Real Estate Environment

1. Sustainable Environmental and Natural
Resources Management
Course Code: LA 174
Year One Second Semester
Instructor: Pascal Zini

2. Real Estate Environmental Concerns and
Environmental Protection During Property
Development.
Introduction:
With globalization and the increase in population, there have been numerous developments
around the world to meet the growing demand.
There are new inventions, new industries, and new infrastructure being developed around
the world that have been very useful to humankind.
But have you ever wondered at what cost are we getting all these utilities?
Amid all these advancements, the major sufferer has been the environment.
We are leaving behind large footprints that are slowly destroying our environment in
developing real estate.
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3. Intro-Cont.
Real estate is central to urban development, it consumes physical resources and is a
significant source of emissions.
It affects the environment to a large extent and plays a major role in global energy
consumption, as well as, greenhouse gas emissions.
In particular the operating phase of buildings consumes many resources, while the
construction and demolition phase create large numbers of waste and environmental
pollution.
Equally, it is central to the goal of creating an environmentally sustainable future.
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4. Intro-Cont.
It is therefore, very imperative for stakeholders in the real estate sector to take action
to reduce the environmental impact of buildings and other forms of construction.
As professionals in the real estate industry, measures to support adaptation to climate
change in our cities, pollution reduction, a check on the damage to the natural
environment, promotion of the principles of the circular economy should be ensured
where possible.
 We do need homes and proper real estate infrastructure to live and function, but we
can do all of that by building green.
Sustainable construction is not all about building with a low environmental impact; it
is a new approach in the building sector that betters people's living and building.
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5. Benefits of Sustainable Construction
The benefits of sustainable construction fall under three headings;
1. Environmental benefits
2. Financial/Economic benefits
3. Social benefits
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6. Real Estate and the Environment
The real estate sector uses more energy than any other sector and is a growing
contributor to CO2 emissions.
Although measurement is complex, most estimates suggest that the real estate sector is
the single most significant sector in terms of CO2 contributions.
The sector consumes over 40% of global energy annually
– 20% of total global greenhouse gas emissions originate from buildings
– There is a projected 56% increase in building CO2 emissions by 2030
– Buildings use 40% of raw materials globally (3 billion tonnes annually)
-Buildings also have a significant and growing impact on other environmental aspects.
For example, by 2030 buildings are expected to use 12% of global fresh water, and
generate 30% of total waste in the European Union.
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7. Real estate’s contribution to energy use and
CO2 emission
Source: World Economic Forum (adapted from IPCC, USBC, EC)
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8.  By most projections, by 2030, the global population will exceed 8 billion and over 60%
of the world’s population(4.9 billion people) will be living in urban environments.
 Thiswill lead to significant growth in the construction and real estate market:
How the real estate sector absorb the projected surge in population in a sustainable
manner? By adopting green buildings
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9. Green Buildings-Intro
In response to the consequence or the effect of the environmental concerns of the
construction and indeed the real estate sector, the energy consumption and adverse
environmental impact posed by construction activities the real estate industry is
incorporating environmental sustainability in its decision-making process, hence the
shift to Green Buildings.
In real estate development, there has been a significant shift towards the production of
“more environmentally sustainable buildings.
Currently, 40-48% of new commercial buildings globally are “green”, as compared to
only 2% in 2005.
Accra is estimated to have over 20% of buildings being green buildings by 2025.
Green building has gained substantial support as a panacea for minimizing the
environmental impacts of buildings to achieve sustainable development.
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10. What is Green Building?
The US Environmental Protection Agency in 2016 defined Green Building as;
“The practice of creating structures and using processes that are environmentally
responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building's life-cycle from siting to design,
construction, operation, maintenance, renovation and deconstruction” (USEPA, 2016).
The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) described Green Building as;
“building which displays characteristics that minimize environmental impact through
all parts of the buildings life-cycle and focuses on improved health for its occupiers,
optimize utility for their owners and occupiers and the wider public, whilst minimizing
the use of natural resources and environmental impact” (RICS Valuation Standards
Board, 2008, pp5).
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11. What is Green Building? Cont.
 Green building is also known as a sustainable building or high -performance building.
 Green buildings are designed to reduce the overall impact of the built environment on human
health and the natural environment by:
 Efficiently using energy, water, and other resources
 Protecting occupant health and improving employee productivity
Reducing waste, pollution and environmental degradation
For example, green buildings may incorporate sustainable materials in their construction (e.g.,
reused, recycled-content, or made from renewable resources); create healthy indoor environments
with minimal pollutants (e.g., reduced product emissions); and/or feature landscaping that reduces
water usage (e.g., by using native plants that survive without extra watering). 11

12. Why the need to build Green Buildings?
(Importance)
 Environmental benefits
1. Enhance and protect biodiversity and ecosystems
2. Improve air and water quality
3. Reduce waste streams
4. Conserve and restore natural resources
Economic benefits
1. Reduce operating costs
2. Create, expand, and shape markets for green product and services
3. Improve occupant productivity
4. Optimize life-cycle economic performance
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13. Why the need to build Green Buildings?
(Importance) Cont.
Social benefits
1. Enhance occupant comfort and health
2. Heighten aesthetic qualities
3. Minimize strain on local infrastructure
4. Improve overall quality of life
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Thank
you
Danke
(German) Nye yi wala
doŋ!
(Ga)
Merci
(French)
Ndonne
(Konkomba)
Barika
(Dagaaba)
Gracias
(Spanish)
Na Gode
(Hausa)
Medase
(Twi)
Akpe
(Ewe)
Obrigado
(Portuguese)

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