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Green Globes

The Green Building Initiative's (GBI) mission is to accelerate the adoption of practical, credible building practices that result in energy-efficient, healthy, and environmentally sustainable homes and commercial buildings. To this end, GBI introduced Green Globes environmental assessment and rating tool in the U.S. in 2004. It's an online green management tool that offers an interactive, flexible, and affordable approach to environmental design. It includes an assessment protocol, rating system, and guide for integrating environmentally friendly design into commercial buildings.

Self-assessment occurs in two phases: during the schematic design stage (which corresponds with site plan approval), and during the construction documents stage (which typically corresponds with building permit approval). This allows design teams, clients and municipal authorities to review a detailed report that provides the percentage of points likely to be achieved (out of 1000), highlights of the project’s environmental attributes, and suggestions for improvements.

Up to 1000 points can be earned in the following 7 categories:

• Project Management-Policies and Practices
• Site
• Energy
• Water
• Resources, Building Materials and Solid Waste
• Emissions and Effluents
• Indoor Environment

While points are earned, it the percentage of earned pioints to achievable or applicable points that relates to the level of certification granted. Green Globes has four levels of certification:

• One Globe (35-54 %)
• Two Globes (55-69%)
• Three Globes (70-84 %)
• Four Globes (85-100%)

- Robyn Parker, AIA LEED AP

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