• property tax exemptions, tax abatements, revenue-neutral taxes, tax credit to the owner}
• State of New York’s proposed Green Tax Credit legislation (3 mentions)

• These sorts of programs would help get owners interested in sustainability, which would in turn force the A/E/C industry to take notice.
• Give the architects, builders, and owners some compensation for their efforts.

• Tax credits don't work because people tend to abuse them; the thinking is: ‘If it needs a tax credit, it can't really be ready for the market.’
• I believe in a non-subsidized market.
• Don't provide incentives which perpetuate a false economy.
• I'm leery about these. Green design should stand on its own.

• local workshops and conferences
• seminars for architects, HVAC engineers, owners, managers
• workshops for engineers and architects

Non-governmental:
• free workshops sponsored by local environmental groups
• workshops sponsored by medical groups on the topics of IAQ and health risks from exposure to environmental pollution due to standard materials manufacturing/processing. Some environmental groups already do this, but are not widely accepted due to the perception that they are leftist, extremist, alarmists.
• AIA education for spec. writers

• People would be much more interested in sustainable devices/materials if they saw them in common use; "fear of the unknown."
• You can't do enough of these. It's always better to lead by example.

• documented case studies
• repository, maybe on the Internet, of independently checked case studies with uniform performance and cost data
• We need to be able to document the costs and benefits of sustainability for all stakeholders.
• Develop a better database of the costs of maintenance of good vs. mediocre systems.
• We believe that the most effective means for achieving environmental goals in the construction industry is clear demonstration of the economic benefits of Green Buildings. It’s more effective than legislation; indeed, "carrots" motivate better than "sticks."

• academic courses for students
• more information in standard high school and college curricula about the effects and solutions of the building industry

• There should be ongoing education and training for construction industry professionals at all levels, in all fields of the industry.
• Education is the key; how is the problem.
• More manufacturer awareness and research is needed.
• People will only believe by seeing what is possible, and then having appropriate education/training opportunities to enable them to incorporate these practices as fundamental considerations.
• We need programs not just about products which are common, but about concepts, systems, and maintenance and operation of systems.
• If the public is well informed, they will demand environmentally responsible buildings and spaces.
• The most effective means of learning about new technologies or alternative approaches (according to a recent Georgia Tech survey) is via demo projects or documentation of new technologies in credible publications, such as Fine Homebuilding.
• Non-governmental: homeowner education in Good Housekeeping-type magazines

(7 mentions)
• increased adoption of Model Energy Codes
• stricter energy codes
• minimum requirements to consider solar energy systems
• more stringent energy consumption constraints and HVAC criteria
• criteria in energy standards that reflect life-cycle economics and finance

(5 mentions)
• adopting/implementing/enforcing greater Indoor Air Quality standards, which by default would require the use of many more appropriate materials
• stricter regulation of VOC emitting materials
• building material emission standards

• stricter regulation of waste generation
• a requirement that the manufacturer of a product be responsible for its eventual disposal or recycling

• minimum requirements/quotas to use recycled-content materials (2)

• stricter regulation of site impact
• stormwater runoff regulations

• lower building permit requirements in exchange for construction waste recycling efforts
• zoning regulations to prevent sprawl
• (See Site Impact suggestions above.)

• Public entities may say they want sustainable development, but code, zoning, and other regulations do not reflect that desire.
• Over the last 5-7 years, considerable progress has been made in promoting sustainable building, with finance and code approvals taking up the laggard positions.
• Elevate building codes to include environmental as well as human health and safety considerations.
• Building codes should reflect the reality of health, safety, and accessibility issues. Too often they're changed simply to ensure that subcontractors are kept employed continually making changes to building to keep up with code changes.
• Performance-based codes are more valuable in developing new ways of doing work.
• Making recycling mandatory in all sectors would add a whole new element into the job market.

• Code regulation is not a significant factor.
• Sustainable building should not be mandated, but should be market driven.
• Regulation is OK as long as there's a carrot to accompany the stick.
• Enforcement of existing codes is needed.
• We need increased case-by-case flexibility for individuals wanting to try alternative building technologies, such as reused dimensional lumber. (Recently I had a technical assistance call from a builder who wanted to do this, but was given the run-around by local code officials who were unwilling to stick their necks out.)
• The building codes are getting out of hand. We are using at least 35% more material in the industry as we were 25 years ago. Just because we have a disaster in Florida does not mean that the whole country should have to comply with tighter regulations.

• New York City’s High Performance Guidelines
• New Hampshire's Minimum Impact Development Guidelines

Non-governmental:
• The USGBC needs to further its LEED Rating System.
• ASHRAE should establish guidelines, as well.
• There should be a "Green Sweets" and a more standardized "Green Spec" with evaluation criteria of building performance.
• No green building certification is available; this is a problem to be addressed.

• These should become standard operating procedures, as in some European countries--not voluntary.