The development of incentives will require support from senior management and elected officials, and from the staff that will be affected.

Incentives can range from direct financial incentives such as grants or tax credits, to processes that lower development costs by shortening the development timeline, to zoning incentives that increase the financial feasibility of a project. Incentives demonstrate public support for green building and can help offset the costs incurred by early adopters as they are gaining the knowledge and skills to deliver green building projects.