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Green Building Best Practices in Achieving Energy and
Environmental Sustainability
Noraina Mazuin Sapuan
Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, Pahang, Malaysia
E-mail: noraina@ump.edu.my
Nazatul Faizah Haron
Faculty of Business & Management, School of Management Sciences
Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia
E-mail: nazatulfaizah@unisza.edu.my
Vikniswari Vija Kumaran
Faculty of Business and Finance, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Perak, Malaysia
E-mail: vikniswarivk@utar.edu.my
Nur Surayya Saudi
Faculty of Defence Study and Management
National Defence University of Malaysia, Malaysia
E-mail: nursurayya@upnm.edu.my
Abdul Rahim Ridzuan (Corresponding author)
Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia
Institute for Big Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (IBDAAI)
Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia
Centre for Economic Development and Policy, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia
Institute for Research on Socio Economic Policy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia
Accounting Research Institute (ARI), Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia
E-mail: Rahim670@uitm.edu.my
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Received: June 9, 2022 Accepted: August 7, 2022 Published: November 18, 2022
doi:10.5296/emsd.v11i4.21052 URL: https://doi.org/10.5296/emsd.v11i4.21052
Abstract
In the construction and building industry, sustainable development is becoming a powerful
force for economic, social, and environmental gains with fewer negative consequences for the
environment. It is essential to establish green and sustainable practices in the building and
construction industry in order to improve energy efficiency, particularly by utilising the
newest green technologies. As a result, the study‟s objectives are to first investigate the most
relevant practices to be used for green building employment; second, evaluate the benefits
produced by the execution of green building; and third, analyse the best practices of green
building characteristics. The findings of this study showed that green buildings developed
using energy-efficient systems and implementing sustainable practices can reduce energy
consumption, as well as lower the cost of operating and maintaining these buildings in the
long term. Meanwhile, the government‟s role is essential to attracting more participants in
implementing sustainable practices in the construction and building sector, especially through
more stringent regulations and appealing incentives.
Keywords: Sustainability, Energy efficiency, Green building, Best practices
1. Introduction
The building sector has been criticised for consuming a significant amount of primary energy
and natural resources. In 2018, commercial and residential buildings contributed to 36% of
total energy usage and 39% of energy production, while the production of building materials
and products such as steel, cement, and glass accounted for 11% of process-related CO2
emissions (International Energy Agency, IEA, 2020). More seriously, the CO2 emissions
released from construction materials are higher than those from other types of manufacturing
and transportation sectors (Sharma, 2018). Climate change primarily results from elevated
emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases [Pujiati, et. (2023a); Majekodunmi, et al.
(2023a); Shaari et al. (2022a); Shaari, et al. (2021); Mohamed Yusoff, et al. (2023);
Ridzuan,et al. (2022a); Ridzuan, et al. (2020a); Ridzuan et al. (2019); Md Razak, et al. (2017);
Zainal, et al. (2020)]. A relentless annual growth in CO2 emissions further worsens the
challenges of climate change and global warming [Majekodunmi, et al. (2023b); Pujiati, et al.
(2023b); Shaari, et al. (2022b); Handayani,, et al. (2022); Ridzuan, et al. (2022b); Borhan,, et
al. (2021); Ridzuan, et al. (2020b)]. Hence, the concept of green building was developed to
reduce negative environmental consequences. According to WGBC (2018), a green building
is a structure that minimises or eliminates negative impacts on our climate and natural
environment through its design, construction, and operation.
As the global population is expected to continue rising to more than 9.8 billion by 2050,
natural resource consumption likewise upsurges, as does demand for new products and
services, putting further strain on the existing resources (United Nations, 2017). This leads to
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a gradual rise in the yearly global average temperature [Shaari, et al. (2023); Voumik, et al.
(2023a); Voumik, et al. (2023b); Hendrawaty, et al. (2022); Kumaran, et al. (2020); Ridzuan,
et al. (2021a); Ridzuan et al. (2021b)]. Hence, it is important to optimise the use of resources
that maximise their net value while avoiding 'upstream' pollution and, at the same time,
conserving these resources.
Green buildings often use fewer resources and provide better indoor air quality and higher
comfort levels to their inhabitants than non-green buildings (Darko, Zhang, and Chan 2017).
