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Business View Australia - June 2015 41
are
singly
g the
ge of
ial
ability
green
build-
ing such
as kilos of
carbon, li tres of
water and tonnes of
waste evolve to consider eco-
nomic benef i ts such as pay-
back periods, cost savings, as-
set values and vacancy rates.
As we’ve matured, we’ve ex-
panded our thinking to rec-
ognise and reward social re-
turn on investment such as
shared value, improved pro -
ductivi ty, heal th and wellbe-
ing, and skills development .
The 30- odd project teams work-
ing wi th us to achieve Green
Star – Communi ties ratings,
the local governments achiev-
ing Green Star ratings for their
communi ty centres and librar-
ies, the state governments cer-
ti f ying heal thcare facili ties and
the school principals educating
a whole generation of environ-
mentally li terate students are
commi t ted to building commu-
ni ties that are diverse, fair,
inclusive and sustainable.
Today, we are increasingly
talking the language of social
sustainabili ty – about how our
buildings benef i t people. Our
nex t great challenge is to put
a value on the social capi tal to
be gained from green building.
We will continue to adapt Green
Star so that i t remains robust
and relevant . Why? Because ev-
er yone should have the oppor tu-
ni ty to learn in a green school,
work in a green of f ice, or live
in a green home – and because
Green Star is the mechanism to
help us create and def ine sus-
tainable places for ever yone.
CONSTRUCTION