SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Carrier, the world's leader in high technology heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) solutions, is proud to be the presenting sponsor for the third year in a row of the International Summit at Greenbuild 2012 in San Francisco. Approximately 400 building professionals representing 30 countries today gathered at the event to exchange ideas and learn about the latest in green building strategies. Carrier is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX)

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Many countries formed delegations to attend the Sixth Annual Greenbuild International Summit, including France, Colombia, Finland, China, Italy, Mexico, Singapore, Sweden and United Arab Emirates. The event featured a full day of breakout sessions, addressing diverse topics such as "The New Dimension: $3.5 Trillion Fueling Global Green Buildings," "Removing Barriers for International LEED Projects" and "Greening Upwards and Beyond Buildings."  Geraud Darnis, president and CEO, UTC Climate, Controls & Security, presented the lunchtime plenary address on the "Arc of Transformation" in the green building movement.  

"As we stand on the eve of the 20th anniversary of U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the arc of transformation stands in an amazing place with more than 47,000 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED^®) registered projects. We see strong green building rating systems across the world," Darnis said in his remarks. "It's not a question anymore if major development will be green – it's only a discussion of how green?" 

Darnis also introduced high-level findings from a new world green building trends study released by McGraw-Hill Construction in partnership with United Technologies. Some of the highlights include:

• Green building continues to grow. One third of the respondents indicate that more than 60 percent of their work portfolio is in green building activity - double from 2008 survey. Respondents project that by 2015, it will almost double again.  
• Green building is global.  The companies who have more than 60 percent of their work in green buildings are growing in each region of the world, particularly in the Middle East. 
• Green buildings are sought after by building owners and tenants. In 2008, 42 percent of respondents said green building was "the right thing to do."  Today, respondents say clients are asking for green technologies, and green buildings offer lower operating cost. 
• Green building is paying for itself. Forty three percent of respondents report that green retrofit investments pay off in less than five years.  

Carrier has a 19-year history with green buildings and helped establish the USGBC in 1993. It was the first company to join the organization, and is also the only company in the world to be a founding member of the U.S., India, Argentina, China, Singapore and France Green Building Councils. Carrier is also the USGBC's largest global partner for LEED education.   

"We're pleased to join customers in contributing to the body of knowledge around green building," said John Mandyck, chief sustainability officer, UTC Climate, Controls & Security. 

For more information on Carrier and its work in sustainability, visit www.naturalleader.com. To view the McGraw Hill Construction study results, visit http://naturalleader.com/pdf/McGrawHillGBStudy.pdf.

About Carrier
Carrier is the world's leader in high technology heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions. Carrier experts provide sustainable solutions, integrating energy efficient products, building controls, and energy services for residential, commercial, retail, transport and foodservice customers. Founded by the inventor of modern air conditioning, Carrier improves the world around us through engineered innovation and environmental stewardship. Carrier is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp., a leading provider to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide. Visit www.carrier.com for more information.

SOURCE Carrier