The creation of a 'green' skillset and economy in Malta?

Over the past 20 years, the building industry has systematically reduced design and construction costs as building codes around the globe become stricter, supply chains for green materials and technologies reach maturation and the design profession becomes more dexterous at delivering cost-effective green building design. Green building has inspired countless material, product and process innovations that have speeded up the adoption of green design, construction, and operations across the globe. Today, green building is a half-trillion dollar industry in the United States, and more than a trillion dollar industry worldwide.

Back in 2013 the World Green Building Council published a report, The Case for Green Building. It presents strong evidence that going green is good for business – sometimes even for unexpected reasons. For example, green buildings with more daylight and better air-quality enhance the wellbeing of the users with evidence with better all round performance in the work place.

Now it is a matter of mind-set. Everyone engaged in the development of our societies needs to realise that it takes a new approach to really succeed. Green is not a bolt-on gadget – key to success is to make green an integrated and natural part of the process from the first day of planning and through the entire life of a building. What owners, authorities, developers, builders, tenants and even users – decide to do today will have a lasting impact. After a decade of lessons learned we now know green buildings are high-performing in every aspect – environmentally and socially as well as economically.

The WGBC Report demonstrates beyond doubt that green building is now a global movement, and that sustainability delivers benefits well beyond the environmental. With the strain on our environment becoming more evident as buildings and cities continue to grow in parallel with global populations, each country should have their own agenda on sustainable development. On a global scale, everyone needs to be involved and consciously contributing to the cause.

“Economics is as much an important driver for sustainability along with the environment, society and culture. Here in Malta we need to diversify in order to create a beneficial effect and a better environment. ”

Economics is as much an important driver for sustainability along with the environment, society and culture. Here in Malta we need to diversify in order to create a beneficial effect and a better environment. What is clear is that there is mounting evidence that in many markets across the world, part of being a better quality building means being a green building. In premium markets in particular, green is increasingly expected by tenants and owners – it is just part of what good ‘quality’ means.

With so many drivers for green buildings at play, and many parts of the world still at the nascent phase of green building, there can be no doubt that the business case for green building will continue to evolve as markets mature. Green building is something that tenants, investors and policy makers will come to demand and expect over time – indeed we have already seen this momentum grow globally where in more and more places, green is now becoming the status quo.

Governments must be persuaded to leverage and enforce green building policies to support local economies and meet their long-term goals. With this foundation, we call on the private and public sectors to use their collective knowledge and strength to move the green building agenda forward, knowing that it benefits people and the environment - and their bottom lines.

Get involved. Contact us if you are interested or want to know more about how we can pool resources here in Malta.

(Abridged from the WGBC Report: The Case for Green Building, first published 2013).