24 March 2006

North American Environmental Group Studies "Green" Buildings

Environmentally sound construction can reduce resource consumption

Washington -- North Americans would likely save energy, conserve water and reduce use of raw materials if environmentally friendly construction practices were adopted more widely.

The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) is launching a study on how to build "greener" buildings, the organization announced March 23, and expects to produce recommendations to its member governments on how to achieve that goal.

Green building refers to the incorporation of environmentally friendly materials and processes into construction activities. These can include increased use of recycled materials, methods that minimize waste and energy-efficient heating and cooling systems.

Canada, Mexico and the United States created the CEC under the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation to address regional environmental concerns, help prevent potential trade and environmental conflicts and promote the effective enforcement of environmental law.

The CEC study will assess the current status and prospects for green building in North America and the potential for resource conservation. The study also will examine how to expand the market for green building practices and how to develop government policies and investments to support the technologies.

The CEC announcement of the new initiative cites a 2003 report from the U.S. Green Building Council that itemizes the whopping amount of resources gobbled down by buildings in North America -- 65 percent of electricity, 12 percent of fresh water supplies and 40 percent of raw materials.

The CEC operates a variety of projects, each tackling a different environmental issue in which its member governments have shared interests.

In January, the CEC issued a broad regional study of children’s health as it relates to environmental factors, the first study of its kind ever conducted. (See related article.)

CEC also has ongoing projects to preserve North American biological diversity and the links between environment, economies and trade.

The CEC announcement of the new study is available on its Web site.

For more information on U.S. policy, see Environment.

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)