LEED & Other Green Building Certification Systems
Efforts to scientifically measure environmental impact in construction projects began in 1988 at the Building Research Establishment in Watford, England. The initial version of BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method), specifically targeting new office buildings, was launched in 1990.
In the US, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) was introduced in 1998 by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) and remains the most popular sustainable building certification system. Its point system measures a building’s environmental impact, energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and resource conservation. LEED offers different levels of certification based on the number of points earned: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. It applies to various building types, including new buildings, renovations, and neighborhood developments.
Initially, specialized LEED consultants focused solely on helping projects meet these standards. Today, almost every architectural and engineering firm has LEED-accredited professionals among their staff. Despite this mainstreaming of LEED expertise, a niche for specialized sustainability consulting firms still exists. These firms offer services beyond LEED compliance, such as advanced simulation for energy performance, circular economy strategies, natural capital evaluations, and climate resilience planning. They often get involved in policy, planning, and corporate sustainability reporting (ESG).
Other sustainable building certification systems have also gained traction over time. These include Passive House, GreenPoint Rated, Living Building Challenge, and WELL Building Standard.
Passive House (Passivhaus) originated in Germany and is a voluntary standard for building energy efficiency. It focuses on insulation, airtight building envelopes, high-performance windows, and heat-recovery ventilation systems to reduce a building's operational energy consumption.
Developed by Build It Green, GreenPoint Rated is a green building certification program focused on residential buildings in California.
The Living Building Challenge is one of the most rigorous green building certification programs, requiring buildings to produce more energy than they consume and to collect and treat all water on-site. The certification is based on actual performance rather than modeled or anticipated performance.
The International WELL Building Standard enhances people's health and well-being through the built environment. It is primarily concerned with indoor air quality, water quality, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind.