How Green a Recession? – Sustainability Prospects in the US Real Estate Industry, February 2009, RREEF Research

The article summarizes the recent trends in the U.S. and global economy related to real estate and energy prices and provides support for its forecast for a slowed but continued growth in “green” building with implications for conventional buildings.

The Greening of America’s Schools Cost and Benefits, Gregory Kats, October 2006

This article reflects the costs and benefits to green building for U.S. Schools noting a the relatively small increase in costs versus substantial financial and intangible benefits.

Putting Green in Your Pocket an excerpt from, Expectations and Market Realities 2008, 2007, Principal Real Estate Investors, Real Estate Research Corporation, CBRE/Torto Wheaton Research, Scott Muldavin, Green Building Finance Consortium

This article is an excerpt from a CBRE/Torto-Wheaton summary which highlights some of the immediate and longer term actions real estate investors can undertake to "profit" from sustainable property investment.

Does Green Pay Off? July 2008, Miller, N., Spivey, J. & Florance, A.

This study concludes that LEED certified and Energy Star rated buildings command higher rental rates and sales prices, and achieve higher occupancy rates. Moreover, the analysis estimates that sales price per square foot was approximately 10% higher for LEED certified buildings and approximately 6% higher for Energy Star rated buildings.

Energy Performance of LEED® for New Construction Buildings Final Report, March 4, 2008, New Buildings Initiative

This study tracks the performance of new construction buildings versus the projected savings and finds that in fact LEED buildings are delivering results in accord with projections.

Recognition of Energy Costs and Energy Performance in Commercial Property Valuation, Recommendations and Guidelines for Appraisers, February 1999, Mark Chao, Gretchen Parker, Douglas Mahone, Ronald C. Kammerud,

Energy costs represent a significant portion of operating expenses. This research compares and contrasts existing procedures and recommends guidelines for better means of recognition of energy costs and performance for appraisals.