With a push from society, green buildings can cut CO2 emissions

Imagine buildings that have high-efficiency windows and insulation in walls; water that is collected, used, purified and reused on site; construction materials and interior finish products with zero or low emissions; careful integration of natural and artificial light sources; and energy generated from photovoltaic or solar panels…

These are just a few features of green buildings, also known as sustainable or green construction, developed to meet humanity’s need for more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly construction practices. “As we were trying to decide which topic will be the hottest one in the next 10 years, we decided that it would be the topic of green buildings,” said Barış Onay, assistant general manager of the Building Information Center (YEM), which provides information for professionals of building products and technologies. Onay said they increasingly allocate more resources and space to the topic because there is demand for it, mostly because of the fact that the building sector is the number one source in contributing to the increase in greenhouse gas emissions, especially carbon dioxide, blamed for climate change. “Number two is transportation, and number three is industry,” he stated. There are a number of motives for building green buildings, including environmental, economic and social benefits. “Buildings that are painted green are green only in color,” Onay said, adding that building green involves creating structures and using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource efficient throughout a building’s lifecycle, from site to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation and deconstruction. Another aspect in that regard is green retrofitting, which is about making existing buildings more energy efficient. According to various research done, green buildings can reduce energy use by 24-50 percent, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 33-39 by percent, water use by 40 percent and solid waste by 70 percent. And there are business benefits, too, such as decreases in operating costs, increases in building value and return on investment. Eight countries -- the United States, Australia, Spain, the United Kingdom, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Russia and Canada -- came together in 1999 in California to establish the World Green Building Council. In 2007 Turkey established the Association of Environmentally Friendly Green Buildings (ÇEDBİK). Technology is available, but… Onay pointed out that technology to have green buildings in Turkey is possible and that Turkish professionals are able to utilize it. However, he stated that the problem is in the implementation because there needs to be demand for those environmentally sensitive buildings. “There are so many shanty settlements in Turkey. It has become almost a state policy. We cannot talk about green buildings when there are so many irregular, illegal activities when it comes to the building sector,” he said, adding that for Turkish society he is hopeful for the next generation, which will develop more sensitivity toward the issue since it will become more of a matter of survival. For now, he said, even some simple measures like having proper insulation in buildings can save people from losses in terms of both lira and energy. There are still some Don Quixotes who exist against all odds. One construction firm, Varyap, is building the Meridian project, which is a candidate to be the first building to have the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certificate from the United States. Onay said some builders of malls in Turkey are trying to obtain the BREEAM, which is the BRE Environmental Assessment Method, a certificate from the United Kingdom. There is also one effort to develop Turkey’s first green building at İstanbul Technical University’s (İTÜ) Ayazağa campus. “It will be an example for tomorrow’s architects and engineers, for them to touch and see what it is and how it is done,” Onay said for the project coordinated by YEM. The “Ecobuilding” will have active and passive energy producers such as photovoltaic panels, solar termic collectors, heat pumps and wind generators. Rainwater will be collected and purified for use. Bathroom faucets with sensors and solid waste treatment are only a few other features to be employed in the building. YONCA POYRAZ DOĞAN İSTANBUL