Why Build Green? In the United States, buildings account for: 39 % of total energy use,12 % of the total water consumption, 68 % of total electricity consumption, 38 % of the carbon dioxide emissions. The built environment has a vast impact on the environment, human health, and the economy. By adopting green building strategies, we can maximize both economic and environmental performance. Green construction methods can be integrated into buildings at any stage, from design and construction, to renovation and deconstruction. However, the most significant benefits can be obtained if the design and construction team takes an integrated approach from the earliest stages of a building project.