Green Buildings: Sustainability, Efficiency, and Certification
Green buildings are designed to optimize resource efficiency and sustainability, surpassing conventional construction standards. They offer numerous benefits, including improved occupant well-being, reduced resource consumption, and enhanced environmental integration. By promoting low-carbon development, green building practices significantly reduce GHG emissions (by 50%), lower operational costs (by 25%), and improve occupant satisfaction (by 30%). While initial costs may be higher, life-cycle cost analyses confirm their long-term financial advantages.
Green buildings can earn certifications recognizing their sustainability efforts. BREEAM, established in 1990 in the UK, set the benchmark for later standards, including LEED (U.S.) and Green Globes (Canada). While BREEAM is the most stringent, LEED is the most widely recognized worldwide. These certifications help drive the construction industry toward low-to-zero carbon emissions and long-term sustainability.
Figure 01 LEED Certification A. Award Scoring Categories, B. Types of Accreditation & C. Scorecard Categories
Sources:
- GBES. (2019, September 8). #1-Selling LEED Certification Classes. Retrieved October 16, 2022, from GBES: https://www.gbes.com/blog/2019/09/08/leed-certification-classes/
- Knox, N. (2021, October 15). Explore LEED credits in an interactive LEED scorecard. Retrieved October 16, 2022, from USGBC: https://www.usgbc.org/articles/explore-leed-credits-interactive-leed-scorecard
- Kubba, S. (2017). Handbook of Green Building Design and Construction: LEED, BREEAM, and Green Globes (2nd ed.). Kidlington, United Kingdom: Elsevier Inc. Retrieved October 16, 2022
- LEED. (2022, October 16). LEED rating system. Retrieved from USGBC: https://www.usgbc.org/leed
- Liao, B., & Li, L. (2022). How can green building development promote carbon emission reduction efficiency of the construction industry?——Based on the dual perspective of industry and space. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29(50), 9852–9866. Retrieved October 16, 2022, from https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-16380-2
- Shanika, A., Ramachandra, W., & Ramachandra, T. (2018). Economic sustainability of green buildings: a comparative analysis of green vs non-green. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 8(5), 528-543. doi:10.1108/BEPAM-10-2017-0105