A comparative analysis of two building rating systems Part 1: Evaluation

Abstract

Buildings are responsible for a significant proportion of world energy usage, raw material consumption, fresh water withdrawals, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and municipal waste production. In recognition of these problems, buildings are increasingly being procured through green design principles, and a number of tools have been developed to evaluate their environmental performance. This paper compares the two most widely adopted schemes—the UK Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (Breeam) and the international Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (Leed), as implemented by the Canada Green Building Council. The nature and limitations of these kinds of building rating systems are discussed and their performance is analysed by considering the way credits are allocated, their ability to be customised, the complexity involved in the assessment process and the accessibility of the information they generate. The paper indicates some limitations in current practice. Emerging trends that will shape the development of future building rating systems are discussed.