What is Green Building Certification? Benefits and Their Types

There is no doubt that sustainability is an important pillar in the socio-economic condition of today’s world. Things have changed drastically from the point where profit was the main challenge, driven by investor expectations. If we take a closer look at the construction and real estate industry today, the demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly business practices is at an all-time high.

These global concerns have resulted in green building certifications, which have emerged as a powerful tool to foster sustainable practices in the construction and real estate industries.

Starting in the 1980’s there was a need for a mark in the real estate market that required a stamp of approval for environmental performance.

“This is GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION.”

This is a rating tool that evaluates buildings for specific sustainability and environmental standards.

They aren’t a one-fit for; yet the goal of green building is to create healthier, more efficient, and environmentally responsible built environments for present and future generations.

BENEFITS OF GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATIONS

Green building certifications are becoming increasingly important as a tool to demonstrate that a property is committed to sustainability. They guide the design, construction, and maintenance of buildings to be more energy-efficient and water-conservative, substantially reducing their environmental footprint. 

• Cost Saving: Green buildings are designed to be energy and water-efficient, resulting in lower operating costs over the long term.
• Increased Property Value: Properties with green certifications often have higher market value compared to similar non-certified buildings. They are considered more modern, future-proof, and desirable, leading to higher rental and sale prices.
• Improved Occupant Health: Green buildings often provide better indoor air quality and access to natural light, leading to improved occupant health, well-being, and productivity. This can be a selling point for potential tenants, especially businesses looking to maximize employee performance and satisfaction.
• Risk Management: Green certifications can help commercial property owners mitigate risks associated with regulatory compliance.

Green building certification provides a framework that proves a building meets specific sustainability goals. There are several types of green building certifications available. Some of the widely used are:

Types of Green Building Certifications

1. LEED (LEADERSHIP IN ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN)

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a globally recognized green building certification developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and is the most common certification found around the world. It follows a points-based system, with assessment criteria like energy usage, water efficiency, waste management, and indoor environmental quality. Based on the points achieved, buildings can earn certification at Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum levels, with Platinum being the highest tier.

2. BREEAM ( BUILDING RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT METHOD)

Established in 1990, BREEAM is one of the oldest green certificates developed by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) in UK, widely used as an environmental assessment method for buildings and infrastructure projects. It measures a building’s environmental impact across ten categories, including energy, water, waste, pollution, transport, and ecology.

Each criterion is assigned points, and the building is awarded a certification level from Pass to Outstanding based on the total points achieved.

3. GREEN GLOBES

The Green Globes is a sustainable building certification that is provided by the Green Building Initiative (GBI). They rate and certify new buildings, refurbishments, and existing structures on the metrics of environmental sustainability, resilience, health, and wellness.

Though this certification originated in Canada, it was brought to the United States by GBI, where flexibility and user friendliness a key factors in enabling an online survey, a third-party on-site assessment, and a post-assessment, with buildings earning a rating of one to four green globes.

4. ENERGY STAR

Energy Star certification is a widely recognized voluntary program recognized as a symbol of energy efficiency backed by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S Department of Energy. This one-of-a-kind program measures the energy efficiency performance of a building relative to similar buildings nationwide. The score is calculated using a statistical model that considers factors such as building size, location and operational characteristics.

5. WELL BUILDING STANDARD

Administered by the WELL Building Institute, the WELL Building Standard takes a different approach to sustainability in buildings, focusing on the overall impact of buildings on human health and well-being, including air quality, water quality, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mental well-being.

 It can be applied to any construction project, and the levels of achievement are Silver, Gold, and Platinum Certification. With endless positive impact, WELL Certified buildings are those that improve the nutrition, fitness, mood, sleep patterns, and performance of their inhabitants.

6. EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE)

A standout green building certification system for residential and commercial buildings in emerging markets!

Available globally, this is the first of its kind that enables design teams and project owners to assess the most cost-effective ways to incorporate energy and water-saving options into their buildings. Developments can obtain certification by achieving a minimum projected reduction of 20% in energy and water use, in addition to savings in energy embodied in materials, compared to a standard building.

So, whether you are in the real estate sector or under management, applying for green building certification is a fantastic idea. Though it is stringent and requires some work, we can definitely say the investment is worth it!