Chapter Two – Components of Sustainable Design and Construction

This chapter offers an overview of Green Building Evaluation Systems including the USGBC Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification and Rating System and the Green Globes Certification Rating System. This chapter also explains how the LEED Points Rating System works and the differences between version 3 (and earlier) and version 4. It also discusses the Whole Building Design Guide (WBDG) in addition to giving an overview of the Green Building Initiative (GBI). Differences between the LEED and Green Globes Rating Systems are explored as is Third Party Assessment/Certification systems and costs. Also discussed are Green Rating Standards used worldwide such as the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), ENERGY STAR, the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), Japan GreenBuild Council (JaGBC)/Japan Sustainable Building Consortium (JSBC), the Mexico Green Building Council (CMES), and others.