that shifting investment towards energy-efficiency and innovation could achieve considerable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, while also having a net positive impact on the U.S. economy.

The Economic Benefits of Investing in Clean Energy
June 2009, Pollin, R., Heintz, J. & Garrett-Peltier, H.
This analysis expects the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the proposed American Clean Energy and Security Act to generate $150 billion annually in clean energy investments and 1.7 million new jobs.

Current and Potential Green Jobs in the U.S. Economy
October 2008, U.S. Conference of Mayors & Mayors Climate Protection Center
This study measures how many direct and indirect jobs are in the emerging U.S. green economy. Currently, the economy generates more than 750,000 green jobs and is projected to create 4.2 million green jobs over the next 30 years. Economic opportunities for the green building sector are also outlined in this report.

Green Recovery: A Program to Create Good Jobs and Start Building a Low-Carbon Economy
September 2008, Pollin, R. et. al for Center of American Progress
This report describes a green economic recovery program that would create 2 million jobs over the next two years. Of the six key infrastructure investment strategies outlined, retrofitting buildings is considered the “most obvious” option for green investment.

Green Jobs: Towards Decent Work in a Sustainable, Low-Carbon World
September 2008, Worldwatch Institute for United Nations Environment Programme
This comprehensive report presents quantifications, estimates, and projections for green jobs around the world. Energy-efficiency measures in the building sector, notably green building and retrofitting, are highlighted as primary drivers in the growing green economy.

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency: Economic Drivers for the 21st Century
2007, Bezdek, R. for the American Solar Energy Society
A study on the current and future state of the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries in the United States. The report found that 40 million Americans could be employed in these industries by 2030, generating $4.53 trillion in annual revenue.

Healthy Communities

Neighborhood Greenness and 2-Year Changes in Body Mass Index of Children and Youth
2008, Bell, J.F. et. al
This study found that children and youth living in neighborhoods with green space (yards, parks, vacant lots, etc.) had lower body mass index (BMI) scores than their counterparts in less-green neighborhoods. Residential density had no effect on BMI scores, presumably because children and youth are less likely to constrain physical activity to sidewalks and streets.

Understanding the Relationship Between Public Health and the Built Environment: A Report Prepared for the LEED-ND Core Committee
May 2006, Ewing, R. & Kreutzer, R.
This report summarizes the relationship between how our communities are built and a series of public health outcomes such as physical activity, traffic accidents, respiratory health and mental health.

Measuring the Health Effects of Sprawl: A National Analysis of Physical Activity, Obesity and Chronic Disease
September 2003, Smart Growth America
This study found that people who live in counties marked by sprawl-style development tend to weigh more, are more likely to be obese and are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure.

Healthy Places: Publications and Selected Current Projects
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC’s Healthy Places program focuses on aspects of the environment that can lead to healthier communities and healthier people. This web page lists the program's most significant research projects.

Land Use & Transportation

Opportunities to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions through Materials and Land Management Practice
September 2009, U.S. EPA
This report conducted by the U.S. EPA’s Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) explores the connection between climate change, and materials and land management practices in the United States.

Moving Cooler: An Analysis of Transportation Strategies for ReducingGreenhouse Gas Emissions
July 2009, Cambridge Systematics, Inc.
This report, published by the Urban Land Institute, evaluates multiple transportation efficiency strategies for their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The study finds that ‘bundles’ of complimentary strategies can achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, fuel consumption, and consumer transportation costs.

Neighborhood Greenness and 2-Year Changes in Body Mass Index of Children and Youth
2008, Bell, J.F. et. al
This study found that children and youth living in neighborhoods with green space (yards, parks, vacant lots, etc.) had lower body mass index (BMI) scores than their counterparts in less-green neighborhoods. Residential density had no effect on BMI scores, presumably because children and youth are less likely to constrain physical activity to sidewalks and streets.

Capturing the Value of Transit
November 2008, Center for Transit-Oriented Development
Prepared for the U.S. Department of Transportation, this report focuses specifically on the potential to capture increased property values for the purpose of funding transit. Although the amount of property value created in any particular location is influenced by a host of factors, the overall value premium for properties near transit appears to be increasing over time. This research suggests several key findings that will be useful when devising a value capture strategy that benefits both the public and the private sector.

Measuring the Air Quality and Transportation Impacts of Infill Development
November 2007, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
This study illustrates how regions can calculate the benefits of communities that balance transportation needs with community revitalization and environmental protection.

Market Analysis & Surveys

2008 Green Building Market Barometer
November 2008, Turner Construction Company
This survey found that commercial real estate executives viewed green buildings as having lower energy, operating and lifecycle costs, higher building values, asking rents and occupancy rates. Moreover, 75% said that market conditions will not discourage them from building green.

2008 IBT Market Pulse Survey: A Different Shade of Green
2008, IBT Enterprises
The results of this survey found that three-quarters of financial institution executives who are planning new building projects or renovations say green building materials and practices, energy efficiency, and indoor air quality are important to their financial institutions.

