San Rafael, Calif. — According to the American Institute of Architects (AIA), buildings are the leading source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, but in a new poll conducted by Harris Interactive and commissioned by Autodesk, Inc., only 4 percent of U.S. adults were aware of this fact.

“The results of the survey reveal an urgent need to raise awareness with the American public about the role of buildings in climate change,” said Jay Bhatt, senior vice president, Autodesk AEC Solutions. “This is especially important given that half the buildings in which Americans will live, play and work by 2030 have yet to be built. We believe that the building industry has a responsibility to do all we can to promote the creation of, and generate increased demand for, much more cost-effective and energy-efficient buildings—which we’ll be doing next week at the Greenbuild Conference and Expo.”

About the Green Building Awareness Survey

The Green Building Awareness survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Autodesk between September 30 and October 6, 2008, among 2,682 adults ages 18 and older. A key finding of the multi-question survey is that only 4 percent of U.S. adults were aware that buildings such as offices, educational facilities and private residences are the leading sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. In fact, according to estimates in the AIA’s Architects and Climate Change report, buildings represent 48 percent of carbon dioxide emissions, with transportation and industry representing 27 percent and 25 percent respectively. The Autodesk survey also revealed that 77 percent believe that constructing a green or highly energy-efficient building costs more than constructing a typical building, with 35 percent believing it costs a lot more. However, according to The Costs and Financial Benefits of Green Buildings, a study funded by the state of California’s Sustainable Building Task Force, spending as little as about 2 percent to support green design up-front would, on average, result in lifecycle savings of 20 percent of total construction costs—an average of 10 times the initial investment. Full results of the Green Building Awareness survey will be available at www.autodesk.com/greenbuild08.

“Most people don’t realize that our homes, schools, and offices are sources of tremendous opportunities —to save energy, save money, create jobs, and ultimately help preserve our climate,” said Michelle Moore, senior vice-president, policy and public affairs for the U.S. Green Building Council. “This new survey underscores how much good work can be done to raise awareness and create the kind of change we need to improve our economy and protect our quality of life on Earth.”