Building materials and design, construction techniques, and building operations and maintenance all have environmental impacts that can be minimized. Sustainable building merges sound, environmentally responsible practices to look at the environmental , economic and social effects of a built project as a whole.
Structures also affect watersheds, air quality, and community transportation patterns.
In addition to environmental impacts, buildings have a large economic footprint. To remain competitive and continue to expand and produce profits in the future, the building industry is learning to address the environmental and economic consequences of its actions. For a more extensive discussion of the benefits of sustainable building, see the introductory section of the Seattle Supplements to the LEED Rating System TM .