Sustainability Process

Unfortunately, the modern buildings we live and work in rival cars and factories as sources of harm to the environment, contributing to deforestation, global warming, overuse of water and energy and carbon dioxide emissions.

Sustainable building refers to those buildings that are built to have the least impact on the natural environment, both in terms of the building itself, its immediate surroundings and the broader global setting. To construct in a sustainable way, some basic rules need to be followed: (a) minimization of non-renewable resource consumption; (b) enhancement of the natural environment; and (c) elimination or minimization of toxic emissions.

Almost every step of the green building process is heavily focused on how building elements fit together to optimize efficiency and sustainability.

Sustainable development marries two important themes:

1) Environmental protection does not preclude economic development
2) Economic development must be ecologically viable now and in the long term

Common use of the term “sustainability” began with the 1987 publication of the World Commission on Environment and Development Report titled “Our Common Future.” This document defined sustainable development as “…development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

Stand Up for the Earth encourages businesses, non-profits and government entities to be at the forefront of the green and sustainable process, creating infrastructure in harmony with nature. “Sustainable design” involves the planning and development of projects in a manner that minimizes impact on natural resources, such as water and energy. There are many aspects to the sustainable process, one of which involves “LEED” principles – Leadership in Engineering and Environmental Design, with standards for selecting materials and designing facilities established by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Stand Up for the Earth strongly encourages organizations to consider including cost-effective and environmentally friendly practices in the design, construction and retrofit of buildings and facilities. In this way, your buildings and facilities not only exemplify your care for the environment and the well-being of the community that you serve, but they also decrease facility operating and maintenance costs.

Take a look at some ways Eaton’s PowerChain™ Management portfolio of Cutler-Hammer® and Powerwave® products, services and information management tools can help your building go green.