CHICAGO-While energy costs are still one of the main reasons why corporate real estate executives pursue sustainability, an increasing number of them say employee health and productivity is the main reason they choose green buildings.

These insights were gained though the fourth annual Sustainability Survey. Conducted by CoreNet Global and Jones Lang LaSalle since 2007, the survey includes responses from executives around the world.

The most recent survey found that executives are more in tune with the less-tangible workforce benefits of sustainability. For example, 32% of respondents ranked energy cost as their most important sustainability metric, down from 37% who ranked it number one in 2009.