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Introduction A Brief History Characteristics of Green Globes Green Globes New Construction Compared to LEED Green Globes Technical Basis, Review and Endorsements |
Introduction
Green Globes is an online green building rating and certification tool that is used primarily in Canada and the USA. In Canada, the following Green Globes modules are available:- Green Globes for New Construction (also applies to major renovations)
- Green Globes for Sustainable Interiors (applies to commercial/tenant interior projects or fit-ups)
A Brief History
The genesis of Green Globes, similar to LEED and many other systems around the world was BREEAM, developed in the UK in the 1980's. Based on the 1996 CSA publication of BREEAM Canada, Green Globes for Existing Buildings was developed in 2000 by ECD Energy and Environmental Canada. Green Globes for New Buildings Canada followed shortly thereafter, with the support of the Canadian Department of National Defense and Public Works and Government Services. In 2004, the system was adapted for the USA. Since then, the assessments have undergone numerous periodic updates. GBI acquired the Global Rights to Green Globes in 2017. The Green Globes brand and associated rating systems are administered in the United States by GBI and in Canada by its wholly-owned, non-profit subsidiary, GB Initiative Canada.Characteristics of Green Globes
- Green Globes is structured as a self-assessment to be done in-house using a project manager and design team. The system is questionnaire-based with pop-up guidance to help the user select the appropriate responses. An online manual is also available. Users can see how points are being awarded and how they are scoring.
- " Submittal requirements consist of documents that are normally produced as part of any well executed green construction project that uses the integrated design process. They consist of construction drawings, specifications, energy modelling, life cycle analysis, records of meetings, and any "green" plans that the team has developed - for example, storm-water management, landscaping, and commissioning.
Green Globes New Construction compared to LEED
Green Globes has been used on projects that range greatly in size, complexity and degree of innovation. However, in its early days, when it was not well known, it tended to be used for projects with limited budgets, based on the premise that the system could be done without the need for consultants to manage the certification process, and that it was therefore a more affordable certification system than LEED.There are many studies that show that Green Globes is similar in terms of criteria with some exceptions (e.g. materials), and is competitive in terms of usability and cost. One of most often quoted studies was conducted by a team of researchers at the University of Minnesota led by Associate Professor Timothy M. Smith, who published an analysis of the two rating systems in a report titled "Green Building Systems: A Comparison of the LEED and Green Globes Systems in the U.S." (http://www.thegbi.org/gbi/Green_Building_Rating_UofM.pdf). The study provides a detailed comparison of how the systems operate as well as their respective strengths and weaknesses. There are many other studies by media and academic researchers, industry and users, and governments.
The following table highlights some of the similarities and differences of the two methodologies.
| Green Globes | LEED | |
|---|---|---|
| Uses ANSI approved consensus development process | Yes | No |
| Nationally accepted program | Yes | Yes |
| Program delivery | Online interactive questionnaires | Online submission of templates |
| Total program points | 1,000 | 110 |
| Partial credits and recognizes that some criteria may be "not applicable" | Yes | Limited |
| Pre-requisites | No | Yes |
| Uses life cycle assessment and multiple attribute evaluations | Yes | No |
| Forest certifications accepted | FSC, SFI, ATFS, CSA | FSC |