While most green building research focuses solely on environmental sustainability, the idea
of green building is congruent with the triple bottom line (i.e., environmental, economic, and
social elements) of sustainable development. (Zuo and Zhao, 2014). To decrease the
undesirable impacts on the usage of resources, green buildings' execution is apt to integrate
procedures from the beginning to the end of the building's life cycle (Environmental
Protection Agency, EPA, 2009). In numerous projects, green building has successfully
reduced energy consumption, CO2 emissions, improved water management, and sustained the
materials' life circulation through better site progress, building, procedure, maintenance,
elimination, and recycling of materials (Kreuger et al., 2019; Patnaik et al., 2015; Wang et al.,
2014). Green buildings generally go above the building code standards, which include
elements such as passive solar heating and cooling design, efficient heating, ventilation, and
air conditioning (HVAC), energy-saving lighting, and first-rate window glazing (Wells et al.,
2018; Darko et al., 2017; Udawatta et al., 2015; Garde et al., 2014; Li et al., 2013).
Despite the yearly growth in green certification acceptance and the square foot covered by the
construction sector, the overall number of floors remains unchanged compared with the total
square foot of this industry (Zhang et al., 2019). This is partly due to many obstacles to
promoting green construction, such as a lack of awareness among customers and designers,
as well as higher costs for purchasing sustainable materials and products that are unbearable
to contractors and subcontractors (Ahn et al., 2013).
Thus, the objectives of this study are: first, to investigate the most pertinent procedures to be
implemented for green building employment; second, to examine the benefits generated from
green building execution; and third, to explore the best practices of green building features.
The organisation of this paper is divided into a few sections. The First Section is the
introduction, followed by Section Two on the green building rating system and net zero
buildings. Chapter Three discusses the benefits of green building development; Chapter Four
on green building best practices; and finally, Chapter Five concludes the study.
2. Green Building Rating System and Net Zero Buildings
2.1 Green Building Rating System
Green building rating instruments are used for assessing and recognising buildings that meet
certain environmental standards. Rating systems are often used to recognise and reward
companies and organisations that develop and operate green buildings. Also, rating systems
encourage and motivate these organisations by attracting incentives to drive sustainability in
the building and construction sectors.
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The building industry employs a Green Building Rating System (GBRS) to assess, improve,
and/or promote the sustainability of buildings (Zhang et al., 2019). Essentially, the rating
system assesses several factors, including a building's operational performance,
environmental impact, and environmental impact measurement, as well as objectively
evaluates and judges the development of a structure (Awadh, 2017).
The green rating has been identified as one of the most important external drivers for
developing green buildings, and it has received much attention in the literature. Most green
construction decisions and activities in buildings are centred on financial returns. So, only if
stakeholders are financially feasible can developers adopt green solutions. Moreover, there is
no requirement for individuals to comply with a green building assessment system for the
sake of green practices (Darko et al., 2017; Udawatta et al., 2015).
Green building assessment tools use numerous techniques appropriate for early preparation
and design, construction, operation, maintenance, restoration, and demolition stages (Awadh,
2017; Zhang et al., 2019). Different building models, such as homes, commercial buildings,
or even entire neighbourhoods, use distinct tools and rating approaches depending on the
building types. The World Green Building Council (World GBC, 2021) has recognised
various measurements and tools used by all the members best suited to the particular market,
especially in over seventy countries that recognise green building councils.
According to Zhang et al. (2019), green buildings in the United States, United Kingdom, and
Japan have reached an advanced implementation degree. These nations have developed and
enhanced green buildings' legal and regulatory frameworks. In fact, their laws, rules,
departmental codes, and regional regulations are interdependent and complement each other.
A solid and comprehensive legal structure is a crucial assurance and the basis for high-quality
green building development.
The earliest certification scheme for green buildings was the Building Research
Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology (BREEAM) in the UK in 1990.
Since its introduction, this certificate has been carried out in 89 countries, accumulating
594,011 certification programmes (BREEAM, 2021). Meanwhile, Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) was released in 1998 by the US Green Building Council
(USGBC). LEED was the most popular and widely used green building rating system in 167
countries in 2018 (Zhang et al., 2019). Earning a LEED certification comes with a bunch of
advantages, including providing third-party validation of a company's capacity to build a
sustainable project. Not only does the certification process guide the use of indoor and outdoor
materials, but it also helps to lower operating costs by promoting the use of less expensive and
renewable energy sources (WBDG, 2019). Other major GBRS include the Comprehensive
Assessment System for Built Environment Efficiency (CASBEE) in Japan and the Green Star
system in Australia (CASBEE, 2021). In 2009, the German Green Building Council and the
German government collaborated to develop a building evaluation system in Germany known
as Deutsche Gesellschaftfür Nachhaltiges Bauen (DGNB), possibly the most sophisticated
building evaluation system in the world (Vyas and Jha, 2018).
