A ‘green’ building is a building that, in its design, construction or operation, reduces or eliminates negative impacts, and can create positive impacts, on our climate and natural environment. Green buildings preserve precious natural resources and improve our quality of life. There are a number of features which can make a building ‘green’. These include: 

• Efficient use of energy, water and other resources
• Use of renewable energy, such as solar energy
• Pollution and waste reduction measures, and the enabling of re-use and recycling
• Good indoor environmental air quality
• Use of materials that are non-toxic, ethical and sustainable
• Consideration of the environment in design, construction and operation
• Consideration of the quality of life of occupants in design, construction and operation
• A design that enables adaptation to a changing environment

Any building can be a green building, whether it’s a home, an office, a school, a hospital, a community centre, or any other type of structure, provided it includes features listed above.

However, it is worth noting that not all green buildings are – and need to be - the same. Different countries and regions have a variety of characteristics such as distinctive climatic conditions, unique cultures and traditions, diverse building types and ages, or wide-ranging environmental, economic and social priorities – all of which shape their approach to green building.

The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) mission is to transform the building and construction sector across three strategic areas—climate action, health & wellbeing, and resources & circularity—we are a global action network comprised of around 70 Green Building Councils around the globe. There are many goals of WGBC. They are;

• Climate Action - total decarbonization of the built environment.
• Health and Wellbeing - a built environment that delivers healthy, equitable and resilient buildings, communities and cities.
• Resources and Circularity - a built environment that supports the regeneration of resources and natural systems, providing socio-economic benefit through a thriving circular economy.

WGBC is running several international projects in several parts of the world. Better Build Green is an ongoing communications campaign which highlights green buildings’ key role in reducing emissions and creating economic and societal benefits.  

Originally launched at the UN climate change negotiations at COP21 in Paris in 2015, it aims to show the world that green buildings offer one of the best and most cost-effective ways to tackle climate change, and to demonstrate why it’s better to build green. The message is simple: not only had we better build green if we are to reach a two-degree world tomorrow, but we are better off today if we do. 

Source- https://www.worldgbc.org/better-build-green