Green building certifications overview: LEED, BREEAM, WELL and other

Green building certifications - what are they and why are they important? 

Green building certifications are standardized criteria that assess whether a building or structure meets the principles of sustainable development and is environmentally friendly. The first standard, BREEAM, was introduced in 1990. Three years later, in the United States, the Green Building Council was established to promote sustainable practices in construction and the building industry.

Why are green building certifications so important? A building that meets their requirements has a reduced environmental impact. This can be achieved in various ways, including:

• reducing its carbon footprint,
• ensuring high energy efficiency and a passive design,
• using renewable energy sources,
• providing comfortable working conditions by improving air quality or using natural lighting methods.

Today, the green building concept is a powerful tool in combating climate change. While these projects can be costly, they provide tangible benefits to businesses. What structures can companies take inspiration from? There is no shortage of impressive examples! Some of the most notable include Shanghai Tower and Bank of America, both with LEED Platinum certification, as well as The Cube in Berlin, which meets the highest standards for BREEAM, WELL, and DGNB certifications.

Types of Green Building Certifications – A Review of the Most Popular Standards

Since the principles of green building started developing over half a century ago, businesses today can apply for many different types of certifications. Let’s take a look at the most popular ones.

Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM)

This British system was introduced in 1990 and is now used in over 70 countries. The BREEAM certification evaluates seven different categories, including water usage, pollution generation, transportation, energy demand, land use, and ecology. There are six levels of BREEAM certification, ranging from Unclassified to Outstanding.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)

Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED certification is awarded at four levels – Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. To obtain the certification, an independent audit must be conducted, and a fee is required, which can range from $3,000 to over $1 million. The evaluation criteria consider aspects such as design, construction, and maintenance.

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen (DGNB)

The German DGNB system was introduced in 2009. It assesses criteria such as ecology, economy, functionality, technical quality, operational processes, and site development. The DGNB certification is available in four classes: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.

Of course, these are not the only green building standards. Other examples include Taiwanese EEWH, Swedish BREEAM-SE, and Green Globes, which are awarded to commercial buildings. A single building can also receive multiple certifications.

Green Building Certification – How to Obtain It and What Are the Benefits?

Each green building certification has specific requirements that must be met during the design phase. This typically involves collaboration between architects, renewable energy specialists, engineers, and legal experts. Let’s look at the benefits of green building using BREEAM as an example. The advantages of obtaining this certification can be divided into four main categories:

• Environmental benefits – reduced carbon footprint, conservation of resources, and protection of biodiversity.
• Economic benefits – increased property value, lower operational costs, easier access to funding, and enhanced competitive advantage.
• Social benefits – improved quality of life for users, enhanced comfort, and a better brand image as an environmentally responsible business.
• Compliance benefits – meeting legal and regulatory requirements, which is particularly useful for companies that need to implement ESG strategies.

LEED, BREEAM, WELL – A Comparison of the Most Important Green Building Certifications

Since businesses can apply for various green certifications, it’s useful to understand how the most popular ones differ. Let’s compare LEED, BREEAM, and WELL.

• BREEAM is designed according to British law and construction standards.
• LEED reflects the American standards established by ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers).
• WELL focuses primarily on the well-being of building occupants, rather than environmental impact. It is often used as a complementary certification to BREEAM or LEED, as it evaluates not just the building but also its infrastructure, such as soundproofed rooms, access to nature, amenities for mothers with children, and fitness spaces.

Currently, there are four types of BREEAM certifications. The certification process consists of two stages – evaluation of the design and assessment after construction. The certification for an existing building is valid for three years, while for a newly built one, it is permanent. Experts assess 10 different categories, and the final rating is given as a percentage score.

For LEED, there are five types of certifications depending on the building type. The evaluation is also two-stage, but certifications are valid for five years. Additionally, indoor conditions must be monitored. There are seven evaluation categories, and the maximum score is 110 points.

The WELL system has evolved over time, and new evaluation categories have been introduced. In WELL V2, there are now 11 categories in total.

How to Choose the Right Green Building Certification for Your Project?

Selecting the right green building certification requires analyzing available options and costs. It is best to consider certification during the design phase, as it is easier (and cheaper) to implement eco-friendly solutions at this stage.

In practice, businesses often first aim for LEED or BREEAM. Once obtained, they may apply for WELL. It’s important to remember that a building can be modernized over time to meet higher certification standards.

If you want to operate sustainably, green building certifications are an excellent tool. They optimize operating costs, increase profitability from renting office space, and ensure compliance with regulations.