LEED and Green Globes:

Which is For You?

Wayne Robertson, PE, LEED APEnergy 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?

• 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 BuildingDaylighting Reflective Roof

Reduced Parking

with priority for LEVs

Green RoofViews

Open SpaceReflective Paving with Recycled Content

Local Brick

High-EfficiencyHVAC

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 = Certified50-59 points = Silver60-79 points = Gold80 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.

Categories of Green Globes

Energy36%

Water10%Resources

10%

Emissions & Other Impacts

8%

Indoor Environment

20%

Project Management

5%

Site11%

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

PlantsLEED-NC Green Globes

Site Selection and Development

Energy Efficiency

Water Conservation

Material and Resource Efficiency

Indoor Environmental Quality

Additional CategoriesInnovation 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

Minimum Points Required for Certification 75 or higher

40 points, plus mandatory

prerequisites

35% of points applicable to the project

Point Minimums per Category? N/A No Yes*

* Anticipated beginning late 2009

Registration and Certification Fees for New 100,000 SF Building

Energy Star for Buildings and

PlantsLEED Green Globes

Registration (Members) $0 $900 Five-Year Software Subscription:

$500

Registration (Non-Members) N/A $1,200 Same as above

Assessment and Certification (Members)

$0 $4,500 $7,000 - $15,000

Assessment and Certification (Non-Members)

Same as above $5,500 Same as above

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 well-entrenched 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.

404.789.7800wayner@energyace.com

For More Information:energyace.com