Green building is a holistic concept that starts with an understanding that the built environment can have profound effects, both positive and negative, on the climate, natural environment, and people who occupy buildings daily. Green buildings seek to amplify the positive and mitigate the negative of these effects across the entire life cycle of a building – from design to construction, operation, maintenance, and disposal. Green buildings preserve precious natural resources and improve our quality of life.

There are a number of features which can make a building green. These include:

• Minimal impacts on the site, including the local ecology
• Efficient use of energy, water and other resources.
• Use of renewable energy, such as solar energy.
• Pollution and waste reduction measures, and the enabling of re-use and recycling
• Good indoor environmental air quality.
• The selection and use of materials that are non-toxic, ethical, and sustainable.
• Consideration of the environment in design, construction and operation.
• Consideration of the quality of life of occupants in design, construction and operation.
• A design that enables adaptation to a changing environment.

Any building can be a green building, whether it’s a home, commercial or retail space, factory, office, school, hospital, or community centre, provided it includes the features listed above.

It is worth noting however, that not all green buildings are the same. Different countries and regions have a variety of characteristics which drive the thinking and approach to green building, such as culture, distinct climate conditions, natural environments, and socioeconomic boundaries.