The global climate change that has been observed for the last several decades is apparent. Most of climate experts agree that the human behavior has considerably affected such changes. Therefore, the global movement, diverted to control the global warming and its consequences, assumes acceleration. “Green” (sustainable) creating is of no exception. Essential attributes of such construction are as follows:

• Effective use of natural resources
• Minimum environmental pollution
• Eco-friendly construction supplies and economic resources (as significantly of natural supplies as feasible)
• Low energy consuming transportation of component parts of the building, which includes construction supplies
• Location next to inhabited localities and public transport stations (minimum use of own vehicles)
• Minimum impact on the landscape as nicely as flora and fauna

Green architecture by EduardoZ.

Just recently accomplished Goldman Sachs study demonstrated that socially responsible organizations operate approximately 25 percent more efficiently than their competitors, which do not follow the aforementioned principles. It should be noted that because 2020 all new buildings and substantial renovations thereof in the EU territory will have to be carbon neutral, which means the minimization of both carbon dioxide and other gases that cause the greenhouse effect (CH4, N2O, HFC, PFC, SF6). In other words, the owners of the buildings, who do not pay attention to the aforementioned tendencies right now, jeopardize themselves to be left with an completely risk asset portfolio. For example, one of the giants of global real estate business – IVG – thinks that in the near future usual buildings, built in accordance with old standards, will have to be sold with considerable discount. Thereby, considering the longevity of the real estate, it is secure to say that the “green” suggestions that are implemented these days establish a solid ground for the financial success to come.

One more large player on the real estate marketplace – Pramerica (manager of German real estate funds – a part of the US Prudential Insurance Group) – strictly complies with the “green” suggestions as well as implements the same in the existing buildings, built in accordance with old standards. The organization has hired a consultant to perform the analysis of 59 buildings owned by it all over the world with a view to increase the ecological efficiency thereof. Pramerica is convinced that only the “green” constructing has future.

The demand for “green” creating is increasing among the investors as well. For example, last year the German Union Investment acquired the certified “green” buildings for over 465 million EUR. In the future the Fund is planning to buy the certified buildings only, though thus far their supply is insufficient. Even though the “energy performance certificates” in Germany have turn into mandatory considering that July 2009, Union Investment has taken a couple of actions forward. The company has worked out the list of requirements for the inspection of any and all acquisitions planned. If the building fails to meet all 5 “green” requirements, the Fund just does not purchase such a creating notwithstanding any other advantages thereof.

The concept of “green” developing in Lithuania still lacks vitality. The opinion that it is a matter of fashion with out any practical use these days and in the future is still essential on the marketplace. Moreover, several associate “green” building with energy saving only and very often do not have any details on other crucial attributes. Extremely few think that the stage of development ought to cover both the use of eco-friendly supplies and respective transportation thereof. “Green” developing must be built in such a location that it could be accessed by utilizing as fewer environment polluting means of transportation as achievable – i.e. at the minimum by the public transport station.

Local developers really should take into account the “green” thought already these days. The global practice demonstrates that extremely soon the buildings, built pursuant to old standards, will become absolutely unrealizable or their value will be substantially lower than of the standardized “green” buildings.

The most common standards of “green” buildings in the world

BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Strategy) is the leading and most widely utilised environmental assessment strategy for buildings, utilised for the assessment of over 200 thousand buildings all over the world (over 100 thousand whereof – residential buildings). Assessment takes location according to 9 categories, subsequently granting the rating in the scale from „satisfactory” to „excellent”. Yet another widely utilized regular is LEED (Leadership in Energy &amp Environmental Design). It is an internationally recognized green building certification system, developed in the USA.