Green construction may triple in next five years

McGraw-Hill Construction has released survey results that paint a rosy picture of the future of the green building industry. "The value of green building construction starts was up five-fold from 2005 to 2008 (from $10 billion to $36-$49 billion), and could triple by 2013, reaching $96-$140 billion," according to a press release from the info services company, which also said:

McGraw-Hill Construction attributes green building’s rapid expansion to growing public awareness, an increase in government regulations, and recognition of bottom-line advantages. Since 2005, the perceived benefits of green building have increased and differentiated as people become more knowledgeable about green building. The decrease in operating costs is the most often cited benefit (13.6%, up from 8-9% in 2005), followed by the increase in building values (10.9%, up from 7.5% in 2005).

The 40-page survey report, Green Outlook 2009: Trends Driving Change, is available in a $250 PDF. Or you can just keep reading Home Channel News' Green Central and this blog for free. :-)