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2.2 Net Zero Buildings
Domestic energy usage has become a global trend in reducing energy demand for fuel-based
energy through renewable energy. Energy-saving methods were developed, and they have
drawn the attention of numerous researchers and practitioners in implementing energy
efficiency practices in the building sector, especially in implementing net-zero energy
buildings (NZEB). According to Wells et al. (2018), NZEB is a building with certain features
that equal energy generation to use and considers reducing energy demands and energy
expenses that equal zero or net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
NZEB is also defined as a building that consumes the same or less energy than it produces
each year. It is critical to initiate a time-period review for NZEB annually (Wells et al., 2018).
The biggest amount of energy required for heating is in the winter due to lower solar gains,
and it might be offset near the end of the year as renewable energy will be produced during
the summer (Abu Grain & Alibaba, 2017).
Furthermore, passive methods serve as a crucial element in pursuing zero energy building
design goals (Li et al., 2013). It directly impacts thermal balance and lighting loads, which
impact the building's electromechanical systems. This result shows a significant indirect
decrease in energy usage for heat control, lighting, and ventilation, which is well balanced by
renewable energy systems (Garde et al., 2014).
According to Albatayneh (2021), optimising various design variables such as flat roof
construction, natural ventilation rate, and window shading control schedule can help reduce
energy consumed for heating and cooling loads. The „nearly zero' quantity of energy required
should be provided to a „very substantial extent by renewable energy sources on-site or
nearby.
Furthermore, Hu and Qiu (2019) discovered that energy savings are highly dependent on
mechanical system advancement by improving mechanical units‟ efficiency or lowering the
unit utility cost. Magrini et al. (2020) further explained the possibilities of improving the
NZEBs by converting to Positive Energy Buildings (PEBs) with the aim of meticulously
improving the design and sizing of the building ecosystem and the plant system by generating
electricity from renewable sources that are more sustainable for maintaining the cost in the
future.
3. The Benefits of Green Building Development
Green buildings provide incremental benefits such as lesser operating costs, improved health
and productivity, and constructive environmental externalities (Kats, 2003), consistent with
the finding from Zhang (2017), who highlighted five types of incremental advantages
connected with green buildings: decreased operating costs, greater comfort, health, and
productivity, enhanced corporate reputation, higher market value, and positive environmental
externalities.
There is no conclusive answer to whether developing and operating green buildings is more
expensive than the traditional operating cost approach. While some researchers claim that
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green building is more expensive (Chan et al., 2009; Shi et al., 2013), other data suggest that
green building may contribute little or no additional expense to the non-green method
(Matthiessen & Morris, 2004). This is consistent with the finding from Kats et al. (2003) that
the majority of the additional cost of green buildings is not in „hard costs' (i.e., installation
expenses for green parts and materials), but rather in „soft costs' (i.e., extra-time expenses for
design, planning, and construction).
Moreover, applying an energy and water efficiency system helps reduce the energy and water
used for construction activities. The development of the recycling system and the design and
reuse of materials can help reduce waste costs. Even though highly efficient resources may be
somewhat expensive, they save money over the building's long lifespan (Zhang et al., 2017).
For construction to be as efficient as possible, green buildings, particularly LEED-certified
ones, will utilise energy-saving measures. Building techniques can considerably cut energy
costs when combined with environmentally friendly measures. According to the USGBC
(2021), the cost of maintaining LEED buildings has fallen by approximately 20% over
normal business buildings. Green building retrofits usually decrease operating expenses by
around 10% over a year. Meanwhile, data from the European Commission (2015) showed
that global energy efficiency measures could save an estimated €280 to €410 billion in
savings in energy spending. Furthermore, green building can create millions of new jobs and
contribute to a higher GDP for the country. Green construction in the USA generated $167.4
billion in GDP from 2011 to 2014 (World GBC, 2021). The green construction sector in
Canada produced a GDP of $23.45 billion in 2014 and accounted for about 300,000 full-time
jobs (Canada Green Building Council, 2016).
The purpose of green building is not limited to decreasing environmental and economic
consequences, but also to improving human health and wellbeing (World GBC, 2021).
