What is sustainable construction?

Sustainable construction aims at reducing the environmental impact of a building over its entire lifetime, while optimizing its economic viability and the comfort and safety of its occupants.

Planet - People - Prosperity: a new and more global approach for the construction sector

While standard building practices are guided by short term economic considerations, sustainable construction is based on best practices which emphasize long term affordability, quality and efficiency. At each stage of the life cycle of the building, it increases comfort and quality of life, while decreasing negative environmental impacts and increasing the economic sustainability of the project. A building designed and constructed in a sustainable way minimizes the use of water, raw materials, energy, land … over the whole life cycle of the building.

Sustainable construction also helps achieve gains in human health and prosperity.

http://www.isover.com/Our-commitment-to-sustainability/Toward-sustainable-buildings/What-is-sustainable-construction