Publications
Conservation should be economical
Many market participants are already calling the NewYear “green”: not only is the possibility of introducing a national ecologicalstandard in construction being discussed for the first time in Russia, but alsothe pitfalls –that standardization could end up filling government coffers. ”
Main article of Green Development pages in CRE.pdf
Grünes Bauen in Russland „Ein großesExperiment"
(article in German)
Wie steht es um das Bewusstsein für den sparsamenUmgang mit Energie in einem Land, wo sie scheinbarim Üb erfluss vorhanden ist und vergleichsweisewenig kostet? Der Bri te Guy Eames (44) wirb t seit 2009in Russland für die Energieeffizienz von Baupr ojekten.Er ist Mi tbegründer und Geschäftsführer des RussianGr een Building Council (RuGBC). Tr otz groSS er Vorb ehalteund schlepp ender Realisierung kann er auch ersteEr folge vermelden. Im Interview spri cht Eames unteranderem über die Olympi astadt Sotschi und dasHochtechnologiezentrum Skolkowo, wo grüne Häuserentstehen sollen.
Download Business in Russia (p6-9)
Marketing green. Be prepared and opportunity will come. By Ksenia Agapova
Sustainability is an emerging dimension of the building market. Market players adopt green approach in different ways: developers increase green building awareness in order to engage with their customer groups, consultants, engineers, architects and subcontractors create departments, which add extra services to their offerings, some firms focus solely on green products and services and material suppliers start to promote green potential of their products. Marketing green is one of the most effective ways to attract attention, while combined with other smart tools of customer relationship management can become a foundation of a business success. This article targeted both to those companies who already serve green industry and to those who only start looking at advantages of green business.
Russian environment: The “green rush” of 2011. By Guy Eames
As I look back on 2010 and look ahead to 2011, I’m betting that this will be the year when the Russian environment will start to matter significantly. While the word “ecology” translates into Russian, the word “environment” does not. The relationship between energy, resources, social utility and the environment – in other words “sustainable development” – has arguably become the dominant philosophy of the developed world in the 21st Century, and Russia has just started to get a taste of this “green rush.” However, with the right incentives and strategies, I predict that this is a movement that will hit its stride in Russia in 2011. Modern Russia
The politics and business of going green by Roland Oliphant
This year will see increasingly politicized environmental movements sprouting up around local issues, and an alliance between green groups and businessmen to open up Russia’s potential in renewable energy — provided there are no more fires. This year will see increasingly politicized environmental movements sprouting up around local issues, and an alliance between green groups… Read more The Moscow Times, 12.01.2011
New trend of XXI century. Perspectives of LED market in Russia and worldwide. Interview with George Gogolev, Marketing director of Optogan factory. Prepared by Ksenia Agapova
The first LED factory in Russia marks new stage in development of presidential programme for nano technologies. Acknowledged investors like state corporation ROSNANO, group ONEKSIM and ”Respublic investment company” of Respuclic Sokha became project shareholders. What attracts reputable investors to finance the sector? And what are the real perspectives of this tecjnology in Russia?
Value of green projects by Ksenia Agapova
What makes sponsorship of green building so attractive? Who would you expect to see a sustainable investor? Investment in sustainability is not all about money. Green building is something you do to feel good. And it is the only way to the future. Green investor is an achiever and makes his own kaizen work. Green building is like a challenge with many solutions. The most elegant solutions would become industry`s best practice, mediocre ones would sustain competition. Read more CRE, 18.10.2010
Cross-disciplinary studies of sustainable development of cities. Methodological problems. By Irina Shmeleva
Urbanization is one of the main trends of XX and XXI century. According to UN prediction the global proportion of urban population will rise from 48,7% in 2005 to 59,9% in 2030. In 2005 in urban areas lived 3 150 451 000 people. Biosphere
At the forefront of green building. By Ilya Stupin
Knauf is going to expand its presence at the Russian market of construction materials. The German company will update its product mix and will pay particular attention to environmental characteristics of its products.
