Green Building Certification Research Articles

OPTIMIZING HVAC EFFICIENCY AND RELIABILITY: A REVIEW OF MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS

This study presents a comprehensive review of strategies to optimize HVAC systems in commercial and industrial buildings, focusing on enhancing energy efficiency, system reliability, and environmental sustainability. HVAC systems are major energy consumers, contributing significantly to operational costs in large buildings. With increasing energy costs, regulatory pressures, and the push for sustainability, technological advancements and management strategies have emerged to improve HVAC performance. Following PRISMA guidelines, this review analyzed 58 high-quality peer-reviewed studies published between 2010 and 2023. Key findings show that energy management systems (EMS) can reduce energy consumption by up to 30%, while Building Management Systems (BMS) enhance system reliability through centralized control and predictive maintenance. The adoption of eco-friendly refrigerants and energy-efficient designs, such as heat recovery and variable refrigerant flow (VRF) technologies, further lowers energy usage and environmental impact. Additionally, integrating renewable energy sources like solar and geothermal into HVAC systems can reduce energy consumption by as much as 40%. Green building certifications, such as LEED and BREEAM, drive the adoption of optimized HVAC technologies, delivering both environmental and financial benefits. This review underscores the crucial role of HVAC optimization in reducing energy consumption, lowering carbon footprints, and improving the operational performance of buildings, offering valuable insights for building managers, engineers, and policymakers.

Adapting Green Building Practices and Smart Technology in Developing Countries

This paper reviews the integration of green building practices and smart technologies in developing countries, focusing on the challenges and opportunities these regions face. While developed nations have advanced significantly in sustainability through green building certifications and smart systems, developing countries encounter barriers such as financial constraints, limited technical expertise, and insufficient policy frameworks. This research employs a systematic literature review to examine case studies from Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, exploring how these regions can adapt sustainable practices to their unique socio-economic and environmental conditions. The findings reveal that despite significant challenges, green building and smart technologies offer long-term benefits, including improved energy efficiency, reduced operational costs, and enhanced quality of life. Successful adaptations, such as using locally sourced materials and implementing low-cost smart systems, demonstrate the feasibility of sustainable development even in regions with limited resources. Case studies from Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya showcase promising examples where sustainable construction has been successfully integrated. This paper contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing an in-depth analysis of the factors enabling or hindering the adoption of green building and smart technologies in developing nations. The research concludes that stronger governmental support, enhanced technical training, and broader awareness campaigns are essential to overcoming these barriers. Key recommendations include implementing financial incentives for developers, scaling successful green building projects, and fostering public-private partnerships to promote innovation. Additionally, the study calls for policy reforms that align with international sustainability goals while considering local challenges. In conclusion, the integration of green building practices and smart technologies presents a viable solution for sustainable urbanization in developing countries, offering a path toward environmental and economic resilience.

A Research on the Data Utilization Method for the Assessment of Natural Ground Green Area for BIM-Based Green Building Certification

A Research on the Data Utilization Method for the Assessment of Natural Ground Green Area for BIM-Based Green Building Certification

Green Building Certification in Educational Facility

Abstract This study evaluates energy saving in campus facilities toward green building certification by evaluating existing energy consumption, water consumption, and material usage. It supports the green building movement primarily from the education sector to respond to government regulations. The assessment was conducted through EDGE-App, an open-access building performance software developed by IFC, in the Integrated Creative Education Learning Laboratory (i–CELL) Building. EDGE-App calculates the energy savings in the building by comparing the difference between EDGE’s base case and the i-CELL building as the improved case. The variables calculated in this research are energy consumption, water conservation, and material recovery. This building performs 70% energy savings, 42% water savings, and 48% less embodied energy in materials—thus, it was granted an EDGE Advanced Green Building Certification. Furthermore, this study can inform engineers, designers, developers, and other parties about saving energy and optimizing water and recyclable materials in campus facilities.

Trends and challenges in LEED v4.1 healthcare certification: A comprehensive analysis of U.S. hospital scores in 2024

Introduction: This study evaluates the strengths and weaknesses in LEED-HC (Healthcare) version 2024 by analyzing the scorecards of 120 healthcare projects completed in the United States between 2020 and 2024. The research focuses on the relationship between achieved scores, LEED categories, and certification levels, providing insights for improving sustainable healthcare construction. Key findings include: Energy Efficiency Challenges: LEED-HC v.2024 places increased emphasis on energy efficiency, yet scores in the Energy and Atmosphere category remain low, indicating persistent challenges in optimizing energy performance. Strong Performance in Site and Water Efficiency: Healthcare projects consistently scored high in the Sustainable Sites and Water Efficiency categories, demonstrating effective integration of sustainability measures. Balancing Scores Across Categories: Projects compensated for lower energy scores by achieving higher marks in Indoor Environmental Quality and Innovation, helping maintain certification levels. Innovation and Regional Priority Trends: There is a growing trend of utilizing points from Innovation and Regional Priority categories to enhance overall scores. The study offers a benchmark for LEED-HC performance, guiding healthcare facility designers and policymakers in advancing energy-efficient and sustainable practices tailored to healthcare environments. The findings aim to support the development of greener healthcare facilities and inform future refinements of green building certification standards.

