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Title:	Study Links Green Buildings to Higher Market/Rental Values
Author:	The Green Business Letter
Source:	http://www.rics.org
Date:	Dec. 5, 2005

A new study led by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, a global standards and membership organization for professionals involved in land, property, construction and environmental issues shows a clear link between the environmental friendliness of a building and its market value. The international study, released in November 2005, is entitled Green Value: relating the market value of a real estate asset to its green features and related performance.

It found that green buildings can: earn higher rents and prices; attract tenants and buyers more quickly; cut tenant turnover; cost less to operate and maintain; and benefit occupants. The study also noted that roughly 40 percent of carbon emissions come from buildings, so finding incentives to make buildings greener is critical.