proof that buildings can be a delight

I am not sure that this building at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore would score well under an environmental performance rating system, but for a large-scale modern building, the green roof is stunning.

And speaking of building performance, a new report published by the Commission for Environmental Co-operation (CEC) says it is possible for the most efficient buildings to consume 70% less energy than conventional properties. And since almost three quarters of the buildings that will be standing in 2050 have already been built, we'd better get on with changing the way new ones are designed, and retrofitting existing building stock.

"Improving our built environment is probably the single greatest opportunity to protect and enhance the natural environment," said CEC executive director Adrian Vazquez. [...] "Green building represents some of the ripest 'low-hanging fruit' for achieving significant reductions in climate change emissions."

But apart from a few (very few) property developers who see a market for green buildings, there is very little incentive to improve energy efficiency and reduce resource consumption and emissions: only 0.5% of homes in the US and Canada could be considered "green".

"At the moment, there is no real reason for the private sector to change its practice from a purely financial standpoint," explained Jonathan Westeinde, chairman of the CEC advisory group.

"Generally, because of the leasing and financing structures, there is a split incentive between the owner or developer who is making the financial investments, and the tenant or occupier who will benefit. I think this is where the biggest hurdle remains."