Green Building Certification: LEED, BREEAM, and More
As the world shifts towards more sustainable and eco-friendly living, green building certifications have become increasingly important. They provide a framework for designing, constructing, and maintaining buildings in a way that reduces their impact on the environment and improves the health and well-being of their occupants. In this article, we’ll explore some of the leading green building certification systems globally and their roles in promoting sustainable construction practices.
LEED: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is one of the most widely used green building certification systems globally. It provides a comprehensive framework for achieving sustainability goals in all building sectors, from new construction to operations and maintenance.
LEED-certified buildings are designed to use less water and energy, reduce carbon emissions, improve indoor air quality, and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers, and the broader community. The certification is based on a points system, with four levels of certification: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.
BREEAM: Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method
The Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) is a UK-based green building certification that has been widely adopted across Europe. Like LEED, it covers a wide range of building types and assesses them based on various sustainability metrics, including energy use, water use, health and well-being, pollution, transport, materials, waste, ecology, and management processes.
BREEAM certification encourages designers, architects, and builders to consider and minimize the environmental impacts of their buildings at each stage of the building’s life cycle—from planning and design to construction, operation, and eventual demolition.
Other Certification Systems
Other notable green building certification systems include Green Star (Australia), CASBEE (Japan), DGNB (Germany), and HQE (France). Each of these systems has its own unique criteria and scoring system, but all share a common goal of promoting sustainable building practices.
India’s green building movement is also well underway with its own certification system, the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). IGBC’s system is modeled after LEED but adapted to suit local climate, culture, and construction practices.
Green Certified Buildings in India
Here is a table showcasing some of the prominent green certified buildings in India:
| Building Name | Location | Certification | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| CII-Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre | Hyderabad | LEED | Platinum |
| Rajiv Gandhi International Airport | Hyderabad | LEED | Silver |
| ITC Green Centre | Gurgaon | LEED | Platinum |
| Wipro Technologies | Gurgaon | LEED | Gold |
| Suzlon One Earth | Pune | LEED | Platinum |
| Infosys Campus | Mysore | LEED | Platinum |
| TCS Technopark | Chennai | LEED | Platinum |
| Godrej BKC | Mumbai | LEED | Platinum |
In conclusion, green building certification systems play a vital role in promoting sustainable construction practices around the world. They provide a robust framework for designing and constructing buildings that are not only better for the environment but also healthier and more comfortable for the people who live and work in them.