Value Beyond Cost Savings - Green Building Finance Consortium

Value Beyond Cost Savings: How to Underwrite Sustainable Propertiesanalyses. One such framework is presented below in Exhibit V-4 and discussed in moredetail in Appendix F. Public benefits research is also presented in the Research Library andIndustry Links sections of the Consortium’s website under index codes 1.5, 7.9, 11.0,15.67, 15.77 and 20.5.Exhibit V-4Public Benefits of Sustainable BuildingsReduce Infrastructure Costs• Water collection, storage, treatment and distribution• Energy production and distribution• Road & bridge construction/maintenance• More efficient use of existing infrastructureEnvironmental & Resource Conservation Benefits• Conservation of natural resources• Reduce carbon output• Landfill reduction• Reduce air pollution• Reduce water pollution• Increase biodiversity• Reduce soil erosion• Reduce deforestation• Reduce desertification• Preserve ozone layer• Reduce drought riskLand Use Benefits• Preserve open space and natural habitat• Protect agricultural land• Maintain vibrant urban areas• Reduce traffic congestionClimate Change Reduction• Reduce vulnerability to climate change• Reduce costs to respond to change• Reduce spread of infectious respiratory disease• Reduce acidification• Contribute to many environmental and resource conservation benefits• Improve public healthEconomic Benefits• Job creation• Improve public health and well-being• Reduce insurance costs• Reduce public health costs—Medicare• Government worker productivity: reduce government costs• Worker productivity: increase earnings and tax revenues• Community competitiveness—quality of lifeSecurity Benefits• Reduce reliance on foreign energy sources105