The study, carried out by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and based on a global survery of 1,400 individuals active in the property industry, reveals that most property professionals assume building "green" means spending around 17% more on materials and construction.
But this is more than three times more than the average extra cost for significantly reducing energy waste in buildings in most developed countries, claims the WBCSD.
"Key players in real estate and construction misjudge the costs and benefits of 'green' buildings, creating a major barrier to more energy efficiency in the building sector," according to the WBCSD, a CEO-led grouping of 200 multinational corporations.
According to the study, among member states, Germany has the highest involvement of building professionals in green building projects, followed by Spain and France.
The Commission estimates that proper implementation of EU legislation to improve energy efficiency in buildings "will permit a gain estimated at some 40 Mtoe (Megatons of oil equivalent) between now and 2020". But most member states have delayed implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD - see our LinksDossier), citing a lack of professionals qualified to produce the building energy certificates required by the Directive.
In related news, researchers at the Worldwatch Institute have cited an increase in 'ecovillages', planned communities that aim to reduce their ecological 'footprint' through measures such as carpooling, localised energy production and food co-ops. 138 of the 379 ecovillages registered with the Global Ecovillage Network are located in Europe.
Erik Assadourian of Worldwatch is confident that ecovillages "will be the way of the future".