The impact of green building certifications on market value and occupant satisfaction

The impact of green building certifications on market value and occupant satisfaction

Optimising the Energy and Resources of Hotel Buildings in Cameroon from a Zero-Carbon Perspective

This article explores the potential for Cameroonian hotel buildings to achieve optimal energy and resource use, contributing to a zero-carbon future. It examines the opportunities that lie in high-performing hotels to achieve the country's ambitious environmental objectives such as reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 32% by 2035 compared with the reference scenario under the Paris Agreement. Then, the article delves into the existing landscape of green building labels and certifications while focusing on those related on hotels specifically like the Green Key. It acknowledges the various hotels categories present in the country and how their specific characteristics influence resource demands. Additionally, it presents the regulations governing the construction and conversion of hotel establishments. Furthermore, the article discusses strategies for optimising the performance of building resources within the tropical context. These involve improving the insulation of the building envelope, the efficiency of systems and the use of renewable energy sources. The article highlights the importance of the prescriptive approach for assessing and the energy performance approach for optimising building performance, using the accessible EDGE energy simulation software. Those approaches are defined in the Ivorian Inter-ministerial Order No. 134/MPEER/MCLU of 18 November 2020, given that Cameroon and Côte d'Ivoire have some similar climate zones. To achieve the EDGE Zero Carbon level, it is essential to demonstrate minimum savings of 40% of energy, 20% of water and 20% of grey energy in materials, and 100% of energy- related emissions neutralised either by renewable energies or by carbon offsets. Finally, the concept of green financing is introduced, examining its potential to facilitate

Exploring green building certification credit selection: A model based on explainable machine learning

Green buildings represent a promising solution for advancing high-quality development in the building sector to combat climate change. Selecting appropriate credits from the rating system based on the distinct characteristics of buildings is a crucial step in the green building certification process. However, in practice, credit selection is a complex and challenging task, often relying on the personal experience of experts. This study develops a model based on explainable machine learning techniques, aiming to aid architects in selecting suitable credits in the early stages of green building design and explore the impact of various factors on credit selection. A case library of 210 green buildings is established to verify the model's performance. The model demonstrated a notable precision rate of 82.38 % in the selection of regular credits. Leveraging SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) technology, the model uncovers a pattern indicating that buildings sharing specific characteristics tend to exhibit similar performance on particular credits, suggesting an inherent preference or avoidance of these credits. The model developed in this study offers practical strategies for architects in credit selection, reducing the reliance on expert opinions and simplifying the credit selection process. The introduction of explainable machine learning techniques enhances the transparency of model decisions and provides targeted insights for architects and standard setters.

Determining the Effectiveness of Green Building Certifications in Terms of Impacts on Sustainability: a Case Study from Australia

Green building is a process of designing a structure in a way that its lifecycle, use, construction, and demolition are allincluded in the project, so that all areas of sustainability are balanced and maintained. This research on Green BuildingCertifications focuses on assessing the impact of green buildings over non-green buildings and thus to understand its effectiveness on overall sustainability. The research uses data from two selected States in Australia, namely Victoria and New South Wales (NSW). Both primary and secondary data were used to understand the impact of green building certifications through comparative, descriptive and inferential analysis.These results demonstrated a 54% increase in meeting environmental standards; 57% and 66% in saving of water per m2 of the floor area of the buildings in NSW and Victoria, respectively; as well as up to 85% decrease in energy use between green buildings compared to non-green buildings over a 12-year span.

Within‐ and across‐province agglomeration of LEED certifications in China

AbstractThis paper investigates the adoption patterns of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification in China, analyzing data from 2010 to 2021. We find that builders' choices of certification levels are positively correlated within each province. However, for commercial buildings, builders differentiate from each other in the choice of certification levels. The study also identifies spatial spillovers of LEED certification across nearby provinces. We propose potential explanations for these findings and discuss their policy implications. The results suggest that the design of certification schemes should account for the strategic behavior of firms. Additionally, regional policies promoting green building certifications may have spillover effects, encouraging adoption in neighboring regions.

Contribution of i-Tree to the Global Green Building Certification Systems LEED and SITES

Contribution of i-Tree to the Global Green Building Certification Systems LEED and SITES

Assesment of Environment Impact of Contribution Project: Toward Green Building Certification and Compliance

Assesment of Environment Impact of Contribution Project: Toward Green Building Certification and Compliance

Land management criteria for green building certification systems in Turkey.

