A new study by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the University of Michigan’s Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning suggests that structures built to green standards can advance building resiliency.

Efficiency-focused features may help green buildings and their occupants ride out long-term climate shifts – such as droughts or heat waves – and even give an edge in short-term disasters by staying dry in floods and well sealed during high winds.