May 20, 2008
AIA Evaluates Green Building Rating Systems
The American Institute of Architects has released a study of three of the most widely used green building rating systems (Green Globes, SBTool 07, and LEED NC 2.2) (via Environmental NewsBits).
The report finds Green Globes lacking when it comes to certifying a project, needing more stringent and specific requirements in the areas of energy reduction and operational performance. The U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED NC 2.2 system is good example of a rating system that provides a measurement of environmental achievement, according to the report. And the International Initiative for a Sustainable Built Environment’s SBTool 07 would be stronger if there were more “required” items vs. those that are simply “encouraged” and required project documentation.
The study assesses the effectiveness of the rating systems in supporting the goals of the AIA sustainability position statement with an emphasis on energy conservation improvements. The AIA has a goal of carbon neutrality in buildings by 2030.
Click here (PDF) for AIA position statement on green rating systems.
The aim of the analysis is to show the public and the building industry the role the three most popular rating systems play in the AIA’s ultimate goal of carbon neutrality in buildings by 2030.
Last month AIA named its top ten sustainable building designs.
Advertisers
Make sustainability part of your strategy.
Get equipped at the SAP Sustainability Resource Center. >>
Unclear about the EPA's new GHG Rule?
Learn how it could affect your business. >>
EPA mandatory emissions reporting starts Jan 1st
CSA Standards can help your organization get ready for compliance. Find out how. >>
Product Environmental Compliance Best Practices
How to achieve compliance at a significantly lower cost. Download the full report. >>
Join the Discussion
Recent Daily News [ see all ]
- 11/20/2009
- 11/19/2009
- 11/18/2009
- Ontario May Follow California’s Lead on TV Energy Efficiency
- EPA Is One Step Closer to New Ship Emissions Standards
- European Paper Industry Cuts CO2 Emissions by 42% since 1990
- CDP Launches Water Disclosure Project
- Whirlpool Cuts Water Use by Nearly 22% from 2004 to 2008
- National Grid Again Rejects High Costs of Offshore Wind
- California City’s Green Building Ordinance Applies to Commercial Buildings
- Agilent To Save $3.5M Over 10 Years With Solar
- S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
- Texas, China Wind Partners May Build U.S. Factory to Appease Critical Lawmaker
- Volvo, Mack Engines First to Meet 2010 EPA Emissions Standards
- Around the Web – Nike, Google, Nissan, Bush’s Green Library, WWF
- Fossil Fuel Emissions Rose 29% since 2000
- SEC Charges Four in ‘Green’ Investment Ponzi Scheme
- No Sunny Skies for Two Solar Projects in Texas, California
- Canada Delays GHG Emissions Regs, Russia Ups Emissions Cuts
- News Corp. Taps Hara for Energy Efficiency, Environmental Management
- Rising Sea Levels Would Hit U.S. East Coast Hardest
- Building an Energy-Efficient Data Center Using Virtualization Technology
- Trade Group on EPA Chemical Regs: ‘If Everything is a Priority, Then Nothing is a Priority’
- A/V Equipment Gets New Energy Star Requirements
- By Scaling Back Catalogs, JC Penney to Save 30% on Paper
- Around the Web – Starbucks, EcoFactor, UPS, Brownfields, Eco-Labels
- Subaru Touts Energy & Environmental Initiatives
- U.S., China Partner on Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency
- Green Buildings Do Double Duty: Reduce Energy Use, Lower Financial Risk
- UK to Ease Rules for On-Site Renewable Energy Installations
- Intel Eyes Wind, Electric Cars
- Nike Tops Annual Climate Action Scores
- Iranian Tanker Firm to Cut Fuel Use 28%
- Corporate Jetsetters Can be Carbon Offsetters
- USPS Energy Use Down 9% From 2005 to 2008
- From Solar Applications to Christmas, LEDs Light the Night
- EPA May Regulate Sulfur Dioxide Emissions on Hourly Basis
- MITEI: Sustainable Energy & Terawatt-Scale Photovoltaics
- Around the Web – Health Care & Energy, Shell, NBC
Charts [ see all ]
Popular Topics
Energy Efficiency
Data Center
Emissions
Facilities
Electricity
Sustainability
Water
Supply Chain
Efficiency
Green Marketing
Strategy & Leadership
Research
Fleets & Transportation
Carbon Finance
Conventional Energy
Clean Energy
Waste & Recycling
Paper & Packaging
Policy & Law
Utilities
Construction
Comments and Discussions
Trade Association on Trade Group on EPA Chemical Regs: ‘If Everything is a Priority, Then Nothing is a Priority’
"Seriously… that..."
