Investments in sustainability are growing steadily amidst countrywide changes in policy, infrastructure, and climate, a BloombergNEF report shares. Industries countrywide are exploring how green technologies and innovations can mitigate costly risks and increase operational efficiency. In fact, a Forbes article says investors contributed over $56 billion to clean energy and similar sectors. Although the present administration reduced funding for certain environmental regulations, Chemical & Engineering News reports, the present market shows how executives are embracing environmentally minded products and practices.

A leading contributor to this market growth is climate change. Natural disasters continue to adversely affect infrastructure, as affirmed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), consequently exacerbating facility operations. Greenhouse gases—a byproduct of human actions—is the leading cause of global warming, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) states, and an excess of these emissions leads to the severity of natural disasters—wildfires, floods, hurricanes and tornados. As facilities can contribute an estimated 38 percent of carbon dioxide (CO2), PlanOn asserts, sustainability initiatives can support global efforts and systemic efficiency.

Current green buildings are financially rewarding as they lead to reduced operational costs, waste, and require less energy, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) says. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) found that these facilities utilize 50 percent less energy, 40 percent less water, and reduce 70 percent of their waste. A commitment to environmental criteria can lead to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, signifying a commitment to compliance and overall health and safety, Building Radar shares.

Industries are going green, and present investments can lead to future financial gain.