Sustainability has become a cornerstone of modern construction and facility management practices. Green building certifications, such as LEED, BREEAM, and WELL, are designed to guide and recognize efforts in creating environmentally responsible and resource-efficient buildings. In recent years, green building certifications have become increasingly important for facility managers and building operators. These certifications demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and offer numerous benefits in terms of energy efficiency, cost savings, and occupant well-being.
This article will explore the most prominent green building certifications, their requirements, and the impact they have on facility management and building operations.
What are green building certifications?
Green building certifications are standards and frameworks that evaluate the environmental performance and sustainability of a building. These certifications assess factors like energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor air quality, and material use. Achieving certification not only demonstrates environmental stewardship but can also improve a building's marketability, operational efficiency, and long-term value.
Why are green building certifications important?
- Environmental impact reduction
- Encourage energy efficiency and water conservation.
- Reduce waste and pollution.
- Promote the use of sustainable and eco-friendly materials.
- Economic advantages
- Lower operational costs through efficient resource use.
- Enhance property value and attract higher occupancy rates.
- Unlock access to tax incentives, rebates, and green financing options.
- Enhanced occupant well-being
- Improve indoor air quality, lighting, and thermal comfort.
- Foster healthier and more productive environments for occupants.
- Address psychological well-being through design elements like natural light and biophilic features.
- Compliance and recognition
- Help meet regulatory requirements and sustainability mandates.
- Provide industry recognition and improve the building's market reputation.
- Operational efficiency
- Streamline building management with smart technologies.
- Optimize energy and resource consumption to minimize waste.
Key certifications to consider
1. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
LEED, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is one of the most widely recognized green building certification systems globally. It covers various aspects of building design, construction, operations, and maintenance. LEED offers multiple rating systems for projects, including new construction, existing Buildings, and commercial Interiors. It uses a point-based system with four certification levels: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. The certification focuses on areas such as energy efficiency, water conservation, sustainable materials, indoor environmental quality, and location/transportation.
For facility managers, implementing LEED principles involves incorporating sustainable practices into daily operations, monitoring and optimizing energy and water consumption, maintaining indoor air quality and occupant comfort, developing green cleaning policies, and conducting regular waste audits to improve recycling programs. However, challenges include initial costs for upgrades and certification, ongoing documentation requirements, and balancing sustainability goals with budget constraints.
2. WELL Building Standard
The WELL Building Standard, administered by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), primarily focuses on the health and well-being of building occupants. It covers aspects such as air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, and comfort, offering three certification levels: Silver, Gold, and Platinum.
Facility managers implementing WELL principles need to focus on advanced air filtration and ventilation systems, ensuring access to clean drinking water, promoting healthy food options, optimizing lighting conditions, and creating spaces that encourage physical activity and mental well-being. Challenges include balancing occupant preferences with health-focused design elements, ongoing monitoring of indoor environmental quality, and educating occupants about WELL features.
3. BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology)
BREEAM, originating in the UK, is another widely used green building certification system, particularly popular in Europe. It offers a flexible framework adaptable to local conditions and regulations, covering new construction, refurbishment, and in-use assessments. BREEAM categories include energy, health and wellbeing, innovation, land use, materials, management, pollution, transport, waste, and water.
Facility managers implementing BREEAM focus on long-term sustainability strategies, energy-efficient systems and technologies, sustainable transportation options, effective water resource management, and proper waste management and recycling practices. Challenges include adapting to local regulations, coordinating with various stakeholders for comprehensive sustainability efforts, and continuous improvement to maintain certification status.
3. WELL Building Standard
The WELL Building Standard, administered by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), primarily focuses on the health and well-being of building occupants. It covers aspects such as air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, and comfort, offering three certification levels: Silver, Gold, and Platinum.
Facility managers implementing WELL principles need to focus on advanced air filtration and ventilation systems, ensuring access to clean drinking water, promoting healthy food options, optimizing lighting conditions, and creating spaces that encourage physical activity and mental well-being. Challenges include balancing occupant preferences with health-focused design elements, ongoing monitoring of indoor environmental quality, and educating occupants about WELL features.
4. Living Building Challenge (LBC)
The Living Building Challenge, created by the International Living Future Institute, is one of the most rigorous green building certification systems available. It promotes regenerative design principles across seven performance categories: Place, Water, Energy, Health & Happiness, Materials, Equity, and Beauty. LBC requires net-positive energy and water use.
For facility managers, implementing LBC involves on-site renewable energy generation, comprehensive water resource management, use of non-toxic and sustainable materials, creating equitable spaces, and integrating biophilic design elements. Major challenges include achieving net-positive energy and water use, sourcing materials that meet stringent sustainability criteria, and balancing ambitious goals with practical operational constraints.
5. ENERGY STAR
While not a comprehensive green building certification, ENERGY STAR is a crucial program for energy efficiency in buildings, developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It focuses specifically on energy performance, providing a 1-100 score comparing a building's energy use to similar buildings nationwide. Buildings scoring 75 or higher are eligible for ENERGY STAR certification.
Facility managers working with ENERGY STAR need to continuously monitor and optimize energy consumption, implement energy-efficient technologies, educate occupants on energy-saving behaviors, and regularly benchmark performance against similar buildings. Challenges include maintaining high energy performance in older buildings, balancing efficiency with occupant comfort, and keeping up with evolving energy efficiency technologies.
Impact on facility management and building operations
Implementing green building certifications has significant implications for facility management and building operations. Energy management becomes a central focus, requiring advanced systems, regular audits, and investment in efficient technologies. Water conservation efforts often include low-flow fixtures, rainwater harvesting, and efficient landscaping practices. Waste management programs must be comprehensive, including recycling, composting, and occupant education.
Indoor environmental quality is crucial, encompassing ventilation, air filtration, use of low-VOC materials, and green cleaning practices. Occupant engagement is essential, requiring communication strategies, feedback mechanisms, and sustainability-focused events. Continuous improvement is necessary, involving data collection, policy updates, and staying informed about emerging green technologies. While green certifications can lead to long-term cost savings, they often require initial investments. Facility managers must develop business cases for sustainability initiatives, balance short-term costs with long-term benefits, and explore available incentives. Documentation and reporting are typically extensive, requiring systems for tracking sustainability data, clear processes for information collection, and regular performance reporting.
Conclusion
Green building certifications have become integral to modern facility management and building operations. Despite challenges in costs, maintenance, and documentation, the benefits are substantial, including improved environmental sustainability, occupant health and productivity, reduced operating costs, and enhanced property values.
For facility managers and building operators, staying informed about various green building certifications and their requirements is crucial. By implementing sustainable practices, engaging occupants, and continually striving for improvement, facility managers can play a pivotal role in creating healthier, more efficient, and environmentally responsible built environments. As the field evolves, adaptability and openness to new technologies and strategies will be key to long-term success in an increasingly sustainability-focused world. As a result, these certifications go a long way in actually addressing the problem of climate change which is still denied by many, and hence enforce actionable activities for reducing energy wastage and pursuing efficiency!
