Green Building Certifications

If one of the projects goals is to use an environmental assessment program there are several major green building standards available that are appropriate for commercial projects. They are as follows:

1. LEED
2. Green Globes
3. BREEAM
4. GBC
5. DOE-Sustainable Design Program
6. EPA

Of the certifications listed above, LEED is the older and more widely recognized rating system, but Green Globes does have an ease of use and low cost that many private developers find attractive. Both originated from a version of the United Kingdom Building Research Environment Assessment Method (BREEAM).