This year’s theme, “It Pays to Build Green,” aims to demonstrate that sustainable construction and renovation practices deliver not only environmental gains, but also tangible economic and social value.

Buildings account for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, from the production and transportation of raw materials to construction, heating, cooling, and lighting throughout their lifecycle. Even the production of cement, one of the most widely used building materials, comes with a steep environmental cost, with each tonne manufactured releasing approximately half a tonne of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

At the same time, Europe’s construction and demolition industry is responsible for more than one-third of all waste generated across the continent, underlining the pressing need for change in how buildings are designed, constructed, operated, and ultimately decommissioned.

Against this backdrop, International Green Building Week highlights sustainable practices as both a responsibility and an opportunity. Energy efficiency has long been part of the conversation, but experts stress that it alone is no longer sufficient.

A broader rethink is necessary, moving from a model that prioritizes new construction to one that emphasizes upgrading, repurposing, and expanding existing structures. With the careful use of renewable natural materials, such as wood or hemp, projects can even become carbon negative, essentially locking away carbon absorbed during the plants’ lifecycle.

The economic rationale is just as important as the environmental one. Green buildings tend to enjoy lower operational costs thanks to their energy efficiency, while their long-term asset value is often higher than that of conventional properties.

These projects also have easier access to financing, as ESG benchmarks and EU taxonomy regulations increasingly direct capital toward sustainable assets. The “it pays” message of this year’s event is therefore more than symbolic; it is a clear reminder that while upfront costs may be higher, the medium- and long-term savings, combined with stronger market value, can offset and even outweigh those investments.

Benefiting Society

Beyond economics, there are societal benefits. Sustainable buildings provide healthier, safer, and more comfortable spaces to live and work in. This year’s program includes the showcasing of buildings that demonstrate how architecture can address climate, comfort, and community needs simultaneously.

In his opening remarks, HuGBC president Gábor Szarvas underlined both the urgency of climate change and the optimism that comes with visible progress.

“While the effects of climate change are increasingly evident in our daily lives, there is also reason for optimism. With Green Building Week, we can highlight exemplary climate-friendly projects, showcase zero-carbon award-winning buildings, and introduce ambassadors who represent the future of sustainable construction,” he said.

The Green Walk series of building tours began at Corvinus University’s Gellért Campus, which has quickly become a symbol of forward-looking construction in Hungary. The building holds the country’s only top-tier LEED “Gold” certification within the higher education sector, confirming compliance with strict international energy and sustainability standards.

Its design integrates advanced insulation, solar panels, and no fewer than 84 geothermal probes, earning it an “AA+” energy efficiency rating. Waste management during construction was equally rigorous: 82% of demolition material from the old building and 100% of new construction waste were selectively collected and managed.

Government officials also stressed the importance of regulation and long-term vision. Speaking at the launch, Deputy State Secretary Renáta Határ of the Ministry for Construction and Transport, said: “The goal is for sustainability not to remain a theoretical concept, but to become everyday practice in the construction industry.”

This view was echoed by other stakeholders, who noted that regulation is only one piece of the puzzle; adaptation and practice at the level of everyday users is equally crucial.

Tibor Misovicz, the secretary of the Maecenas Universitatis Corvini Foundation, which operates the university, addressed this practical dimension.

Green Operations

“It pays to build green, but we must also learn how to operate green. One of the key lessons from the Gellért Campus project is that, after completion, operators and everyday users alike face the challenge of adapting to sustainable practices.”

His words reinforce a growing recognition in the industry that sustainability is not solely about initial design and construction, but about how buildings are maintained and used over time.

Young people also have an essential role to play. Éva Hegedűs, secretary general of HuGBC, highlighted this in her speech. “Without the openness and creativity of young people, there is no sustainable future,” she warned.

To engage the next generation, the HuGBC offered two dedicated workshops during the week: the Climate Fresk card game, designed to illustrate the chain reactions of climate change, and “Green Future, Brave Stories,” a program where participants can develop their own visions of sustainability through mentorship from writers and digital artists.

International Green Building Week in Hungary serves as both a platform for education and a catalyst for collaboration. With guided tours, exhibitions, lectures, and workshops, the program underscores how sustainable construction is no longer a niche concern but a mainstream necessity.

By aligning environmental responsibility with financial prudence and social impact, the initiative sends a clear signal: building green is not just a matter of conscience, but a strategic choice for the future of the economy, the industry, and society at large.

This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of September 19, 2025.