Something about the way these anecdotes are told often seems to suggest "hah, aren't green regulations stupid" but the message I take is more "modern capitalist organisations can't even get basic things right when given incentives to do so".
Bit of a Rorschach test depending on your preconceived notions I guess, though I've always thought of myself as pro-market and these stories make me question that.
As I see it, these aren't green regulations at all.
As mabbo mentions, there is no conformance enforcement after the design stage, and the whole thing feels like it being used for self-advertisment instead of actually being "green".
The "green" is in quotes here, because the building office is basically a greenhouse (glass facade from all sides) in a hot climate where air conditioning is needed most of the year.
Another thing that sucks is that offices refuse to let in fresh air. Even in a warm climate the outside is often cooler than a closed up greenhouse with equipment running.
Bit of a Rorschach test depending on your preconceived notions I guess, though I've always thought of myself as pro-market and these stories make me question that.