Green Building Reaches the Tipping Point in Higher Education

A nice report summary from APPA (PDF):

In August of 2007, Building Design & Construction magazine surveyed a scientifically drawn sample of members from three major higher education professional organizations: APPA; the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP); and the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). Together, the three groups represent a diverse workforce within the U.S. higher education sector. Recipients of the online survey were asked to gauge their level of knowledge, interest, and action with regard to green buildings and sustainable practices at their institution.

Principal findings of the survey

Nearly nine in ten (85%) respondents said they have incorporated sustainable design and green building principles in recent building projects, and just 5% said they have no plans to incorporate green in future building projects.

Both SCUP and APPA members have seen a sharp increase in green building projects, compared to 2004. About half (47%) of SCUP respondents said they have incorporated
sustainable strategies “quite extensively” in recent building projects, up from 26% in 2004. While 42% of APPA members have implemented green extensively, up from 14% in 2004. The green adoption rate among AASHE members is at a healthy level as well, with 86% having incorporated sustainable design in recent projects, 40% having done so extensively.

About half (47%) of respondents said they are willing to pay up to 5% more for green, and about one-fifth said they would fork out an additional 6 to 10%. Just 9% of respondents across the three groups said a cost premium for green is not acceptable.

Relatively low-cost approaches for reducing energy consumption—including energy management, automated lighting controls, and daylighting - topped the list of sustainable action items that have been implemented or are planned for upcoming projects. Strategies for improving indoor air quality are also popular.

[more (PDF)]