A Comparison between Sustainable Buildings and Green Buildings

 

Have you ever wondered if there’s a difference between Green Buildings and Sustainable Buildings, or if both terms have the same meaning? So, this article is about to clarify all your doubts. We first talk about Sustainable Buildings, and then Green Buildings. Finally, let’s compare the similarities and differences between both meanings and find the answer to your question!

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Global Warming and Sustainable Buildings

Before we move to the concept of sustainable buildings we must have a basic idea about the purpose of sustainable buildings. The below paragraphs are for those who are not aware of the impact of global warming. If you already have a basic idea about climate change and the contribution of the construction industry to minimize the negative impacts of it, you can skip this sub-topic.

Impacts of Climate Change: Air Pollution at Beijing

Global warming refers to the long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to human activities, primarily the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). Sustainable buildings play a crucial role in addressing and mitigating the impacts of global warming. Here's how they are connected:

Reduced Carbon Emissions: By using less energy and relying on cleaner sources, these buildings contribute to a reduction in carbon emissions. The construction and operation of traditional buildings are significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, so designing and operating buildings sustainably can help mitigate the overall impact.

Energy Efficiency: By reducing energy consumption, they indirectly contribute to lowering the demand for energy production, which often involves the burning of fossil fuels, a major source of greenhouse gas emissions.

Use of Renewable Energy: Sustainable buildings often incorporate renewable energy technologies such as solar panels, wind turbines, or geothermal systems. These sources generate electricity without emitting greenhouse gases, directly contributing to the reduction of the carbon footprint associated with energy consumption.

Adaptation and Resilience: This can include considerations for extreme weather events, rising temperatures, and other climate-related challenges. By adapting to a changing climate, these buildings can better withstand the effects of global warming.

In summary, sustainable buildings are integral to the global effort to address climate change and mitigate the impacts of global warming. By promoting energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and inspiring environmentally friendly practices, sustainable buildings contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future.

Sustainable Buildings

Hope you now have a primary idea what is the intention behind making sustainable buildings.

If we talk about sustainable buildings more, they are called also green hat buildings or eco-friendly buildings. The main objective of these buildings is to reduce their overall ecological footprint by employing sustainable practices throughout their life cycle.

Proposed Residential Building in Mexico with Vertical Gardens

Let’s quickly go through some key aspects of sustainable buildings:

Energy Efficiency: Sustainable buildings prioritize energy efficiency to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. This can involve the use of energy-efficient appliances, lighting, and HVAC systems, as well as the integration of renewable energy sources such as solar panels.

Water Efficiency: Sustainable buildings incorporate water-saving technologies and practices to minimize water consumption. This may involve the use of low-flow faucets and toilets, rainwater harvesting systems, and landscaping designs that require less water.

Material and Resources: Sustainable buildings use environmentally friendly materials that are sourced responsibly, have low environmental impact, and are often recycled or recyclable. Additionally, construction waste is minimized through recycling and proper disposal practices.

Indoor Air Quality: Sustainable buildings prioritize indoor air quality by using materials and finishes that emit fewer pollutants. Proper ventilation systems are also employed to ensure a healthy and comfortable indoor environment.

Site Selection and Design: Sustainable building practices include thoughtful site selection and design to minimize the impact on ecosystems and natural resources. This may involve preserving green spaces, using permeable surfaces to reduce water runoff, and incorporating landscaping that requires minimal maintenance.

Adaptability and Durability: Sustainable buildings are designed to be durable and adaptable, reducing the need for frequent renovations or replacements. This contributes to a longer building life cycle and reduces overall resource consumption.

Waste Reduction: Sustainable buildings aim to minimize waste during construction and operation. This involves recycling and reusing materials, as well as implementing waste management practices to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills.

In short words, Sustainable Buildings contribute to environmental conservation, reduce operating costs, and create healthier and more comfortable spaces for occupants. 

Green Buildings

At first glance concept of the green buildings looks very similar to green buildings. It is also designed, constructed, and operated with a focus on minimizing environmental impact and promoting sustainability. Compared to the sustainable buildings, green buildings have similar key features like:

1.Energy Efficiency

2. Water Conservation

3. Sustainable Materials

4. Waste Reduction

5. Indoor Air Quality

6. Site Selection and Design

7. Certifications

8. Smart Building Technologies

9. Biodiversity and Green Spaces

10. Education and Awareness

As an additional point, certification programs about Green Buildings play a significant role in standardizing and recognizing the sustainability achievements of Green Buildings. Let’s talk about Green Buildings and the certification process in another article!

Are Green Buildings and Sustainable Buildings the same?

Now we arrived at the main point of our discussion. Are Green Buildings and Sustainable Buildings the same? Or does it have different characteristics than the Sustainable Building? Does Green Buildings have a more commercial interface compared to Sustainable Buildings? Let’s investigate the answer to it!

An Example of a Green Biopic Building which Provides a Healthy Indoor Environment for its Occupants

The terms "green buildings" and "sustainable buildings" are often used interchangeably, but there are subtle differences in their meanings. Both concepts share the goal of reducing the environmental impact of buildings, but they emphasize different aspects and considerations. Let’s start breakdown of the key distinctions between Green Buildings and Sustainable Buildings as below:

Scope of Environmental Considerations:

Green Buildings: The term "green building" tends to focus more specifically on environmental aspects such as energy and resource efficiency, water conservation, and minimizing the environmental impact of the building's construction and operation.

Sustainable Buildings: "Sustainable building" has a broader scope that encompasses environmental considerations but also includes social and economic aspects. Sustainability looks at the long-term impact of a building on the environment, society, and the economy, aiming for a balance between these three pillars.

Life Cycle Approach:

Green Buildings: Green building practices often emphasize features and technologies that reduce environmental impact during the operational phase of a building's life, such as energy-efficient systems and renewable energy sources.

Sustainable Buildings: Sustainable building takes a holistic, life-cycle approach. It considers not only the operational phase but also the entire life cycle of the building, including design, construction, maintenance, and end-of-life considerations. This approach looks at the broader impacts of a building throughout its existence.

     Social and Economic Considerations:

Green Buildings: While green buildings prioritize environmental considerations, they may not always give equal weight to social and economic aspects.

Sustainable Buildings: Sustainability encompasses not only environmental factors but also social and economic dimensions. This includes considerations for the well-being of occupants, community engagement, economic viability, and the building's contribution to overall societal health and welfare.

Certification Systems:

Green Buildings: Various certification systems, such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), often use the term "green building" to designate structures meeting specific environmental criteria.

Sustainable Buildings: The term "sustainable building" is more inclusive and may not always be associated with a specific certification system. However, sustainable buildings can also seek certifications, and some certification programs use the term "sustainable" in their criteria.

Flexibility and Adaptability:

Green Buildings: Green building practices may focus on specific technologies or features that enhance environmental performance, such as energy-efficient lighting or rainwater harvesting systems.

Sustainable Buildings: Sustainable building principles often include aspects of adaptability and resilience, considering a building's ability to evolve with changing environmental conditions and societal needs over time.

In essence, while "Green Buildings" typically emphasize environmental efficiency, "Sustainable Buildings" encompass a more comprehensive approach that considers environmental, social, and economic factors throughout the entire life cycle of a building. Both terms reflect a commitment to reducing the environmental impact of the built environment, but sustainable building practices aim to achieve a broader and more balanced set of goals.

We hope that Spacelay has clarified your thoughts about Green Buildings and Sustainable Buildings effectively! If this was helpful to you, please visit us again!

- Chameli Jayawardhana for SpaceLay

22/12/2023