The Natural Marketing Institute (NMI), a Harleysville, Penn.-based provider of research and consulting services, has conducted research with Silvercliffe Media of Lafayette, Colo., and found that the U.S. lifestyles of health and sustainability (LOHAS) market for 2005 was $209 billion.
The study was conducted over a six-month period in 2006 and represents data culled from an array of primary and secondary research from industry groups, the U.S. government and other sources. Based on this research, $400 million was spent on renewable energy, which includes green pricing programs and renewable energy certificates. In addition, $49.7 billion was spent on green buildings, which includes ENERGY STAR products and homes, other green-certified homes, materials and solar panels.