The issue of energy holds significant implications for nations heavily reliant on it, such as Turkey. In recent times, legislative measures, including the Energy Efficiency Law and the Energy Performance Regulation of Buildings, have been enacted in Turkey. Despite the implementation of the Energy Performance Certificate for buildings, the absence of a national green building certification system remains conspicuous. To address this gap, an examination of globally recognized certification systems and relevant components concerning land management, pertinent to Turkey's context, was undertaken. This involved a comprehensive literature review to establish the foundation for survey inquiries. Subsequently, interviews were conducted with subject matter experts in Turkey to glean valuable insights and perspectives. Utilizing the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology, the responses from these experts were collated and analyzed to delineate the criteria and sub-criteria germane to land management. This study delves into the discourse surrounding the establishment of a green building certification system within Turkey, specifically within the domain of land management, a sector of paramount importance, particularly within the purview of survey engineering. Through a structured survey, the criteria pertinent to land management were identified and subjected to rigorous analysis. Furthermore, the sub-criteria within the land management category were delineated, and their respective weights were computed, thereby providing a comprehensive framework for the envisioned green building certification system in Turkey.

COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF “LEED” CERTIFIED SCHOOLS WITH “YES-TR” IN THE CONTEXT OF “GREEN CERTIFICATION”

With the emergence of green building concept in the construction sector, the increase in green building production has resulted in green building certification systems. It is important to establish these certification systems on a national scale for reasons such as the compatibility of sustainable architecture with local conditions and differences in the legislation of countries. It is inevitable to change the criteria of the certification system in accordance with the function of the building. As the schools are directly related to learning as well as providing the health and comfort to the users, there are internationally specialized certification systems for green schools. In this study, some of the LEED-certified schools in Turkiye were compared; these buildings were evaluated within the framework of the “Green Certificate (YeS-TR)” introduced by the Turkiye’s Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change in 2022. The main categories of “LEED v2009 for Schools” and “Green Certificate” were compared; while “sustainable sites” and “regional priority” categories in “LEED v2009 for Schools” are not included in the “Green Certificate”, the main category of “integrated design, construction and management” and “life cycle assessment” were not met in “LEED v2009 for Schools”. As a result of the study, various suggestions were made for the development of certificates in this context.

COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF “LEED” CERTIFIED SCHOOLS WITH “YES-TR” IN THE CONTEXT OF “GREEN CERTIFICATION”

With the emergence of green building concept in the construction sector, the increase in green building production has resulted in green building certification systems. It is important to establish these certification systems on a national scale for reasons such as the compatibility of sustainable architecture with local conditions and differences in the legislation of countries. It is inevitable to change the criteria of the certification system in accordance with the function of the building. As the schools are directly related to learning as well as providing the health and comfort to the users, there are internationally specialized certification systems for green schools. In this study, some of the LEED-certified schools in Turkiye were compared; these buildings were evaluated within the framework of the “Green Certificate (YeS-TR)” introduced by the Turkiye’s Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change in 2022. The main categories of “LEED v2009 for Schools” and “Green Certificate” were compared; while “sustainable sites” and “regional priority” categories in “LEED v2009 for Schools” are not included in the “Green Certificate”, the main category of “integrated design, construction and management” and “life cycle assessment” were not met in “LEED v2009 for Schools”. As a result of the study, various suggestions were made for the development of certificates in this context.

Building a Greener Future: Exploring Sustainable Construction Practices

Abstract: The paper aims to assess the levels of awareness among India practitioners regarding sustainable construction and identify the barriers that hinder its implementation. It adopts a mixed-method approach with questionnaire surveys and interviews to gather data from industry stakeholders. The findings reveal that industry practitioners have average levels of awareness, with a focus on practices such as reduce, reuse, and recycle and green building certification.

The role of policy and regulation in promoting green buildings

Green buildings play a crucial role in sustainable development by reducing energy consumption, minimizing environmental impact, and enhancing occupant health and well-being. This review explores the role of policy and regulation in promoting green buildings, highlighting the importance of government intervention in driving sustainable building practices. Government policies and regulations play a pivotal role in shaping the adoption of green building practices. Through a combination of mandates, incentives, and standards, governments can encourage the construction and renovation of buildings that prioritize energy efficiency, water conservation, and environmental sustainability. Mandatory building codes and standards are among the most effective tools governments use to promote green buildings. These codes set minimum requirements for energy performance, water efficiency, and indoor environmental quality, ensuring that new constructions and major renovations meet established sustainability criteria. In addition to mandatory standards, governments also use financial incentives to encourage green building practices. These incentives may include tax credits, grants, or subsidies for building owners and developers who incorporate sustainable design features or achieve green building certifications. Furthermore, governments can influence the market through procurement policies that prioritize green buildings for public projects. By leading by example, governments can create a ripple effect in the private sector, encouraging more developers and building owners to embrace sustainable building practices. Overall, the role of policy and regulation in promoting green buildings is essential for advancing sustainable development goals. By setting clear standards, providing incentives, and leading by example, governments can create an environment where green buildings are the norm rather than the exception, leading to a more sustainable built environment for future generations.