During the presence of the company at the Russian market it has fully localised the production of a broad spectrum of modern construction materials and created a strong raw materials base. General manager of CIS KNAUF group Gerd Lenga spoke about the development prospects and new ecological and energy efficiency trends, as well as the situation in construction sector. Expert
From solar panels to eco-cities. By Alexey Shchukin
Eco-technology has already become a big business. For instance, investment in the world alternative energy market already equals 120 billion US dollars a year. However, money isn’t everything. Obviously, people exert a way too negative influence over the environment and consume too much. According to the estimates of Mathis Wackernagel, an American economist, since 1980 we’ve been consuming more resources than is sufficient to support the biosphere. Today this figure exceeds 20%. However, eco-technology offers a chance to balance economic development and smooth the confrontation between humans and nature. Expert
Interest in green building has finally reached a critical mass. By Guy Eames
On numerous occasions I was told that due to its unique climate, extensive building regulations, relatively low cost of power, and cultural barriers, green building had no future in Russia. Those times are now thankfully behind us, as interest in green building in Russia has finally reached a critical mass and the industry is poised for quick growth.
In its first year, the greatest challenge our organisation, the Russia Green Building Council (RuGBC), faced was to break down deep-seated myths about why green building isn’t suitable for Russia. Green building – essentially the concept of minimising the environmental impact of construction whilst maximising the social and economic benefits – has become the norm in many countries worldwide over the last decade. Modern Russia
Bringing Clean Technology to Russia. By Alexander Teddy
While the Russian state pushes hard on local technological innovation, as can be seen with the formation of giant holdings Rostekhnologii and Rusnano, the Finns seem as helpful as anyone in contributing to the cleanliness of new technologies appearing in this huge territory. The Moscow Times
In harmony with nature. By Andrey Evplanov
While expanding big cities run across their own landfills and industrial areas. The authorities need to invest more and more in the environment where people won’t die as a result of their own activities. Developers now are burdened with improving environmental conditions in the residential areas. These investments are bound to make the property more expensive. However, not all developers are willing to invest in our bright future and in any new technologies. What is the solution then? Rossiyskaya Gazeta
Green Building in Russia: trends and prospects. By Larisa Kopylova
| Sustainability or sustainable development is hardly known to many Russians, though many have undoubtedly heard about recent climate change controversy. Sustainability means that we shouldn’t be living regardless of the future generations’ needs and extract all available mineral resources. However, this concept is mostly known to the scientists and environmentalists. As to the environmentally friendly architecture, a part of the whole sustainability concept, it is not very big either. |  |
First published at http://www.goethe.de/russland. This article is posted by permision of the Goethe-Institut Russia.
Retrofitting Russian panel houses. By Moritz Gathmann
| Thousands of residential areas in Russian cities that were built in the Soviet era are now in need of retrofitting. German architects are ready to share their experience of implementing a similar programme called “Reconstructing the East” (Stadtumbau Ost). However, Russian housing market works in a very different way, which hinders similar retrofitting initiatives. | |
First published at http://www.goethe.de/russland. This article is posted by permision of the Goethe-Institut Russia.
Green building takes roots in Russia. By Natalya Matyukova.
While green building is relatively wide-spread around the world, in Russia it is still in its infancy.
In 2007 BREEAM certified Ducat Place III office building was finished (area – 33 thousand sqm, class A+, developer – Hines). Office centre ARCUS III is currently under development (43 thousand sqm, developer - Clearlink). White Gardens office centre of 30 thousand sqm is under development by AIG Lincoln. In St. Petersburg construction of Obvodnoy business centre, which is planned to get LEED Gold, has just started. It was designed by Tsytsin architectural studio. www.dprealty.ru
Free guide to green materials
Stephen George & Partners has published a free online guide on Building Materials and the Environment, containing summaries and data sheets on commonly and not-so-commonly specified construction materials, as well as links to more information.
Pages simply show advantages and disadvantages of each material in terms of their sustainable credentials, referring to established sources such as the BRE Green Guide to Specification and offering sustainable alternatives to materials where relevant.
