Government oversight and progress in the private sector has always had a bit of the chicken and egg to it.
Sometimes, regulators see a need to preserve land, wildlife, public health or another category and issue rules to safeguard them. In other cases, industries move so far ahead of current standards that the government needs to catch up to what has become the norm.
In the case of modern commercial construction and its continued trend toward more sustainable building, it is the local, county, state and federal agencies that are starting to fall behind the trends. So expect the government to evolve.
A 2023 study by the United Nations Financial Incentive showed that 40 percent of the world’s emissions are caused by construction. In the United States and Canada, commercial builders have already begun moving to greener processes to offset this.
Environmental reporting is a regular part of the internal project process for most builders, whether a regulatory agency requires it or not. Companies examine a project’s impact on waste management and resource depletion, allowing those factors into determinations. On top of this, consumer pressure often takes the lead on this where government agencies don’t.
By putting in place building performance standards, new technologies and green leasing practices, the results cut emissions and help to mitigate climate risk.
The economic and social benefits an organization gains by following these practices drive business decisions even where regulations don’t demand it.
As these companies grow and the market becomes more competitive, look for regulatory agencies to take advantage of cleaner building practices already in the norm.
All this said, we are not there yet. The marketplace consistently seeks skilled workers to turn plans into action. Training is an investment cost.
And as regulation catches up, hurdles remain as administrators adapt to the changing landscape. Governments make mistakes. Some will overreach. Some rules will be too vague. There is always a settling period.
In the end, though, sustainability will win out because sustainable buildings are more cost effective to operate. They require less water, energy and maintenance than traditional structures.
They also protect commercial constructors against future regulations and changes down the line while providing a competitive advantage right now.
No matter what size commercial project you are working on, partnering with a permitting service offers financial benefits and peace of mind when navigating regulations. With services in 48 states and parts of Canada, Express Permits has the experience you are looking for in a commercial permit expeditor. Call us at (877) 898-9988, email us at sales@expresspermits.net with any questions or fill out our contact form to get the ball rolling.
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