by Shane Henson — August 6, 2012—Lux Research, an independent research and advisory firm providing strategic advice and ongoing intelligence on emerging technologies, recently released a report ranking 21 countries using a variety of factors to determine the best markets for green buildings.
According to the report, Policy’s Dramatic Impact on Green Buildings: The Global Hotspots, energy security and environmental and livability concerns drive government policy on green-building technologies, but eventually cost and affordability determine the extent and pace of adoption.
The 21 countries Lux Research examined account for 80% of the world’s GDP on a Lux Nations Ranking Chart, assessing how unique policy drivers in each country create an opportunity for specific green building technologies. Among the findings:
- Rich nations set the trend: Countries with high per capita incomes tend to be early adopters of expensive technologies and emerging technologies such as dynamic windows, green roofs and building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). These nations—such as the United States, Singapore, South Korea, Germany and Australia—also create attractive policy regimes for green buildings.
- Global cooperation is growing: Unlike securing energy supply, which is viewed as a zero-sum game, green buildings and energy efficiency are seen as “win-win” possibilities, leading to cooperation.
- Oil-rich nations are laggards; fast-growing countries are ahead: Energy-rich countries like Brazil lag in policies to promote green buildings, but fast-growing nations are ahead on account of their need to contain ever-increasing energy costs and simultaneously reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Global cooperation is growing: Unlike securing energy supply, which is viewed as a zero-sum game, green buildings and energy efficiency are seen as “win-win” possibilities, leading to cooperation.
