ABSTRACT
Building construction and renovation can have significant negative impacts on the environment. Raw material extraction can lead to resource scarcity and alter ecosystem diversity. The manufacture and transportation of building materials consumes energy and generates 31pollution and carbon emissions, which lead to smog, acid rain, and climate change. Material waste leads to landfill burdens, while toxic emissions from indoor materials can result in adverse health and productivity effects. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) along with support from the U.S. EPA developed the BEES (Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability) method in 1994. The intended goal was to identify cost-effective and environmentally friendly building products for use in construction.
