Green rating systems
[edit] Introduction
Construction has both direct and indirect environmental impacts. As a result, a large number of 'green' rating systems have been established to help mitigate these impacts through the encouragement, measurement and recognition of sustainability performance.
BRE’s rating system, BREEAM, was the UK’s first green rating system, launched in the 1990s, followed by the US’ Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system in 2000. It is now thought that there are around 600 green certification systems worldwide.
Rating systems measure relative levels of compliance or performance with goals and requirements; generally, the aim is to create projects that are environmentally responsible and use resources efficiently throughout the project lifecycle.
The benefits of using a green rating system include:
- Environmental aspirations can be set.
- Clear goals can be worked towards.
- Environmental performance can be verified.
- Environmental performance can be demonstrated to third parties.
- Improvement can be measured and demonstrated.
- Green education can be facilitated and encouraged.
- Positive marketing can be generated.
Some of the most commonly-used green rating systems include the following:
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- A brief history of Construction product certification schemes.
- A chronology of sustainable building certification schemes.
- Active House.
- Aktivplus.
- Blue Angel ecolabel.
- BREEAM, LEED or WELL.
- BREEAM performance targets
- Buildingomics.
- Building performance metrics.
- Construction product certification schemes.
- Display energy certificate.
- Do green buildings pay?
- Energy certificates for buildings.
- Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.
- Energy related products regulations.
- Energy targets.
- Global Ecolabelling Network.
- Green building.
- GREENGUARD Certification.
- Green Seal.
- Living Standard.
- Moving towards green residential buildings.
- NABERS UK.
- Performance gap.
- Total Resource Use and Efficiency TRUE.
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