Buildings Use…
40 percent of raw stone, gravel and sand; comparable share of other processed materials such as steel, adding to
     landscape destruction,
     toxic runoff from mines and tailings,
     deforestation,
     air and water pollution from processing

25% of virgin wood is used for construction, adding to
     deforestation,
     flooding, siltation,
     biological and cultural diversity losses

40% of total energy use, adding to
     local air pollution,
     acid rain,
     damming of rivers,
     nuclear waste,
     risk of global warming

16 percent of total water withdrawals, adding to
     Water pollution; competes with agriculture and ecosystems for water

Comparable in industrial countries to municipal solid waste generation, adding to
     landfill problems, such as leaching of heavy metals and water pollution

Poor air quality in 30 percent of new and renovated buildings, adding to
     higher incidence of sickness—lost productivity in tens of billions annually

Source: World Watch Institute

With over $175 billion in new commercial construction annually, the environmental burden imposed by the construction and operation of buildings will continue to rise. Therefore, a new model for design that takes into account environmental impact over the life of the building is necessary. Sustainable design evaluates every design decision in order to evaluate potential impact on the environment, occupant health and comfort, and the bottom line. 

Fortunately, many of the concepts and technologies that may be employed to reduce environmental impact in construction and operation can be implemented at no extra cost. Life-cycle cost accounting, which looks at long-term cost and return on investment, as well as environmental costs, makes some design options look more attractive once they are evaluated on other than just first cost.