The elevator and escalator industry is being challenged by demands from building owners for more efficient energy utilization. Governmental regulation is also creating increasing demand for energy efficiency of buildings in many countries. Additionally, voluntary sustainability ratings for buildings as well as various national green building ratings are becoming common and are required by some international investors.
Sustainable building refers to building practices that increase energy, water and materials efficiency and reduce their negative impacts on human health and the environment. Ideally, sustainable building considers the entire life cycle of the building, from sustainable design, construction, operation and maintenance.
There are two well-known global sustainable rating systems for building projects: LEED , which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, was established in 1993 by the US Green Building Council; and BREEAM, or Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment method, which is the world’s longest established (since 1988) environmental assessment method for buildings.
Increasing evidence of changes in the global climate has also spurred discussions regarding supra-national regulation and national-level incentives to reduce carbon footprints through more energy-efficient technologies. All these trends are driving demand for energy efficiency in elevator and escalator solutions and for modernizing existing equipment to become more eco-efficient.