LEED and Green Globes:
Which is For You?
Wayne Robertson, PE, LEED AP
Energy Ace, Inc.
LEED and Green Globes
• LEED is the market leader
– 5,000 certified buildings worldwide
– 100 in Atlanta area
• Green Globes is the challenger
– 100 Certified Buildings in US
– Three in Atlanta area
The Next Duopoly?
Is Green Globes Relevant?
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•
•
•
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Proposed Atlanta Sustainable Building Ordinance – LEED or Green Globes
City of Chamblee – LEED or Green Globes
Athens-Clarke County – LEED or Green Globes
Model Green Building Ordinance – LEED or Green Globes
Fifteen Veterans Affairs Medical Centers in 10 states are Green Globes
CDC Sustainable Buildings Checklist –
Is Green Globes Relevant?
• Green Globes is now the ANSI Standard for Commercial Green Building
What is “Green” Building?
Design and construction practices that significantly reduce or eliminate
the negative impact of buildings on the environment and occupants
Image Source: USGBC
A Green Building
High-Efficiency
HVAC
Daylighting
Reflective Roof
Reduced
Parking
with priority
for LEVs
Local Brick
Reflective Paving
with Recycled Content
Open Space
Views
Green Roof
Green Building Rating Systems
• Energy Star
• Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
(LEED)
• Green Globes
Energy Star - USGBC - GBI
Energy Star for Buildings and Plants
• A joint program of the U.S. EPA and
Department of Energy
Earning the Energy Star Rating
• Based on actual documented
energy use
Energy Star - USGBC - GBI
Designed to Earn the Energy Star
• A process for a project team to work toward
energy efficiency goals
• Requires a building energy use simulation
model
• A LEED or Green Globes building may qualify
for Designed to Earn Energy Star
Energy Star - USGBC - GBI
•US Green Building Council (USGBC)
LEED Rating Systems
LEED Rating Systems cont.
Categories of LEED
• Sustainable site planning
• Safeguarding water and water efficiency
• Energy efficiency and renewable energy
• Conservation of materials and resources
Categories of LEED cont.
• Indoor environmental quality
• Innovation in Design
• Regional Priority
LEED Scoring
40-49 points = Certified
50-59 points = Silver
60-79 points = Gold
80 points and above = Platinum
How LEED Works
GBI - Green Globes
Green Building Initiative (GBI)
Green Globes
Green Globes Rating Systems
• Green Globes for New Construction (NC)
• Green Globes for Continual Improvement
of Existing Buildings (CIEB)
Green Globes – Emergence in the U.S.
• 100 Certified Green Globes
Buildings in the U.S.
Project
Management
5%
Site
11%
Categories of Green Globes
Energy
36%
Indoor
Environment
20%
Emissions &
Other Impacts
8%
Resources
10%
Water
10%
Green Globes Scoring
85-100%
70-84%
55-69%
35-54%
Green Globes Assessment and Rating System Scoring
Based on 1,000 Point System
How Green Globes Works
How Green Globes Works
Green Globes Strengths
Significant Overlap
80%-85% overlap between LEED & Green Globes
credits/available points – Univ. of Minn., 2006
Category Types Considered in
Rating Building Performance
Energy Star for
Buildings and
Plants
LEED-NC
Green Globes




Water Conservation


Material and Resource
Efficiency


Indoor Environmental Quality


Site Selection and
Development
Energy Efficiency
Additional Categories

Innovation in
Design; Regional
Priority
Project
Management;
Emissions
Point Systems
Energy Star
LEED-NC
Green Globes
Levels of Certification
1
4
4
Total Points Available
100-point scale
110
1,000
75 or higher
40 points, plus
mandatory
prerequisites
35% of points applicable
to the project
N/A
No
Yes*
Minimum Points Required
for Certification
Point Minimums per
Category?
* Anticipated beginning late 2009
Registration and Certification Fees
for New 100,000 SF Building
Energy Star for
Buildings and
Plants
LEED
Green Globes
Registration
(Members)
$0
$900
Five-Year Software Subscription:
$500
Registration (NonMembers)
N/A
$1,200
Same as above
Assessment and
Certification
(Members)
$0
$4,500
$7,000 - $15,000
Same as above
$5,500
Same as above
Assessment and
Certification (NonMembers)
Recommended Reading
Recommended Reading
Similarities and Differences
• Both evolved from the same source— the Building Research
Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM)
• Ideas as to what constitutes green building are widely accepted, so both
systems emphasize energy, water and resource efficiency, site ecology,
indoor air quality and pollution
• Both are points-based systems used to achieve a certified rating of
performance, and include four roughly equal rating levels.
• LEED involves a more complex and time consuming process, but is wellentrenched and enjoys strong brand recognition.
• Green Globes is web-based and easy to use—even for those with limited
environmental design experience—and is gaining ground thanks in part to
growing mainstream interest.
LEED and Green Globes:
Which is For You? The
Challenger or the
Leader?
Which is For You?
• Conduct a LEED/Green Globes
Feasibility Study
• Assess pros and cons of each system
for your project; then select one (or
both – why not?)
Which is For You?
• Most Important – go forward with
something green for your next
project
– ROI
– Occupant Comfort
– Environmental Sensitivity
Questions?
Thank You!
Wayne Robertson, PE, LEED AP
Energy Ace, Inc.
404.789.7800
wayner@energyace.com
For More Information:
energyace.com