 Canada is a cold climate country, and its citizens spend over 90% of their time inside buildings. Because buildings must be made to be durable and warm to protect against the elements, more emphasis is often placed on these factors than on the environmental impact of the building. Buildings account for 37% of the total primary energy use in Canada and 30% of total greenhouse gas emissions (1). Worldwide, construction activities consume three billion tons of raw materials each year, making up 40% of global material use (2).
Incorporating green materials into the design of a building is an important means of reducing its environmental impact and demand on non-renewable resources. Benefits of using green building materials include
- Conservation of energy during construction and operation of the building;
- Lower construction costs by reusing and recycling existing content;
- Improved occupant health and well-being;
- Reduced maintenance costs during the lifespan of the building;
- Reduced demand on primary and non-renewable resources; and
- Reduced environmental impact associated with material extraction, transport, processing, and disposal (3).
Green building materials are characterized by their reduced impact on the environment, which is mainly attributed to the fact that they are manufactured and/or harvested utilizing innovative technologies and strategies. The extent to which a building design employs green materials is often determined by evaluation through an independent third party organization, such as the LEED, Energy Star, and Green Globes rating systems.
Select a category on the right to learn more about the different characteristics that define green building materials.
Sources:
1 Canada Green Building Council, 2006. Green Buildings in Canada: Overview and Summary of Case Studies.
2 Roodman, D.M. and N. Lenssen, 1995. A Building Revolution: How Ecology and Health Concerns are Transforming Construction. Worldwatch Paper 124. Worldwatch Institute, Washington, DC.
3 California Integrated Waste Management Board, 2008. Green Building Materials (webpage).
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