According to Park and Yoon (2011), indoor air quality improves due to low CO2
concentrations and contaminants, as well as high ventilation rates by up to 8%. Moreover,
appropriate sound insulation might be utilised to improve focus, particularly in school and
residential buildings. This is consistent with MacNaughton et al.‟s (2016) finding that
improvements to the built environment, including ventilation, lighting, and materials, have
resulted in improved indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in green buildings. These facts
serve to make our living and working environments healthier and more comfortable
(Al-Sulaili, 2018). A recent study by Xue et al. (2019) discovered that biophilia design could
play an important role in helping green building rating tools (GBRTs) address human health
and wellbeing by restoring and strengthening the relationship between man and nature.
4. Green Building Best Practices
A green building uses technology, building materials, and design techniques that lower threats
to the environment and public health. Improved site selection, building design, material
selection, construction, maintenance, elimination, and possible reuse are employed to achieve
this. The main consequences include less site disruption, less use of fossil fuels, less water
consumption, and fewer pollutants discharged throughout the building's construction,
occupation, and disposal.
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4.1 Sustainable Building Design
Throughout the building‟s life cycle, sustainable building design seeks to minimise resource
depletion, including that of energy, water, land, and raw materials, as well as to prevent
environmental damage brought on by facilities and infrastructure. The most ecologically
friendly architecture may produce settings that are liveable, cosy, secure, and useful.
The Whole Building Design Guide is one of the newest approaches to sustainable building
design, It draws on the collective knowledge of all stakeholders throughout the project's life
cycle, from determining the need for a building to planning, design, construction, building
occupancy, and operations. This design incorporated two elements, which are an integrated
design approach and an integrated team process. The "integrated" design approach departed
from the traditional planning and design process, which depends on the knowledge of experts
who pursue their individual specialisations in a manner that is relatively secluded from one
another. To evaluate the design for cost, quality-of-life, future flexibility, efficiency, overall
environmental impact, productivity, creativity, and how the occupants will be enlivened, an
integrated team process entails the design team and all affected stakeholders working together
throughout the project phases (Whole Building Design Guide, 2014).
The first step in creating a green building is choosing an appropriate location, as this decision
may have both direct and indirect effects on many environmental factors, including security,
accessibility, and energy usage. By leveraging natural site factors like breeze, sunlight, shade,
and topography, cautious planning minimises stormwater flow, eliminates erosion risks,
maximises open space, and maintains existing ecosystems.
Figure 1. Building Life Cycle and Environmental Impact
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According to Figure 1, energy consumption for green buildings should be minimal overall
over their lifespan. This comprises three types of energy: 1) the embodied energy related to
the procurement, processing, production, and transportation of building materials during the
construction phase; 2) the energy used to operate the building; and 3) demolition energy
related to the removal, destruction, and recycling of building materials (Akadiri et al., 2012).
This implies a green building must be able to minimise inputs from nature (such as energy,
water, materials, and land) while also reducing outputs or loadings from nature (such as waste
and pollution). This means a green building must have minimal energy demands and
environmental impacts throughout its life-cycle.
4.2 Green Building Facilities
Green buildings are intended to produce a comfortable, productive, and healthy working
environment. To provide a healthier indoor environment, greater comfort and welfare of the
occupants, increased productivity, and improved marketability of the building, indoor air
quality, thermal comfort, and lighting comfort are given special consideration throughout the
design and construction of the building. Among the indoor and outdoor facilities available in
green buildings are the following:
i) Orientation and Shape of the Building
The new sustainable building‟s design and construction must take into account the building‟s
orientation and shape. Regarding optimal building, orienting its position and shape should
strategically maximise the exposure to natural elements, mainly the sun and wind. Exposing
most of the building to the sun can enhance the entry of high-quality daylight that contributes
to natural ventilation that provides adequate fresh and cool air, especially in summer
(Mohanty, 2012). It also contributes to passive solar heating when heating is required. This
can reduce the dependency on the HVAC system. All of these have the potential to provide
greater comfort while using less energy. Moreover, the orientation of the building towards
good wind energy can contribute to the utilisation of wind turbines for power generation
(Albatayneh, 2021).
ii) Building Envelope
The heat flow over the building operation is determined by the heat transfer across the
building envelope, which comprises the roof, walls, windows, floor, and internal walls. The
green building design needs to optimise the power generated from the sun. The glass façade
allows natural daylight to be enjoyed for as long as possible without the sun's heat impacting
the indoor temperature. The majority of green buildings now being built have a special
double-skin glass façade that enables for passive solar energy collection in the winter and
temperature management in the summer. It allows warmed air between its inner and outer
skins to rise up and out and close in the winter, permitting the façade to form an isolated
blanket around the building, enhancing its energy efficiency (3D Reid, 2013). To reduce
electricity usage, HVAC systems utilised in a building should be used effectively and only
when necessary.
iii) Solar Panel
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Solar systems have the ability to capture solar radiation and convert it into heat and electricity.
