While the environmental and human health benefits of green building have been widely recognized, this comprehensive report confirms that minimal increases in upfront costs of 0-2% to support green design will result in life cycle savings of 20% of total construction costs — more than ten times the initial investment. In other words, an initial upfront investment of up to
$100,000 to incorporate green building features into a $5 million project
would result in a savings of $1 million in today’s dollars over the life of
the building. — Aileen Adams, Secretary of State and Consumer Affairs