INVESTMENT FEASIBILITY COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF GREEN BUILDING AND CONVENTIONAL IN DKI JAKARTA

Sustainable buildings generally demonstrate a friendly environment, save energy and reduce operational costs, thus opening up significant investment opportunities in green buildings of the office property type. It is a shame that currently there are still very few office building developers who apply the green building concept, meanwhile the green building concept provides 31% greater profits than conventional buildings. This study aims to analyze the financial feasibility of four office buildings which are divided into two categories, namely category one (building 1 and Building 3) with a grade A building type and category two (building 2 and building 4) with a grade B building type. Building 1 and building 2 has received green building certification issued by GBCI. Building 2 and building 4 are buildings with a conventional concept. Calculation analysis is carried out using the Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and Payback Period (PP) methods. Based on the results of the analysis, from the two categories of building types, the results showed that the NPV of each building was said to be financially feasible with an NPV ratio of 294% (category 1) and 162% (category 2). The IRR obtained exceeds the MARR value, with a comparison of 54% (category 1) and 21% (category 2). The payback period is less than the project investment period, namely 20 years, with a difference of 5 years (category 1) and 3 years (category 2). The office buildings with the highest and best NPV are Building 1 and Building 3 (category 1), so that even though the construction costs and green building design planning costs incurred are higher, in the research object of each building there are quite significant differences in NPV and IRR and It is hoped that all new construction and renovation work carried out by developers can apply the green building concept.

Analysis of critical factors affecting green office retrofits based on the latest green building regulations in Indonesia

The construction industry is responsible for over 40% of global energy consumption and one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions. Generally, 10%–20% of energy is consumed in the manufacturing and transportation stages of materials, construction, maintenance, and demolition. The way the construction industry to deal with these impacts is to intensify sustainable development through green building. The author uses the latest Green Building Certification Standard in Indonesia as the Green Building Guidelines under the Ministry of Public Works and People’s Housing (PUPR) Regulation No. 01/SE/M/2022, as a basis for evaluating existing office buildings or what is often referred to as green retrofit. Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) is used by the authors to detail the factors influencing the application of green building by analyzing several variables related to the problem studied, which are used to build and test statistical models of causal models. From this study, it is concluded that the most influential factors in the implementation of green retrofitting on office buildings are energy savings, water efficiency, renewable energy use, the presence of green building socialization programs, cost planning, design planning, project feasibility studies, material cost, use of the latest technology applications, and price fluctuations. With the results of this research, there is expected to be shared awareness and concern about implementing green buildings and green offices as an initiative to present a more energy-efficient office environment, save operating costs, and provide comfort to customers.

BIM to BREEAM: A workflow for automated daylighting assessment of existing buildings

By conducting an assessment of the existing building stock from the perspective of the Green Building Certification System (GBCS), it is possible to contribute to the improvement of energy utilization and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as promoted through the Renovation Wave strategy by the European Union. These aspirations will simultaneously contribute to enhancing human well-being, indoor environmental quality, and comfort. This paper describes a novel methodology for enhancing the renovation of existing buildings at the design stage using automation within the Building Information Modeling (BIM) environment. By parameterizing the requirements of GBCS using a visual programming tool, real-time insight into the number of achieved certain issue credits in the certification process is enabled. It was also created to enable designers in the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations (AECO) sector to continuously monitor the development of design and make modifications as early as possible in the design process. Thus, cost overruns in design projects, as well as later renovations and building maintenance, are prevented. This research has utilized the capability of BIM to perform rapid compliance simulations with Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) requirements without the need for manual calculations and/or computer simulations in other software, which would increase the time required for analysis due to additional modeling requirements. The methodology is demonstrated using the automation of the Daylighting section of the issue Hea01 Visual Comfort from the Technical Manual SD225 1.4 − BREEAM International Non-Domestic Refurbishment 2015, and the validation was performed on a BIM model of an existing building belonging to the educational sector. The application of the described methodology in the case study reduced the time required for assessing the number of achieved daylighting credits by 40%, with potential savings extending up to 80% depending on the chosen criteria for analysis. The tool is designed to be applicable to other GBCS, building types, and newly designed buildings as well.