OVERVIEW
Standards and rating systems have been at the heart of the green building movement at least since U.S. energy standards for buildings (like ASHRAE 90.1) started ratcheting up following the 1970s energy crisis.
If you care about health and sustainability, you can now rely on dozens of ratings and standards for buildings as well as things in and around them, including:
-
Lab protocols for chemical emissions from finishes and furniture
-
Testing methods for durability of paints, textiles, and many other products
-
Standards for energy use, ventilation, thermal comfort, and more
- Rating systems for schools, healthcare facilities, parking garages, landscapes, and healthy spaces
IN-DEPTH
Filter results:
- Case Study (1) Apply Case Study filter
- Feature Article (12) Apply Feature Article filter
- Feature Short (4) Apply Feature Short filter
- Infographic (1) Apply Infographic filter
- News Analysis (73) Apply News Analysis filter
- News Brief (113) Apply News Brief filter
- Op-Ed (4) Apply Op-Ed filter
- Primer (5) Apply Primer filter
- Product Review (3) Apply Product Review filter
- Spotlight Report (1) Apply Spotlight Report filter
- Webcast (1) Apply Webcast filter
-
2021 Energy Code Prioritizes Electrification of Residences
News Brief
Electric outlets must be placed by parking spaces and combustion-based appliances to allow for easy conversions
-
A Review of the Current Net-Zero Energy and Net-Zero Carbon Certification Programs
News Analysis
Until recently, there was only one game in town when it came to net-zero energy and carbon. Now there are several certifications.
-
A New Standard for Replacing Cement with Recycled Glass
News Brief
ASTM C1866 will make it easier to specify low-GWP recycled ground glass as a supplementary cementitious material.
-
Canada’s Zero Carbon Standard Requires Embodied Carbon Offsets
News Brief
Measuring embodied carbon is no longer enough: certified projects now must purchase offsets for embodied carbon and refrigerant leaks.
-
Four Ways the Just Label Can Promote Equity in Firms
News Analysis
The Just label from ILFI helps turn values into actions by focusing attention on social equity.
-
Passive House on Campus: Eight Exemplary Projects
Feature Article
Passive House has energy, carbon, and comfort benefits for higher ed. But getting the details right isn’t easy.
-
Proposed Rule Forces EPA to Ignore Many Health Studies
News Brief
“Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science” is a draft rule requiring disclosure of personal health information. -
When Passive House Goes Big
Feature Article
More projects are proving Passive House is achievable for large urban buildings. The lessons learned along the way can help guide cities to a low-energy, resilient future.
-
Community-Scale Sustainability: Accelerating Change for People and Planet
Feature Article
By working at the neighborhood scale, designers and developers can more dramatically improve environmental performance and social equity.
-
Affordable Housing and Sustainable Design: The Goals Are Aligned
Feature Article
Green building is not just for those with means.