Some green buildings not only have solar panels on their roofs, but they also have solar
panels covering the outside walls of the building. It contributes to using less gas or electricity.
Even though such systems need more money to install, they save money on energy bills and
aid in lowering greenhouse gas emissions from non-renewable energy sources like fossil fuels
(Mohanty, 2012).
iv) Cool Roof
The effect of a roof on saving energy is often being overlooked. A sustainable green building
technique called a cool roof tries to reflect heat and sunlight away from the structure. By
lowering heat absorption and thermal emittance, it makes a substantial contribution to
keeping rooms at a consistent temperature in buildings. Simply said, they reflect more of the
sun's rays than conventional single roofs and keep air from escaping through a building‟s roof,
whether it be warm or cool.
The majority of solar radiation is reflected away by cool roofs, which are typically
constructed with specific tiles and reflective coatings that absorb less heat. In the summer,
cool roofs may easily lower temperatures by more than 50 degrees Celsius, which also lowers
the need for power. Moreover, there is significant evidence that cool roofs have a more
effective cooling impact than green roofs (He et al., 2020).
v) Efficient Lighting System
The lighting system‟s design plays a significant role in raising the standard of the indoor
environment. Natural light is preferable to artificial light for the human eye, but excessive
outdoor light causes glare. In order to meet the demands of the occupants, green buildings
enable the regulation of the amount and intensity of natural light that enters the space
(Mohanty, 2012).
Even when artificial lighting is utilised, the right colour execution of the light is carried out to
enhance occupant productivity. Currently, some of the green buildings utilise LED
illumination systems that continuously monitor occupancy, movement, luminosity, humidity,
and temperature, thereby allowing the structure to autonomously change energy consumption
to enhance efficiency (Deloitte, 2015). When motion, temperature infrared, or daylight
sensors are triggered, the low-energy LEDs turn on. LEDs conserve electricity since they
provide 300 Lux instead of the typical 500 Lux. As a result, instead of the typical 8 Wats/m2,
3.9 Wats/m2 are used (Jalia et al., 2018). In some green buildings, LEDs are powered by a
digital ceiling consisting of sensor-connected computer connections that anticipate the
lighting requirements of the people rather than operate at a steady speed. Compared to normal
lighting, the architects are projected to save up to 80% of their energy usage (BREEAM,
2016).
vi) Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligent (AI)
The Internet of Things (IoT) is also important in achieving environmental sustainability.
Sensor systems make it easier to keep an eye on energy consumption and water usage; then,
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proper action can be taken based on the monitoring data, especially to achieve long-term
sustainability. On the other hand, AI systems can control everything in a facility, including
air irrigation and HVAC, to save energy and promote clean operations.
Currently, in a well-known building, i.e., The Edge, Amsterdam, the IoT is part of the digital
infrastructure connecting every technological system in the building. The system is operated
by a single network linked to the lighting system, the building's HVAC system, the elevator,
and other digitalisation-related systems. The system also managed the management facilities,
such as computers, printers, and other office equipment, making it easier for the management
to handle day-to-day operations more efficiently and systematically (Deloitte, 2015).
In The Edge, every occupant can use a smartphone app that connects them to their building.
This software can assist occupants in interacting with the building through various functions
available in the app to instruct a variety of tasks, such as reporting maintenance concerns to
the technical staff or finding vacant workstations or parking spots (CDBB, 2018; Jalia et al.,
2018).
viii) Green Landscaping
Green structures too consider acceptable landscaping techniques like choosing the right
plants, managing the water on the property responsibly, and choosing the right building
materials for the development of the landscape in a way that complements natural
ecosystems.