Gary Markowitz on Supermarkets Tackle Emissions Reductions, Fuel Efficiency
"Supermarkets waste over 10 percent of their energy through improper..."
peter in ireland on Ontario May Follow California’s Lead on TV Energy Efficiency
"Governor Schwarzenegger is shooting himself in the foot! 1...."
Environmental Leader on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"The survey respondents (the PDF report mentions 4,000 respondents in 38..."
Jake on UPS Trying New Hydraulic Hybrid Trucks
"A point of clarification: the Reuters press release referenced herein reports that 20 UPS will purchase..."
Custom Organic Shirts on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"90% of North Americans believe it is urgent to get a global climate..."
peter dublin on California City’s Green Building Ordinance Applies to Commercial Buildings
"Why energy efficiebnt regulation on buildings –..."





Reader Comments
Thanks to AIA for unbiased assessment of so called “Building Green” associations that are amazingly lacking in knowledge of actual construction procedures and materials used. In my 31st year in the construction business, mostly custom home construction, I have strived to build consumers homes with the most efficient and newest designed components available. With the advent of trussed floors and roofs, truss joists, “Superior” tm. insulated foundation walls, osb, and new subfloor and roofing materials, it is much easier to accomplish this goal. For the past 20 years our crews have “Built Green” in many ways that NAHB, Leeds, Energy Star, and others have yet to become aware of, such as insulated exterior corners, intersecting wall tees, and headers. Cantilevered roof trusses and cantilevered ceiling joist and rafter construction has been our standard construction for 20 years. In the recent Building Green movement The Advanced Wall and Ceiling guide seems to be the preferred method adopted by DOE, Energy Star and all others. In a recent seminar on this method over 60 of most prominent builders in Chattanooga area, as well as myself, attended. Very few builders were familiar with these construction techniques, and the presentation described the ups and downs of this Advanced Framing that these Associations want contractors to adopt. The end product of these designs were acceptably much more energy efficient than the methods used by 99% of these builders, however, the added expense of these methods in both time, labor and overall slowdown of framing, inspection failures, and most of all, added labor and expense of using 5/8″ drywall and drywall clips on all inside corners, makes the “Advanced Framing” method one that very few experienced builders would ever consider. In my opinion this method is less structurally sound, primitive in design, cost and labor prohibitive. and not likely to lead us to a totally insulated structure that will conserve energy and resources. in numerous communications and conversations with DOE officials, NAHB, LEEDS, ORNL, TVA, Energy Star, Building Code Inspectors, all men and women in charge of researching, testing, evaluations, and ultimately in charge of assisting the development of new designs and components I have yet to find anyone who is actually familiar with construction procedures and components. No one knows what an insulated corner, tee, header, cantilevered roof design, and other components we have designed over the years. These designs will greatly increase the efficiency of our homes, leading to energy savings, savings in construction time, cost, labor, and the use large dimensional lumber. I have had little response from any one in these associations and agencies. I would like to find someone who is truly interested in conserving energy that will assist me in bringing these designs to market. I especially need assistance in testing and accreditation as just how much more energy efficient these designs will be. They are tried and proven designs we have used with great success and appreciation of homeowners. I would be glad to send drawings, pictures, and information. Looking forward to your response. Lynn Edwards
Lynn Edwards | June 1st, 2008