Authors Joanne Denison and Chris Halligan put together the guide while working on the Sustainable Construction Academy in Dartford, Kent, which the client wanted to be educational for visitors
Building Materials and the Environment.pdf
Russo-British Chamber of Commerce: St. Petersburg needs to change its style. Author – Elena Alekseeva
There is an opinion that Russian developers need to come back to reality and be guided not only by their ambitions, but by the clients’ demands, and, most importantly, recall the meaning of the word ‘quality’. Then the Russian commercial real estate market will recover from the crisis and enter a new, healthier era. These recommendations were voiced at the building and real estate forum organised by the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce (RBCC). The British experts are sure that St. Petersburg only benefited from the crisis. Kvadrat.ru
New Sustainability Standard for Business
The bew standard is being developed in partnership with UL Environment, a business unit of the venerable Underwriters Laboratories to develop and commercialize a company-level standard for sustainability — that is, environmental, social, and corporate governance issues — to be used as a procurement tool for companies, government agencies, and others. The new standard has been long described by its developers in shorthand as “LEED for Companies”.
Green Buildings in Russia – is all still quiet on the Eastern Front? Author – Xavier Poulet-Mathis
Due to the relatively recent Russian interest in green buildings, there are currently less than ten buildings in Russia which have been certified under BREEAM or LEED schemes (one having been developed by a Russian developer, Clearlink). This situation is particularly striking when compared with other emerging markets like China where green building certification schemes are widespread. It appears that this is essentially the result of national priorities, and Russia has recently demonstrated a shift towards such climate-friendly policies.
This blog post in Kluwer Construction Blog (Kluwer Law International) looks at the current construction trends, key market players and advocates of green building in Russia and discussed the legal side of Russia’s recently enacted energy efficiency laws. Kluwer Construction Blog
Think ahead. Author – Alexander Ostrogorsky
Juan Karlos Belosso, marketing and urban planning professional, is sharing his experince of transforming old plants in Barcelona. This experience could certainly be of interest in Russia, and in Moscow, too. Vedomosti 10.10.2010, 22 (205)
Ecomaterial standard – Interview with Armen Khachikyan
National Bureau for Ecological Standards and Ratings together with EcoStandard group, Russia’s leading ecological auditing company, developed a new ecological standard for labeling construction materials, EcoMaterial. More about its structure, differences from other similar standards and market reaction in the interview with Armen Khachikyan, Executive Director at the National Bureau for Ecological Standards and Ratings
Eco-development is all about long-term thinking
Eco-development has arrived in Russia not long before the energy efficiency law was enacted. So far the Russian market has been not very fast in embracing green building ideas. However, some of them have already helped to fight back the economic crisis. Stroypulse
The cost of LEED certification
How much does LEED certification cost in commercial construction? Earning LEED certification involves several types of costs, and you have to consider each separately to get an accurate picture. Let’s envision the cost of LEED as an inverted pyramid with four levels from bottom to top. The bottom level is both the smallest (in size and cost) and the top level is potentially the biggest but also a place where you have a lot of leeway. We’ll start at the bottom.
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Affordable passive housing – case study of effective use by Valdimir Frishter
RuGBC member Ekvator has built the first house using the «Affordable Passive housing» technology. Testing results show a spectacularly low energy use for heating – with outside temperatures from -18 to -23 С and interior temperatures 18-20 С the heating output was a mere 20 kWh / sqm/ pa The cottage in the village of Boretc, which is an example of best practice of reconstruction of an existing building with new technologies.
Sound names: a few carrots and a stick
Developers are not willing to build green building, but the state needs ecological incentives. But instead of government stimulus widely accepted in Europe and USA, Russian authorities prefered stick policy. Alexey Poliakov speaks about conscientious authorities and benefits of green buildings, cofounder and chair of the Board of the RuGBC. Vedomosti 19.04.2010, 69 (2587)
Sustainable and attractive by Chris Willet
With little development in Moscow and few foreign investors currently, green development remains somewhat academic; however, the ‘flight to quality’ and demand for low costs could bring about changes. Real Estate Quarterly
The value of sustainable approach in Russia by Pavel Vishnyakov
An internationally accredited sustainable approach to development in Russia is anticipated to be desired by the market. This will deliver savings in utilities connections to the developer and realise potential benefits in value to the development and occupier.
Green building qaulity standard by Tatiana Prozorova
There are a few buildings in Russia build to green standards. For those few present it takes a lot of effort to achieve green certificate. There is no green standard existing in Russia, and international norms often doesnt work for Russia. We need our own certification system agree ecodevelopment supporters. And it is expected to emerge soon. Property facility management #5, 2009
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Bayer Material Science – another facet of innovative brand
In 2007 MaterialScience branch of Bayer group of companies developed a concept of an eco-commercial building, which was later transformed into a separate Eco-Commercial Building project (ECB). The ECB is based on developing a partnership network of specialized suppliers, designers, architects and developers. Acting as an intermediary and contact agent Bayer MaterialScience uses its experience and its own hi-tech products to transform usual buildings into energy efficient and zero waste ones.
