Green building encompasses not only the physical structure but also the processes involved, emphasizing environmental responsibility and resource efficiency throughout the building’s lifecycle
In the dynamic landscape of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the term ‘green’ has become ubiquitous, serving as a cornerstone concept in discussions surrounding environmental sustainability and social responsibility. It is a term that embodies a profound commitment to both societal welfare and environmental stewardship, driving initiatives aimed at restoring and preserving our natural world.
However, amidst this noble motivation, confusion often arises when attempting to discern between various green-focused endeavors. One such pair that frequently befuddles is the distinction between green building and green manufacturing.
However, green building encompasses not only the physical structures themselves but also the holistic processes employed throughout their lifecycle—from conception and design to construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and eventual demolition. The overarching goal of green building is to minimize resource consumption, mitigate environmental impact, reduce pollution, and create spaces that promote occupant health and well-being while harmonizing with the natural environment. Synonymous terms such as sustainable building or eco-friendly construction underscore this ethos of environmental responsibility.
Bridging Green Building and Manufacturing for Sustainable Futures
Central to green building practices is the adoption of technologies and methodologies geared towards maximizing efficiency, minimizing waste, and integrating environmentally conscious design principles. Various rating systems, such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), serve as benchmarks for evaluating the sustainability of building projects, providing guidance and recognition for those adhering to stringent environmental standards.
In contrast, green manufacturing pertains to the optimization and improvement of manufacturing processes to align with principles of environmental sustainability. Drawing from lean manufacturing ideologies, which prioritize efficiency and waste reduction, green manufacturing endeavors to create closed-loop systems where inputs and outputs are interchangeable—a concept often referred to as ‘cradle to cradle’. By minimizing resource consumption, waste generation, and emissions, green manufacturing seeks to mitigate the ecological footprint associated with industrial production.
While green building and green manufacturing share overarching objectives of environmental responsibility, they operate within distinct realms, each addressing different facets of sustainability. While a green building may serve as a platform for environmentally friendly operations, it does not inherently guarantee adherence to green manufacturing principles.
However, the transition towards a greener industrial landscape requires concerted efforts across regulatory, technological, and financial domains. Merely obtaining green building certifications without a genuine commitment to environmental stewardship undermines the integrity of sustainability initiatives, perpetuating a superficial adherence to trends rather than meaningful engagement with ecological concerns.
Bangladesh is an inspiration to many in the green building segment
A Bangladeshi readymade garment factory, SM Sourcing, based in Gazipur, has achieved global recognition as the leading Leed-certified green factory, securing a remarkable score of 106 – the highest ever recorded in the industry category project worldwide. The factory received a platinum certificate in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) category from the US Green Building Council (USGBC), as confirmed by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
This achievement marks a significant milestone in sustainable textile manufacturing, showcasing Bangladesh’s commitment to environmental leadership. SM Sourcing surpassed the previous highest-rated LEED Green Factory globally, Green Textiles Limited Unit 4, also from Bangladesh, which held a commendable score of 104.
With this accomplishment, Bangladesh has further solidified its position as the global leader in green, environmentally-friendly apparel factories, boasting a total of 206 factories. Notably, Nice Cotton Limited, another Gazipur-based manufacturer, received a platinum certificate from the USGBC for the LEED O+M: Existing Building v4.1 rating system, scoring 81 out of 110.
Bangladesh has made remarkable progress in sustainable practices, with 206 LEED green factories, including 76 platinum-rated, 116 gold-rated, 10 silver-rated, and 4 certified. In the last six months alone, 24 new factories have been certified, including 16 platinum and 8 gold, underscoring the country’s commitment to eco-friendly garment production.
Bangladesh now hosts 54 of the world’s top 100 LEED green factories, positioning itself as a leader in sustainable manufacturing. This achievement is expected to attract further investment and partnerships, consolidating Bangladesh’s global leadership in sustainable manufacturing.
The rapid increase in LEED-certified green factories in Bangladesh reflects the garment industry’s unwavering dedication to environmental sustainability, which is essential for ensuring long-term viability and success. In 2022, Bangladesh achieved 30 green building certifications, with 550 more factories in the pipeline to receive LEED certification from the USGBC.
USGBC honors factories based on various criteria, including transformation performance, energy, water, and waste management, with platinum being the highest rating, followed by gold and silver. Despite potentially higher initial setup costs, green factories significantly reduce operational expenses over time while providing a safe working environment for employees, as noted by industry insiders.
LEED Certified Buildings: Pioneering Sustainability in Bangladesh
LEED certification is sparking a positive competition towards a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable Bangladesh. Among the 177 LEED-certified buildings in the country, industrial structures dominate the landscape. These buildings boast a variety of certifications, with 31% achieving platinum status, 58% earning gold, 8% securing silver, and 2% obtaining certification.
LEED evaluates buildings based on several key factors, including location and transportation, sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation.
Here are some notable examples of LEED-certified buildings in Bangladesh across different categories:
Mansion ‘de Salam, Dhaka (Multi-Family Residential) – Silver Certified
Dipta Apparels Limited, Savar (Industrial Manufacturing) – Gold Certified
Pioneer Denim Limited, Habiganj (Industrial Manufacturing) – Platinum Certified
1360 Banasree-Staff Quarter-Demra Road (Industrial Manufacturing) – Certified
Cityscape Tower, Dhaka (Office) – Platinum Certified
Shahjalal Islami Bank Corporate Headquarters, Dhaka (Office) – Gold Certified
These buildings serve as exemplars of sustainable design and construction practices, driving forward the nation’s commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development.
In conclusion, the distinction between green building and green manufacturing lies in their focus areas within the realm of sustainability. While green buildings provide a foundation for sustainable practices, true progress towards environmental conservation occurs when manufacturing processes themselves are optimized for sustainability.