SmartMarket Reports
McGraw-Hill Construction's SmartMarket Reports cover market trends and opportunities for the green building industry. Reports on corporate America, health care, education, residential construction and other topics are currently available for purchase directly from McGraw-Hill Construction.

Turner Green Buildings Surveys
Turner Construction's surveys of executives and builders have found that the benefits of green building far outweigh the costs.

Building Design + Construction White Papers
October 2003- present, Building Design + Construction
Annual white papers on the green building industry.

Energy Efficiency in Buildings: Business Realities and Opportunities
2007, World Business Council on Sustainable Development
This report combines the findings from existing research and stakeholder dialogues during hearings, workshops, and forums with a breakthrough market research study that measures the stakeholder perceptions of sustainable buildings around the world.

Lessons Learned: The Costs & Benefits of High Performance Buildings
2006, Earth Day Network
An ongoing "Lessons Learned" series that contains chapters on economics, strategies and market applications.

Occupant Satisfaction, Health & Productivity

Energy Savings and Performance Gains in GSA Buildings: Seven Cost-Effective Strategies
March 2009, U.S. General Services Administration
In order to assess federal workstation performance, this study measured environmental conditions in 22 federal buildings and surveyed over 6,000 federal workers. Based on the results, the GSA Workplace Performance Study team recommends seven cost-effective strategies, applicable to every existing federal facility and workplace, that can save energy and increase end user satisfaction.

Public Health and Economic Impact of Dampness and Mold
2007, Mudarri, D. & Fisk, W.
This study found that exposure to dampness and mold in buildings poses significant public health and economic risks. 21% of asthma cases in the U.S. are attributable to dampness and mold exposure in the home, resulting in an economic impact of $3.5 billion each year.

Sound Control for Improved Outcomes in Healthcare Settings
January 2007, Joseph, A. & Ulrich, R.
This paper examines how different aspects of sound impact patient and staff outcomes in healthcare settings and the specific environmental design strategies that can be used to improve the acoustical environment of healthcare settings.

Understanding the Relationship Between Public Health and the Built Environment: A Report Prepared for the LEED-ND Core Committee
May 2006, Ewing, R. & Kreutzer, R.
This report summarizes the relationship between how our communities are built and a series of public health outcomes such as physical activity, traffic accidents, respiratory health and mental health.

Occupant Satisfaction with Indoor Environmental Quality in Green Buildings
2006, Center for the Built Environment, University of California Berkeley
The results of this indoor environmental quality survey found that on average, occupants in green office buildings were more satisfied with thermal comfort and air quality in their workspace than their non-green counterparts.

Green Schools:Attributes for Health and Learning
2006, National Research Council
This report reviews and analyzes the results of studies on green schools and discusses the effects of green schools on student learning and teacher productivity. This report is available for purchase through the National Academies Press website.

The Human Factors of Sustainable Building Design: Post Occupancy Evaluation of the Philip Merrill Environmental Center
2005, Heerwagen, J. & Zagreus, L.
This study evaluated occupant satisfaction in the first LEED Platinum building in the United States. Building occupants demonstrate 90% satisfaction with daylighting and 80% experience high levels of workplace morale. Moreover, the building achieved the highest level of air quality satisfaction in the entire Center for the Built Environment survey database.

Within These Walls
2005, Leaman, L
Based upon building occupant surveys, this report describes basic occupant needs and lays out a series of best practices for meeting these needs through building design and management.

Outdoor Air Ventilation and Work-related Symptoms in U.S. Office Buildings - Results from the BASE Study
2005, Mendell, M.J. et. al
This study of 100 representative office buildings found that higher ventilation rates result in fewer reported Sick Building Syndrome symptoms.

Effect of Temperature on Task Performance in Office Environment
2005, Seppänen, O. et. al
A formal statistical analysis of office, laboratory and classroom studies found that as indoor air temperature rises or falls below 71° F, work performance decreases.

A Summary of Studies Related to Student Health and Productivity
2003, Massachusetts Technology Collaborative - Green Schools Initiative
This report summarizes studies that address student health and productivity, as they relate to daylighting and indoor air quality.

Acoustical Barriers to Learning
2003, Nelson, P., Sigfrid, S. & Seltz, A.
This publication provides a comprehensive review of studies that examine the effects of classroom noise on academic performance.

Green Buildings, Organizational Success, and Occupant Productivity
2000, Heerwagen, J.
This paper links building design, organizational performance, and human factors research, suggesting that green buildings provide economic and organizational benefits for business.

Health and Productivity Gains from Better Indoor Environments and their Relationship with Building Energy Efficiency
2000, Fisk, W.
This paper examines the financial gains from better indoor environments, such as reduced allergies and asthma, reduced sick building syndrome symptoms and direct improvements in worker performance.

Daylighting in Schools: An Investigation into the Relationship Between Daylighting and Human Performance
1999, Heschong Mahone Group, Inc.
This study found compelling links between daylighting in schools and student performance.