Green investment in post-crisis era by Ivetta Gerasimchuk
In the post-crisis era western investors appear as keen as ever on investing in environmental and sustainability projects, especially those connected with energy efficiency, renewable energy and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. In some G-20 countries these undertakings receive substantial governmental financial support in billions of dollars (with the exception of BRIC+ countries – Argentina, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Russia and Turkey). The key factor for sustainable investment is risk diversification – the sustainable market dynamics is not as vulnerable as other assets popular with investors, especially precious metals and raw materials. Vedomosty 38 4th of March 2010
Direct speech: professionals about timber certification. Interview with Guy Eames. By Oleg Sokolenko
In Russia when we talk about green building the common notion is that green house should be produced from wood as the greenest material. And of course wood is an organic material, which was produced by ecosystems (and that is why it is “truly” ecological). But not all timber is the same. If research this question in detail we discover many interesting details.
The first question refers to wood`s origin. The fish we buy on the market could be caught from the nature or brought up in special water reservoirs. The same situation might happen with timber – the wood for the house could be stolen from nature – cut down from wild forest or wood can be sourced from the responsibly managed forest, where the cut down tree would be replaced by the new young plant.
Back to nature by Janna Lokotkova
Green villages enjoy wide popularity. Aspiration to move from stuffy megalopolis to small suburban settlements is now enchased by trend to ecological lifestyle. Today green credentials become one of the most important parts of residential construction. Experts confirm that almost 20% of new build villages are positioned as ecological. 22.11.09 Известия.ru
Green added value by Georgiy Beregovoy
Currently 3 business-centers are being BREEAM certified and 10 more building in Moscow and Saint-Petersburg approach certification process. Green building is very popular worldwide, but experts predict that green development in Russia would not become a mass market in Russia within next 5 years. 03.12.09 arendator.ru
Sensible Sustainability: 10 reasons to be green
An interview with David Lawrence (MA, MBA, FRICS BREEAM AP, Chairman/Founder RuGBC). Building green means being sensible. By implementing green standards you can construct a better quality product for the costs of a normal building.
Efficient use of resources provides capacity to capture new opportunities and gain momentum. The World Bank`s recent report, states that Russia could earn an additional $84-112 billion in export revenues every year only by reaching its technical energy efficiency potential. This figure is equal to roughly 5 percent of Russia’s 2006 GDP. Only by nurturing population behaviour (switch off the lights and computer when you leave, do not open water taps and leave) we can save 15% of water and energy! By Ksenia Agapova
Winning strategies: green development
Sustainable development is a new term on Russian market. Meanwhile, sustainable construction spreads rapidly worldwide. Energy saving buildings outrun conventional ones for many reasons, featuring significant decrease in operational costs. Materials of round table “Sustainable design”, organized by Vedomosty at 21.10.09 Vedomosti №216 (2486) from 16.11.2009
Green obsessions (inquiry)
Within one month the first building in Moscow (constructed by Hines) would receive its BREEAM certificate. Sustainability, energy efficiency and elternative energy sources are in the spot light of industry on the West already for 30 years. The crisis made it urgent topic in Russia. Inquiry was prepared by arendator.ru to shed the light on the topic.
‘Branding Sustainability’ – a best practice principle? by Clive Woodger
Like ‘branding’, ‘sustainability’ has become a word that means different things to different people and is in danger of becoming just as overused and misused. Sustainability should equally be about culture and people but is generally discussed in the context of specific interests and activities – energy consumption, carbon neutral design, green specifications, etc. Real Estate is obviously in the front line as it has measurable deliverables and outcomes, which can be controlled by legislation and valued accordingly.
Guy Eames: «Green buildings are more profitable».
Russian Green building council was launched. Green architecture now has financial ground and future perspectives. Guy Eames - enterpreneur and ecologist, expert in green building gave interview to on-line nagazine ec-a.ru.
Past publications are available in the publications archive