An easy and inexpensive method to increase a building's energy efficiency and raise the
appeal and value of a property is through strategic landscape design. This green landscape
can enhance the surrounding region, minimise excessive building heat gain through
thoughtful landscape design, and foster a natural and healthy environment (Mohd Hussain et
al., 2014). For example, certain plants can be strategically placed to protect the building from
the sun's rays and heat, reducing glare and temperature, and providing comfort inside and
outside the building. Additionally, the choice and positioning of trees and groundcovers
contributes to protection and a reduction in ambient air temperature, which creates an ideal
microclimate and reduces the need for air conditioning by 5-20%. (Mohanty, 2014).
4.3 Water and Waste Management
A key feature of a green building is managing water and waste from construction until
demolition. Green buildings reduce their water demand and wastewater and solid waste
generation using a strategy similar to that outlined for reducing energy demand.
The well-known 3R principles of waste reduction, reuse, and recycling underpin the entire
practice of solid waste management. Water-efficient fixtures, rainwater harvesting, and
greywater recycling systems for toilet flushing and irrigation work together to reduce water
usage. The design also incorporated rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling techniques
to reduce water usage, enhancing water efficiency (3D Reid, 2013).
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4.4 Alternative Building Materials
Material selection is critical for creating a safe, non-toxic indoor setting, where it should be
based on natural-made materials. Paints that are founded on organic compounds and
materials with low chemical emissions are among the important resources in developing a
green building (Khoshnava et al., 2020).
These resources are constructed based on sustainable techniques throughout their life cycle
and reusable practices. The materials usage is able to reduce environmental consequences
such as global warming, resource depletion, and toxicity across the building‟s entire life cycle
(WBDG, 2018). Moreover, environmentally preferred materials should reduce negative
effects on human health, enhance worker safety, lower liability, and lower disposal costs
(Darko et al., 2017; Kibert, 2016).
Green construction regulations establish a wide range of "substitute" materials that can
replace conventional materials. The potential of non-toxic materials in substitution of
conventional counterparts to improve indoor air quality, occupational health, and production
conditions has zero impact on people's lives (Krueger et al. 2019). For instance, latex, eco
flooring, water-based paints, and more non-toxic materials have been developed to substitute
conventional high volatile organic compound (VOC) paints to improve indoor air quality
(Koshnava et al. 2020).
Furthermore, the bio-based materials are organic, and plant-based resources such as wood,
bamboo, straw, and wool are considered renewable resources as they can be reused, recycled,
easily regrown and have good abilities as a hygroscopic agent, which leads to energy savings
(Romano 2019). However, there is a possibility of resource depletion if we depend on this
resource, especially for long- life-cycle growth (Kreuger et al., 2019; Wang et al., 2014).
Meanwhile, recycled, reused, and reconstructed goods can minimise extraction burdens, avert
trash from landfills, save energy processing, and recover residual value for items at the end of
their lives (Chen et al., 2001; Beullens, 2004). Few studies have compared the thermal and
sound insulation properties of various natural and synthetic insulation materials, such as
recycled polyester fibres and waste wool (Patnaik et al., 2015), conventional insulating
materials such as polystyrene, rock and glass wool, and kenaf, as well as recycled PET fibres
(Intini & Kuhtz, 2011), textile waste, stubble fibres, and sunflower stalk (Binici et al., 2014).
5. Conclusion
The development of green buildings has increased tremendously in developed nations.
However, the demand for green construction and green buildings is still lacking in other
countries, especially when the success criteria for implementing green buildings depend on
the ongoing development of new technologies, integral management of building operations,
consistent certification system standards, and appropriate policy adjustments.
Nevertheless, the implementation of green buildings has several advantages, including
environmental, economic, and social benefits. A reduction in energy consumption is one of
the most significant environmental advantages. Green buildings are built using highly
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efficient systems and sustainable practices to enhance efficiency and save costs. One of the
most important aims of green construction is water conservation. This improvement in water
efficiency can lower the amount of water required for building operations.
Furthermore, this environmentally friendly structure is equipped with energy-efficient heating,
ventilation, and air-conditioning systems. Allowing fresh air in and eliminating items that
generate hazardous emissions ensures optimal indoor air quality. Additionally, adequate
sound insulation is employed to improve focus, particularly in residential structures. All of
these facts will contribute to a healthier and more pleasant living and working environment.
Hence, to attract more demand for green buildings, governments can also play a significant
role, especially by enforcing green building regulations and giving more incentives to
industrial players and owners. They participate in developing and implementing green
practices in every type of building, such as residential, commercial, or industrial buildings.
Acknowledgement
This research paper is funded by Strategic Research Partnership Grant -100-RMC/5/3/SRP
INT (010/2022), provided by Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia
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