42 Handbook of Green Building Design and Construction

of projects around the world are registered and seeking to achieve LEED
certification.Whereas in 2015, more than 13.8 billion square feet of building
space was LEED-certified (as of August, 2015).
Among the many indicators reflecting global interest in the USGBC
and LEED is evidenced each year by the large attendance and number of
different countries represented at Greenbuild, the USGBC’s International
Conference and Expo. As an example, nearly 17,500 people attended the
Greenbuild 2014 conference in New Orleans, Louisiana (source: USGBC
Green Building Facts), compared to only 4200 who attended the same
event in Austin, TX, in 2002. The attendees at the 2014 New Orleans
Greenbuild included representatives from all 50 states, over 85 countries,
and 6 continents. There were also 552 exhibiting companies participating
in 142,000 square feet of exhibit and display space on the trade show floor.
There growing evidence once again shows that the shift toward green
construction is truly a global trend, with more countries putting more
resources into improving efficiency and sustainability. In 2008, for example,
the McGraw Hill “Global Green Building Trends” states that 67% of global
construction firms reported that at least 16% of their projects are green
buildings. And in 2013 the global green building market grew to $260
billion, including an estimated 20% of all new U.S. commercial real estate
construction. This trend is a clear signal that green construction has not
only become part of the mainstream but can be expected to intensify in
the future in addition to achieving a significant share of the construction
industry’s multi trillion dollar global market.
Europe has reportedly achieved the highest level of sustainable build-
ing activity in the international arena, with an unprecedented 44 %
of European construction firms building green on at least 60% of their
projects. Following, comes North America and Australia but the gaps are
gradually closing. However, Asia has the greatest potential for increasing its
market share, where the number of firms dedicated to green construction is
projected to increase three-fold in the coming years.
It is interesting to note that although the AIA has concluded that build-
ings are the leading source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States,
a recent online survey conducted by Harris Interactive shows that only
4% of US adults were aware of this fact. However, the quantity and qual-
ity of much of the data that generally relate to business and the environ-
ment unfortunately remains inadequate and wanting. It is sad that some
government agencies, corporations, nonprofit groups, and academic insti-
tutions, continue to maintain a lethargic approach and produce relatively