Research indicates that green certification lowers the cost of capital for real estate investors, according to a recent column at GlobeSt.
The reasoning is that certified buildings have a more attractive risk profile and may be more resilient during tough economic times, according to Dr. Nils Kok, associate professor at Maastricht University, the article says. Some studies have shown that commercial mortgages for green-certified buildings have significantly lower default rates.
Indeed, evidence is growing bolstering the notion that sustainability correlates with stronger financial performance in the commercial real estate sector. One recent report found that buildings certified by ENERGY STAR and/or LEED sell for about 10.1% more than non-green certified buildings. Green buildings were found to lease for rates that are 2.2% higher than average, and effective cash flows are 4.6% higher.
Additional data indicates that there is a rapidly growing market for green bonds that invest funds for new sustainable buildings and renovations of existing structures.
Related Stories
| Jun 14, 2012
AGC, other business groups oppose hiring rules for disabled
Business groups have asked the U.S. Department of Labor to reconsider a proposed hiring quota aimed at federal contractors pertaining to people with disabilities.
| Jun 5, 2012
HP Labs aims for net-zero energy data centers
Building sustainable data centers is one of the goals of HP Labs, and it believes technology, combined with the right building techniques, could result in the construction of energy-efficient data centers.
| Jun 5, 2012
USGBC delays LEED 2012; renames it LEED v4
In response to concerns by LEED users, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced that it will delay the ballot on LEED 2012 until June 1, 2013.
| Jun 5, 2012
Baltimore officials vow to block $1.8 billion urban renewal project
Baltimore officials want to block a $1.8 billion urban renewal project until more neighborhood residents and minority contractors are hired and displaced residents can benefit from the revitalization.
| Jun 5, 2012
OSHA launches campaign to warn of heat dangers in outdoor work
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has begun a campaign to warn outdoor workers about the dangers of heat exposure.
| Jun 5, 2012
AGC’s Safety and Health Conference focuses on regulations, legislation
More than 150 industry professionals and other attendees will participate in the Associated General Contractors of America’s (AGC’s) safety and health conference July 11-13 in Washington, D.C.
| Jun 1, 2012
New BD+C University Course on Insulated Metal Panels available
By completing this course, you earn 1.0 HSW/SD AIA Learning Units.
| May 31, 2012
Proposed change in Michigan’s building code would hurt innovation, say critics
Legislation pending before the Michigan Senate would change the law that calls for building codes to be updated every three years to require an update only every six years.
