by Donald Wood
Last updated: 5:30 PM ET, Fri October 20, 2017
The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) released its LEED in Motion: Transportation report Thursday, which focused on how transportation facilities have grown in the green building sector.
The USGBC report analyzes airport terminal buildings, train stations, bus centers, seaports, light rail stations, control towers and more, as well as highlighting some of the most impressive LEED-certified transportation facilities throughout the world.
The transportation industry is a major producer of CO2 emissions: In 2010, the transportation sector accounted for approximately 14 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions. During 2015, it accounted for 27 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S.
With the International Air Transport Association (IATA) revealing that 7.2 billion passengers are expected to fly in 2035, almost double the number of passengers that traveled during 2016, the need to build LEED-certified transportation facilities is climbing.
"Transportation facilities often have high operating costs, water and energy usage and waste, making their impact on our daily lives and the environment immense," USGBC CEO Mahesh Ramanujam said in a statement.
"By implementing LEED green building strategies, these high-intensity buildings become efficient, cost-effective and sustainable transportation facilities that have a significant positive impact on our economy, environment, wellbeing and productivity. As this sector continues to grow, strengthening its green footprint is imperative to ensure a sustainable future for all."
In total, green airport projects have been registered and certified in nearly all 50 states and more than 40 countries and territories around the world.
The LEED in Motion: Transportation report is a way for the USGBC to showcase ways for companies can implement environmental health construction while also highlighting the impressive results from previous green projects. The report is also a way to make a strong case for sustainable building activity moving forward.
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