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Green building certification systems broaden the focus beyond products, materials, and ecolabels to consider a building as a whole. Certification systems rate or reward relative levels of compliance or performance with specific environmental goals and requirements. Certification systems require an integrated design approach to create projects that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building’s life-cycle. Some certification systems are single-attribute, focusing solely on one aspect of a building such as water or energy, while others are multi-attribute addressing emissions, toxicity, and overall environmental performance in addition to water and energy. While the philosophy, approach, and certification method vary across systems, they all award or certify projects designed to reduce the overall impact of the built environment on human health and the environment.
There are a wide range of economic and environmental benefits to sustainable design, often achieved through the use of standards, rating, and certification systems.
In a 2008 study by the GSA [PDF - 827 KB], 12 sustainable buildings analyzed from a whole building perspective cost less to operate, featured excellent energy performance, and higher occupant satisfaction with the overall building than occupants in typical commercial buildings. The 12 GSA buildings were compared to industry standard performance metrics for energy, water, maintenance and operations, waste, recycling, transportation, and occupant satisfaction.
GSA conducted an updated study in 2018 that examined 100 of its legacy buildings and 100 of its high-performance green buildings. Compared to legacy stock buildings, GSA’s high-performance buildings have:
Energy and water savings are even greater when compared to industry benchmarks — 43% for energy and 35% for water. Investing to improve building performance presents savings opportunities. If the 100 legacy stock buildings met the average performance rates of high-performance buildings, they could save over $44 million per year.
Agencies are not required to use green building certification systems. However, should they choose to use one, the certification system must meet certain criteria established by a federal regulation managed by the Department of Energy. This rule applies to new Federal buildings or a Federal building undergoing a major renovation that requires Congressional approval or for which the estimated design and construction costs are at least $2,500,000 (in 2007 dollars, adjusted for inflation), and design for construction began after Oct. 14, 2015.
Should a federal agency desire to use a certification system, the rule requires agencies to use certification systems that:
Section 436(h) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 requires GSA to evaluate green building certification systems and provide the findings to the Secretary of Energy who, in consultation with the Department of Defense and GSA, formally identifies the system(s) to be used across the federal government (via a rule — referenced above). Four reviews have been completed: 2006, 2012, 2019, and 2024.
GSA has developed crosswalks showing how certification systems help agencies meet the Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings. Green building certification systems are routinely updated and revised to include new requirements and methodologies. GSA continuously reviews the certification system market and makes revisions to the crosswalks, where warranted.
In addition to multi-attribute green building certification systems, there are several that are single attribute systems focusing on one particular issue such as energy or health. Energy Star is one of the most well-known single-attribute building certification system focused on energy consumption in buildings.
Use this crosswalk [XLSX - 104 KB] to identify specific credits or points within selected commercial building certification systems and standards that federal agencies should focus on in order to meet the Guiding Principles.
Meet Federal requirements and establish operational health and wellness goals by exploring how the Federal Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings relate to health and wellness standards, guidelines, and building rating systems using this crosswalk [XLSX - 72 KB].
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