Emission reduction potential of green building materials
The construction sector accounts for more than two-thirds of total greenhouse gas emissions around the globe. Thus, there is a great potential for reducing greenhouse emissions by enhancing the energy efficiency of buildings. Reductions in greenhouse emissions can be accomplished by construction of new green buildings with low energy consumption and by retrofitting existing buildings.
Green building materials promote the conservation of non-renewable resources and reduce environmental impact associated with fabrication, processing, installation, transportation, disposal, and recycling.
They are employed in the construction industry to address various environmental challenges including anomalous climate change, natural resource depletion, atmospheric pollution, contamination of fresh water resources, and loss of biodiversity.
Low operational and maintenance costs and the pressure of environmental regulations pertaining to emissions are the major factors that drive the green building materials market. In addition, governments in developed countries have introduced policies and incentives to encourage green construction, which supplements the growth of this market.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), and Green Building Evaluation Labeling (GBEL) are some of the rating systems for green buildings in the U.S., UK, and China, respectively.
Innovative technologies and increases in R&D activities to study effective design procedures and construction techniques will boost the green building materials market demand. Whilst cost concerns and market barriers may hinder market growth, the growth of construction industry provides a great potential for market expansion.
A wide variety of cost concerns and market barriers exist in the green building construction market including “split incentive” barrier, i.e., owners of the houses don’t make effective investments in their properties as the occupants reap benefits from these investments and not owners. A total of 40% of commercial buildings and 32% of households are rented or leased.
Major players that operate in green building materials market are Alumasc Group Plc (UK), Amvik Systems (Canada), BASF SE (Germany), Bauder Limited (UK), Binderholz GmbH (Germany), E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (U.S.), Forbo International SA (Switzerland), Interface Inc. (U.S.), Kingspan Group plc (Ireland), and Owens Corning (U.S.).
Find out more
Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- BREEAM.
- BREEAM Responsible sourcing of materials.
- Chain of custody.
- Code for Sustainable Homes.
- Embodied energy.
- Environmental plan.
- Life cycle assessment.
- Recyclable construction materials.
- Ska rating.
- Sustainable development.
- Sustainable materials.
- Sustainable timber.
- Sustainability.
- Whole life costs.
Featured articles and news
UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy. In brief with reactions
With the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA).
Ebenezer Howard: inventor of the garden city. Book review.
The Grenfell Tower fire, eight years on
A time to pause and reflect as Dubai tower block fire reported just before anniversary.
Airtightness Topic Guide BSRIA TG 27/2025
Explaining the basics of airtightness, what it is, why it's important, when it's required and how it's carried out.
Construction contract awards hit lowest point of 2025
Plummeting for second consecutive month, intensifying concerns for housing and infrastructure goals.
Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025
Examining the state of mental health in construction, shedding light on levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
The benefits of engaging with insulation manufacturers
When considering ground floor constructions.
Lighting Industry endorses Blueprint for Electrification
The Lighting Industry Association fully supports the ECA Blueprint as a timely, urgent call to action.
BSRIA Sentinel Clerk of Works Training Case Study
Strengthening expertise to enhance service delivery with integrated cutting-edge industry knowledge.
Impact report from the Supply Chain Sustainability School
Free sustainability skills, training and support delivered to thousands of UK companies to help cut carbon.
The Building Safety Forum at the Installershow 2025
With speakers confirmed for 24 June as part of Building Safety Week.
The UK’s largest air pollution campaign.
Future Homes Standard, now includes solar, but what else?
Will the new standard, due to in the Autumn, go far enough in terms of performance ?
BSRIA Briefing: Cleaner Air, Better tomorrow
A look back at issues relating to inside and outside air quality, discussed during the BSRIA briefing in 2023.
Restoring Abbotsford's hothouse
Bringing the writer Walter Scott's garden to life.
Reflections on the spending review with CIAT.
Retired firefighter cycles world to raise Grenfell funds
Leaving on 14 June 2025 Stephen will raise money for youth and schools through the Grenfell Foundation.
Key points for construction at a glance with industry reactions.