AIA evaluates three major green building rating systems
By Consulting Specifying Engineer Staff -- Consulting-Specifying Engineer, 6/1/2008 1:00:00 AM
AIA released a study of three green building rating systems (Green Globes, SBTool 07, and LEED NC 2.2) and assessed their effectiveness in supporting the goals of the AIA sustainability position statement. In late 2007, the initial results were shared with the three groups whose systems were reviewed. After receiving feedback, the study was modified and further refined into the final report.
The purpose of the exercise is to offer analysis to the industry and public as an opportunity to learn how three unique, creative, and evolving green building rating systems resonate in various dimensions with the goals of the AIA position statement on sustainability and the goal to achieve carbon neutrality in buildings by 2030.
Key findings of the study include:
Green Building Initiative's Green Globes. The study found that the system offers a broad-based evaluation of projects in both the design process and based on environmental criteria. When used to certify a project, the study authors said that more stringent and specific requirements in the areas of energy reduction and operational performance are needed.
U.S. Green Building Council's LEED NC 2.2 system. The study suggests that LEED is a good example of a rating system that provides a measurement of environmental achievement. Continued developments in lifecycle assessment, requirements for renewable energy, or carbon reduction targets for certified projects will continue to make this system an effective resource, according to the study.
International Initiative for a Sustainable Built Environment's SBTool 07. SBTool 07 is a toolkit for designing a rating system, according to the study. If used as a rating system providing certification, SBTool 07 would be stronger if there were an increase in the number of “required” items versus those that are simply encouraged and required project documentation. Specific requirements in the areas of energy reduction and operational performance would supply any rating system approach that comes out of SBTool 07 with performance-based requirements necessary for reaching carbon reduction goals.
