Green building certifications give owners, tenants and investors an independent measure of how a building performs. With several schemes in use, it is not always clear which one suits a project. This article explains five things to know about the most widely recognised certifications.
LEED
LEED, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, is one of the most widely used rating systems in the world. Projects earn points across categories and achieve one of four levels.
LEED assesses:
- Energy and atmosphere performance
- Water efficiency inside and outside the building
- Materials, resources and waste
- Indoor environmental quality
BREEAM
BREEAM is the established scheme in the UK and much of Europe. It assesses a building at design stage and again after construction, so promises are checked against what was built.
BREEAM covers:
- Management of the design and construction process
- Health and wellbeing of occupants
- Land use, ecology and pollution
- Transport and access to the site
WELL
The WELL Building Standard focuses on people rather than the building’s environmental impact. It measures how spaces support health, comfort and wellbeing.
WELL looks at:
- Air and water quality
- Light, thermal comfort and sound
- Movement, nourishment and mind
- Ongoing performance testing
Choosing the Right Scheme
The best certification depends on where the project is, who will use it and what the owner wants to demonstrate. Some projects pursue more than one.
Questions to ask:
- Which scheme do tenants and investors expect?
- Is the focus on environmental impact or occupant health?
- What level is realistic within the budget?
Planning for Certification
Certification is far easier when it is planned from the start of design. Trying to add it late usually costs more and scores less.
Steps for a smooth process:
- Appoint an assessor early in design
- Set a target level and track points as design develops
- Collect evidence throughout construction
- Test and commission systems before handover
A certificate on the wall is only worth as much as the building behind it. Chosen and planned well, green certification is proof that a building performs as promised.
