1. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design): LEED is one of the most well-known certifications for green building. It evaluates the overall sustainability and energy efficiency of a building, considering aspects such as site development, water and energy efficiency, use of sustainable materials, indoor environmental quality, and innovation in design.
2. Passive House: The Passive House standard focuses on ultra-energy efficiency and superior thermal performance. It ensures minimal energy consumption for heating, cooling, and overall building operation, leading to significant energy savings.
3. Green Globes: Green Globes is a flexible certification system that offers sustainable construction rating to both residential and commercial buildings. It assesses various aspects of sustainability, including energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor air quality, and waste management.
4. Living Building Challenge: The Living Building Challenge is considered one of the most stringent green building certifications. It focuses on creating buildings that operate as self-sufficient systems, generating all of their energy from renewable sources and achieving net-zero energy, water self-sufficiency, and healthy indoor environments.
5. BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method): Popular in the UK and Europe, BREEAM assesses the environmental impact of buildings based on criteria like energy efficiency, water usage, materials, pollution, and ecology. It provides ratings ranging from “Pass” to “Outstanding.”
6. WELL Building Standard: While not specific to eco-consciousness, the WELL Building Standard focuses on occupant health and well-being. It addresses factors such as air and water quality, lighting, comfort, and mental well-being. Although not entirely focused on sustainability, it complements green building certifications.
7. National Green Building Standard (NGBS): Developed by the National Association of Home Builders, the NGBS assesses the sustainability and performance of residential buildings. It covers energy efficiency, resource conservation, indoor air quality, and sustainable design and construction practices.
8. EarthCraft: Primarily used in the Southeastern United States, EarthCraft is a regional green building certification that emphasizes energy efficiency, resource efficient design, indoor air quality, and water conservation in residential buildings.
9. Green Star: Developed in Australia, Green Star is an environmentally focused rating system for buildings. It assesses factors such as energy and water use, indoor environment quality, materials selection, and ecological impact.
10. ENERGY STAR: While not exclusively for home construction, ENERGY STAR is a widely recognized certification for energy efficiency. It signifies that a building meets or exceeds strict energy performance standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
These certifications and standards contribute to sustainable construction practices and help reduce the environmental impact of buildings. It is important to note that their availability and prominence may vary across regions.