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:
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Lab protocols for chemical emissions from finishes and furniture
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Testing methods for durability of paints, textiles, and many other products
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Standards for energy use, ventilation, thermal comfort, and more
- Rating systems for schools, healthcare facilities, parking garages, landscapes, and healthy spaces
IN-DEPTH
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Declare Labels: Now with Improved Data and Verification
October 8, 2018News Brief
A new partnership between the International Living Future Institute and Toxnot will help manufacturers provide better-quality health information.
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LEED vs. Green Globes: A Definitive Analysis
Reports, Courses, Study Guides, Live Webinars
Green Globes has a new leader and powerful industry backers. But is it truly “better, faster, cheaper”—or none of the above? We match it up point-by-point with LEED in this special 90-page analysis.
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When Passive House Goes Big
February 5, 2018Feature 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.
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BREEAM for New Construction Is Coming to U.S.
July 16, 2018News Analysis
The BREEAM New Construction standard is being adapted for use in the U.S.
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Energy Modeling the ASHRAE 209 Way: Throughout Design and Beyond
July 2, 2018News Brief
ASHRAE 209 guides users through design-phase energy modeling.
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Community-Scale Sustainability: Accelerating Change for People and Planet
December 11, 2017Feature Article
By working at the neighborhood scale, designers and developers can more dramatically improve environmental performance and social equity.
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From Norway, A New Standard for Energy-Positive Design
June 5, 2018News Brief
Powerhouse is a new standard for energy-positive buildings that generate more energy than used for construction, operation, and demolition.
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Affordable Housing and Sustainable Design: The Goals Are Aligned
October 6, 2017Feature Article
Green building is not just for those with means.
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Green Building Initiative Invests in Improving, Growing Green Globes
March 6, 2018News Brief
Green Building Initiative recently acquired the global rights to the Green Globes program as part of a strategy to expand the market reach of the rating system.
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The Death and Rebirth of DC Power
August 4, 2016Feature Article
Direct current is replacing AC in microgrids and other setups that maximize the efficiency of lighting, HVAC, and onsite renewables.
