Rating systems set forth standards and procedures for measuring claims of energy efficiency and environmental performance.  Receiving a recognized rating system certification provides the building owner with the assurance that their building has been constructed as intended to meet its design objectives.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System is a voluntary, third-party, consensus-based, market driven rating system based on existing proven technology.  It evaluates environmental performance of new and existing commercial, institutional and high-rise residential buildings, providing a definitive standard for what constitutes a ‘green building’.  LEED is a feature-oriented system in which different levels of certification are awarded based on the total credits earned.

LEED is based on accepted energy and environmental principles and strikes a balance between known effective practices and emerging concepts. The development of the LEED Green Building Rating System was initiated by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), representing all segments of the building industry.  It has since been adapted for Canada by the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC).

There are various categories within the LEED System to encompass the various types and scales of development.  The specific categories which have been adapted for use in Canada include New Construction, Commercial Interiors, Core and Shell, Existing Buildings, and Homes.  LEED for Neighbourhood Development has been developed by the USGBC and its launch is anticipated in late 2009.  The adaptation of the system for Canada is expected to be complete in 2010. 

For more information on the LEED Green Building Rating Systems visit the CaGBC website or the USGBC website.

Green Globes

Green Globes is an interactive, web-based, commercial green building assessment protocol that works to guide the integration of green principles into a building’s design.  It identifies a building’s environmental strengths and weaknesses, recommends sustainable design improvements, and automatically generates links to engineering, design and product sources.  In Canada, Green Globes for Existing Buildings is owned and operated by the Building Owners and Managers Association and is known as BOMA BESt. 

Green Globes is initially a self-assessment tool with a full suite of interactive online capabilities. This allows the user to determine, based on the best green design practices, how a building performs with respect to sustainability, energy efficiency, due diligence and comfort. A report of the building’s green attributes, its sustainable design features, and list of actions necessary to build responsibly is provided to help guide the construction process. The report can also be used to document the sustainability of a project for marketing, public relations and community information. For those wishing to certify their properties, Green Globes offers independent third party verification of the assessment. Once completed, properties achieving a score above 35% receive a certification rating of one to four globes.

Energy Star

Energy Star is a brand that is recognized internationally as a standard for energy efficiency in a variety of categories, including appliances, HVAC systems, office equipment, electronics, and even homes.  The ENERGY STAR for New Homes initiative, administered in Canada by Natural Resources Canada, sets forth guidelines for new homes to have energy efficiency 30% higher than required in provincial building codes.  This initiative is currently available in Ontario and Saskatchewan, and is managed for Natural Resources Canada by regional service organizations.