Comparison of Four Global Sustainable Building Rating Systems Carried out With Focus on Hot and Dry Climate

Hind Abdel Moneim Khogali

doi:10.5539/jsd.v9n2p1

Abstract

<p>Several assessment programmes has been developed worldwide on the environmental and energy effect of buildings. The aim of this study is to identify the main and sub categories of sustainable design. The researcher has investigated and compared four global building rating systems, namely leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) in USA, Emirates Green Building Rating System (ESTIDAMA) in Abu Dhabi city, Qatar Sustainability assessment System (QSAS) in the State of Qatar and Australian green Star rating system (AGBC rating system), in Australia. This paper focuses mainly on their processes, contents, similarities and differences, processes, evaluation, their development and wither these systems are applicable to all environments?</p><p>The paper outlined six main categories developed by these global rating systems being: Sustainable site, indoor environmental quality, materials, water efficiency, power supply system and innovations. Sub categories were added according to their social, cultural, economical and legislations conditions.</p>The paper recommended adding four main categories suitable to hot and dry climate.

Highlights

1.1 Definition of Rating SystemRating systems have become a universal trend, many countries around the word apply the rating system on building construction, and it is defined by the leader in energy and environment (LEED) as:‘Rating systems are groups of requirements for projects that want to achieve leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification
Another definition provided by South Africa Green Building Council which is:’ the rating system sets out a "menu" of all the green measures that can be incorporated into a building to make it green
The Emirates Green Building Council (EGBC) has been formed in 2006, with the purpose of advancing the green building principles for environmental protection and ensuring sustainability in the United Arab Emirates, today (EGBC) is actively supporting the UAE to be one of the five global leaders helping to reduce the ecological footprint of the sustainable building environment by 2015. (Council, 2007)

Summary

Introduction

1.1 Definition of Rating SystemRating systems have become a universal trend, many countries around the word apply the rating system on building construction, and it is defined by the leader in energy and environment (LEED) as:‘Rating systems are groups of requirements for projects that want to achieve LEED certification. Another definition provided by South Africa Green Building Council which is:’ the rating system sets out a "menu" of all the green measures that can be incorporated into a building to make it green. The first study has been presented by (WAN, 2014) LEED in a paper on Energy Star, Green Globes, BREAM, CASBEE, NABERS, High quality environmental standards, HK BEAM, Green mark Scheme, GB Tools, AND GBI. The second study prepared by (Fenner, March-2008) to discuss LEED and BREAM tackling the main categories and rating method, cost assessment, accessibility vision for future. (Thaimosy, 2006) prepared the third study in which he has provided deep analysis of the development of LEED and Green Globes, and analysed the LCA, a preliminary assessment of the environmental relevance. The forth study prepared by (Fowler, July-2006) and www.ccsenet.org/jsd

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