According to 2004 figures from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), buildings also account for 38 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions in the United States.  Building construction has huge direct and indirect impact on the environment. Buildings use resources such as energy, water and raw materials, generate waste and emit potentially harmful emissions. By adopting green building strategies or "sustainable design," we can maximize both economic and environmental performance

Six foundamental principles of Sustainable Building Design are:

• Optimize Site/Existing Structure Potential
  Creating sustainable buildings starts with proper site selection, including consideration of the reuse or rehabilitation of existing buildings. The location, orientation, and landscaping of a building affect the local ecosystems, transportation methods, and energy use.


• Optimize Energy Use
  High performance homes achieve reduced energy load by increasing efficiency and utilization of renewable energy resources.


• Protect and Conserve Water
  A sustainable building should reduce, control, and/or treat site runoff, use water efficiently, and reuse or recycle water for on-site use, when feasible.


• Use Environmentallly Preferable Products
  A sustainable building is constructed of materials that have less impact on the environment, resources, and human health.


• Enhance Indoor Environmental Quality
  A sustainable building maximizes daylight, has better ventilation and moisture control, and avoids the use of building materials containing harmful chemicals.


• Optimize Operational and Maintenance Practices
  Considering a building's operating and maintenance issues during the preliminary design phase, designers can specify materials and systems that require less water, energy, and toxic chemicals and cleaners to maintain; and are cost-effective and reduce life-cycle costs.