Skylighting and Retail Sales: An Investigation into the Relationship Between Daylighting and Human Performance
1999, Heschong Mahone Group
This study of the effect of daylighting on retail sales found that chain stores would benefit from 40% higher sales with the addition of skylights.

Analysis of the Performance of Students in Daylit Schools
1996, Innovative Design
This study on student performance found that students in full-spectrum light not only were healthier, but they also had more positive moods.

A Study Into the Effects of Light on Children of Elementary School Age - A Case of Daylight Robbery
1992, Hathaway, W.E. et. al
This report explores the effects of various lighting systems on elementary school student health and academic performance. Students exposed to ultraviolet light exhibited better health and classroom performance than students who under high pressure sodium vapor lighting.

Processes for Design, Delivery & Operations

Best Practices in Commissioning Existing Buildings
2008, Building Commissioning Association
The BCA Board of Directors created this comprehensive document detailing the industry’s best practices in commissioning existing buildings.

The Cost-Effectiveness of Commercial-Buildings Commissioning: A Meta-Analysis of Energy and Non-Energy Impacts in Existing Buildings and New Construction in the United States
2004, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
This analysis of published and unpublished data from building commissioning projects undertaken across the United States over the past two decades found commissioning to be one of the most cost-effective means of improving energy efficiency in commercial buildings.

Commissioning for Better Buildings in Oregon
PECI, for Oregon Office of Energy
A building commissioning toolkit which aims to ensure that high performance buildings operate at optimal productivity. This resource outlines the commissioning process, costs, benefits and case studies of successful projects.

Advanced Customer Technology Test for Maximum Energy Efficiency (ACT2) Project: The Final Report
1996, Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Department of Research and Development
This experimental project run by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) showed that an integrated design approach results in 40-50% energy savings for retrofit projects and 55–65% energy reduction for new construction sites.

Real Estate Management & Value

How Green a Recession? – Sustainability Prospects in the US Real Estate Industry
January 2009, RREEF Research
This report examines the status of green building with respect to the current economic downturn and dropping energy prices. The findings show that even under these conditions, the case for green real estate remains strong and opportunities for cash-rich investors to add green buildings their portfolios may emerge.

Doing Well by Doing Good? Green Office Buildings
January 2009, Eichholtz, P., Kok, N., & Quigley, J.
This study provides evidence that rents for green offices are about two percent higher than rents for comparable buildings located nearby. Moreover, effective rents or rents adjusted for the occupancy levels in office buildings are about six percent higher in green buildings than in comparable office buildings nearby.

Globalization and Global Greening Trends in Green Real Estate Investment
September 2008, RREEF Research
This report examines the forces affecting property sustainability in major regions around the globe. The study found that major corporate tenants are pursuing greener facilities worldwide. However, a gap exists between available green building space and tenant demand, creating green building investment, particularly in the United States.

Does Green Pay Off?
July 2008, Miller, N., Spivey, J. & Florance, A.
This study concludes that LEED certified and Energy Star rated buildings command higher rental rates and sales prices, and achieve higher occupancy rates. Moreover, the analysis estimates that sales price per square foot was approximately 10% higher for LEED certified buildings and approximately 6% higher for Energy Star rated.

The Greening of U.S. Investment Real Estate – Market Fundamentals, Prospects and Opportunities
November 2007, RREEF Research
This paper explores why the U.S. institutional investment real estate sector is likely to embrace sustainable building principles. The paper also documents trends in green building and focuses on the key drivers for green building investment – as well as the barriers that have limited this investment up to now.

Federal Leadership by Example on Energy Conservation: No-Cost Quick and Easy Steps for Immediate Results
July 2007, Walraven, B., USAA Real Estate Company
This testimony before a Hearing of the U.S. House of Representatives is about the commitment made by the real estate sector in the U.S. to reduce energy consumption. Ms. Walraven's testimony includes estimates of the financial benefits from low- and no-cost energy efficiency retrofits.

The Energy Challenge, a New Agenda for Corporate Real Estate
April 2007, Rocky Mountain Institute & CoreNet Global
This report describes and recommends energy efficiency action plans that will result in very large energy and cost savings for corporate real estate and service providers.

To Be Green or Not to Be Green? Why that is Not the Question?
2007, Prudential Real Estate Investors
This report discusses how tenant demand, decreasing costs associated with building green and risk management are influencing the extent to which real estate investors and developers are building green.

Recognition Of Energy Costs and Energy Performance In Commercial Property Valuation
February 1999, Chao, M., Parker, G., Mahone, D. & Kammerud, R.
This paper offers guidance to appraisers and other real estate stakeholders on enhanced methods for energy reporting.

Social Equity

Development that Adds Up: Accounting for the Social Bottom Line of Triple Bottom Line Investment
January 2009, Hammer, J.
The “triple bottom line” is a view of sustainability that includes economic, environmental and social factors. Through review of existing frameworks and conversations with community leaders, this briefing paper provides the groundwork for defining and measuring the social bottom line.

Please note that the USGBC may not be held liable for the contents of non-USGBC research and publications nor the omission of documents.

U.S. Green Building Council