Building Green for the Future - US Environmental Protection Agency

20 the market for green buildings
The Market for Green Buildings
The market for green or sustainable buildings has
experienced significant demand increases over the past
several years. In just five short years, USGBC LEEDcertified
buildings have captured nearly 3% of the
entire new building market in the United States, and
the number of projects registering for certification
continues to grow: over 670 new LEED registrations
occurred in 2004 (See Figure 1). Jerry Yudelson, author
of The Insider’s Guide to Marketing Green Buildings
and USGBC board member, believes that this growth
rate will continue far into the future.
The Figure market 1
for these buildings is broad and deep.
Educational buildings and commercial offices represent
1/3 of all LEED buildings, and green buildings are
popping up in all building categories (see Figure 3).
Buildings registered for LEED certification are located
in all 50 states, clearly demonstrating the extensive
reach of the market. As the market begins to better
understand green and sustainable buildings, as well
as the far-reaching benefits of these buildings, demand
will continue to grow. Additional information about
LEED and the USGBC is located on pg 24.
LEED-Registered Projects in the US
The Market in Michigan
With nine LEED-certified projects, Michigan ranks
6th in the US behind California (34), Washington (20),
Pennsylvania (16), Oregon (14), and Georgia (10) -
(see Figure 2). In addition to the nine projects already
LEED certified in Michigan, 59 additional projects
have registered for certification (see Figure 3 for a
categorical breakdown of all LEED-certified and
registered buildings in Michigan).
Source: USGBC LEED registered and certified projects.
“I’m not sure that anyone could have predicted the
rapid expansion of the market for high performance,
sustainable green buildings, but the demand is
undeniable. . . . Everything has changed.”
- Pamela Lippe, Executive Director of Earth Day
New York (preface to “The Costs and Benefits of
High Performance Buildings”)
Project Type Registered Projects Percent of Total
Commercial Office 470 18%
Education (K-12 & Higher) 429 16%
Multi-Unit Residential (apartment, dormitories) 148 6%
Laboratory 147 5%
Assembly (conv. center, place of worship, theater) 143 5%
Interpretive Center (museum, visitor center, zoo) 142 5%
Library 121 5%
Industrial (manufacturing, warehouse, pub. works) 118 4%
Campus (corporate campus school) 116 4%
Retail (store, supermarket, art gallery) 113 4%
source: www.usgbc.org/leed/project/stats