Green Buildings

Abstract

This Green Buildings presents an overview of green buildings and is divided into three sections. The first section discusses what makes buildings green and gives several definitions of green building. The second section discusses the environmental impacts of traditional buildings and explains common green building practices with respect to siting, energy efficiency, water efficiency, building materials, occupant health and well-being, and construction and demolition waste. The third section discusses the role of lawyers in the green building field. This chapter provides a brief overview of issues that are discussed in more detail in subsequent chapters. Citations to these later chapters are included where applicable.