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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Affordable Housing and Sustainable Design: The Goals Are Aligned
Feature Article
Green building is not just for those with means.
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The Two Passive Houses: A Comparison
News Analysis
PHIUS and PHI Passive House certifications have been considered “separate but equal” in the U.S. marketplace for years. But are they really equivalent?
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The Death and Rebirth of DC Power
Feature Article
Direct current is replacing AC in microgrids and other setups that maximize the efficiency of lighting, HVAC, and onsite renewables.
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The Four Core Issues to Tackle for Resilient Design (And the Programs That Can Help)
Feature Article
As rating systems from LEED to RELi lay out key design steps for resilient design, it’s still up to project teams to bring critical perspective.
