It isn’t just the environment that benefits from green star rated buildings – it can also add to the bottom line of companies that invest in the structures in the long run.

Although green buildings can cost more in the short term, they retain their value, several speakers at the NZ Green Building Council's Summit last week said.

Australian company Drapac invests only in sustainable buildings, and its funds manager Adam Murchie said that 70% of people reported in a recent UK study that fund managers did not take enough appropriate action on sustainability.