Mapping global public interests in green buildings

The development of green buildings is inseparable from public awareness and supports. However, most existing studies focus on the supply side, namely the design and construction of green buildings, with few studies address the public awareness and interests in green buildings. Little is known about whether people in different countries have different levels of interests in green buildings, and how people's such interests change along with time. This study aims to assess and map global public interests in green buildings, thereby contributing to future global efforts to promote sustainable built environment worldwide. Based on Google Trends and the latest data visualization technique, this study analyzes the changing public interests in green buildings across the globe during the past five years. The findings reveal that public interests in green buildings significantly varies in different countries, and it is generally lower than public interests in other environmental topics such as climate change and renewable energy. It is urgent to raise the public awareness and interests in green buildings worldwide, especially in developing countries. This study establishes a basis for formulating future international political and industrial agenda to promote sustainable built environment worldwide.