NEW YORK - In the next three years, 93 percent of building executives working with green buildings expect their green workload to rise, according to a survey by Turner Construction Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Turner Corp., a leading general builder.

The survey notes that more than half (51 percent) of executives anticipated substantial increases in their green building activities while another 42 percent expected these activities to increase somewhat. Even among executives not currently working with green buildings, nearly one-third (30 percent) thought it was very or extremely likely that their organization would work on a green project in the next three years. The survey also found that 88 percent of executives currently involved with green buildings have seen their activities with green buildings increase during the last three years, and nearly 40 percent have seen green activity increase substantially during that period.

"An increase in sustainable building practices is great news for everyone," said Rod Wille, senior vice president, manager of Sustainable Construction, Turner Construction. "First and foremost, the design, construction, and maintenance of green buildings is healthier for the environment and for the people who live, work, shop, and play in them. Secondly for those who design, construct, and maintain green buildings, research shows that the more experience an organization has with green buildings, the more effective and cost efficient they become. These findings are also borne out by the fact that LEEDâ„¢ (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) registrations double every two years."

Roughly three-quarters of executives at organizations involved with green buildings reported that these buildings generated a higher return on investment (ROI) than other buildings. Among executives lacking direct experience with green buildings, only 47 percent believed that green buildings generate increased ROI.

Of executives involved with green buildings, 91 percent believed that the health and well-being of their building occupants is greater, as did 78 percent of executives not involved with green buildings.

"With many decision-makers, a near-term cost bias often overshadows the reduced long-term operating expenses due to energy efficiency, labor productivity, occupant wellness, and the resulting decrease in liability that are apparent in a lifecycle cost analysis for a green building project," Wille said. "Turner has learned through nearly 10 years of experience on more than 80 green buildings that the application of learned efficiencies can more than offset any upfront costs of green buildings to a level comparable to traditional, non-sustainable methods. Beyond the important environmental, social, and energy conservation factors, it is now increasingly clear that green buildings make economic sense."

Publication date: 10/18/2004