Green Rating System, Living Building Challenge, Certifications and Assessments

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Code requirements have broadened their scope to include the welfare of both occupant and environment. In the 1990s, designers began incorporating more "green" practices into their projects. Standards such as LEED and Green Globes were developed to monitor, track, and verify sustainable projects. Residential projects can use ICC 700, National Green Building Standard (NGBS), or LEED for Homes. Green can describe one attribute or multiple characteristics, such as an "energy-efficient building" and a "low-emitting finish." If something is to be considered sustainable, it must meet three benchmarks.
Green Rating System
One of the first green rating systems developed was the Building Research Establishment's Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM). The U.S. Green Building Council (USGB) had developed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), and Canada had developed green Globes for Existing Buildings. Multiple states, local jurisdictions, and federal agencies require LEED or Green Globes certification for certain building projects.
LEED
LEED is a green rating scheme developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). First launched in 2000, LEED was originally developed primarily for the construction of new buildings. The USGBC continues to update its programs and develop new ones. The LEED process was revised significantly in 2009 to LEED version 3 (v3) and in 2013 with LEED version4 (v4). Each program operates on a standardized 100-point scale with additional points available for "Regional Priority" and "Innovation."
Green Globes
The Green Globes rating system can be used for new and existing buildings of all types and includes three programs. Each program is based on a 1000-point scale in multiple categories: indoor environment, site, water, resources, emissions, and project/environmental management. Project information is entered online in a questionnaire-driven assessment, and then the rating system is customized to the project. An approved building can receive a final rating of one, two, three, or four globes.
Living Building Challenge
The Living Building Challenge was developed in 2006 by the Living Future Institute. To be certified, projects must meet a series of performance requirements. This system can be applied to almost every project type. The most current changes to the program encourage greater buildings that are net-zero.
SUSTAINABLE STANDARDS AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS
Sustainable product standards are used specifically to evaluate the green and sustainable characteristics of building materials and products. Some SPSs set high standards for the sustainable characteristic of a building (including social and environmental impact). Others set minimal standards to eliminate unacceptable toxins, materials, or practices. Certification programs are designed to keep claims of sustainable or green attributes truthful and non-deceptive. For example, the forestry Stewardship Council's FSC Certified program uses standard criteria to evaluate wood forests. In 2012, The International Living Future Institute launched...