The sustainability certification of buildings is the result of a virtuous process that combines design, construction and management of real estate assets.
But what exactly is meant by sustainable construction?
LEED®
LEED ® – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is a voluntary rating system that measures the level of sustainability of buildings. It is one of the most widespread rating systems at an international and European level. Developed since 1993 by the US Green Building Council (USGBC ®), it is a structured framework for implementing measurable environmental strategies during the design, construction and operation of sustainable buildings.
WELLTM
WELLTM is the first international protocol that certifies the well-being of the occupants of the built environment. WELL-Certified spaces are designed to improve physical fitness, nutrition, health, mood, sleep patterns, productivity, and the relations for those living, working, shopping, and playing within these buildings and spaces. WELL Certification comprehend more than 100 parameters that are applied to each construction project with a customized approach. In addition to WELL Certification, there is the WELL Ratings family, which includes WELL Performance Rating, WELL Health-Safety Rating, and WELL Equity Rating.
Discover WELL Certification | Discover WELL Health-Safety Rating | Discover WELL Perofrmance Rating | Discover WELL Equity Rating
BREEAM®
BREEAM® is an environmental sustainability assessment methodology, developed in 1988 by the Building Research Establishment (BRE).
BREEAM is one of the most relevant certifications on the international level, created to monitor, assess, and certify the sustainability of buildings. The BREEAM certification requires the adoption of sustainable practices during the design and construction phases of buildings, and subsequently in the management and maintenance processes. The BREEAM protocol, through a scoring system, evaluates the different factors that have an influence on the environmental, social, and economic impact throughout the life cycle of the buildings under consideration.
Discover BREEAM | Discover BREEAM In Use
SITES™ (Sustainable Sites Initiative)
The SITES™ rating system, developed between 2006 and 2014 by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) and acquired by GBCI in 2015, provides a comprehensive framework for evaluating and certifying sustainable land development projects, from residential communities to commercial developments.
SITES goes beyond traditional sustainability standards by focusing on the entire site, including its natural features, water management, energy use, and ecological impact. By taking a holistic approach, SITES promotes sustainable land development that has positive impacts on both the environment and human health.
Living Building ChallengeTM
The Living Building ChallengeTM protocol is the most advanced standard for sustainability worldwide. It is a philosophy, an advocacy tool, and a sustainability certification program that, through the fulfilment of imperatives within macro areas called Petals, aims to make every type of project – Buildings for new constructions, Renovation for refurbishments, Landscape & Infrastructure for parks and infrastructures, Neighborhood for neighborhood, campuses, districts, or towns – completely regenerative with a positive impact within its territory.
Discover Living Building Challenge | Discover Zero Energy
Fitwel®
Among certifications, Fitwel® is an effective and cost-efficient standard for buildings that aims at improving occupants’ health and productivity through targeted interventions of design and policies in the workplace. Fitwel envisions a healthier future where every building is suitable in supporting the well-being of occupants and of surrounding communities. It is based on the idea that every office can be transformed through specific and gradual interventions for a healthier workplace, regardless of its size, year of construction, and location. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the General Services Administration (GSA) guide the development of Fitwel, gathering input and analyzing more than 3000 scientific studies. The Center for Active Design (CfAD) manages Fitwel and oversees the diffusion of the protocol and of its future developments.
Discover Fitwel
Global Network for Zero
Global Network for Zero is the world’s first independent net zero certification body. GNFZ’s Net Zero Certification is a voluntary rating system designed to empower people and organisations to accelerate the realization of a zero emissions world. Through a simple to use and data-driven platform, it supports in establishing a net zero roadmap for implementing strategies with complete flexibility in the standards chosen to achieve GNFZ’s Net Zero Certification and to eliminate an existing building or portfolio’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (Scope 1, 2 and 3).
WiredScore
WiredScore is an internationally recognized certification system that evaluates and highlights the connectivity of buildings, that are providing the resilient and most advanced digital infrastructure by integrating the buildings with current, emerging and future digital technologies. It is the only certification in the world for digital infrastructure and connectivity in buildings, which qualifies buildings from both a technological and economic point of view. Born in 2013 in the USA and arrived in Europe in 2015, it is currently used in the UK, France, Germany, Ireland, Holland and soon to be launched in Italy this year.
SmartScore
Smart Score certifies the functionality that an intelligent building offers to its users, through digital technologies, to go beyond their expectations. The expected results range from creating inspiring workspaces to optimising performance, from being effective in terms of running costs to incorporating elements that make it flexible and ready for future changes.
GRESB
GRESB is an independent organization that provides annual ESG performance assessments and benchmarks of investors and managers of real estate and infrastructure investment funds.
GRESB assessments therefore collect information relating to ESG performance and best sustainability practices for funds and companies around the world: the verified and standardized information provided by GRESB allows you to evaluate your company’s ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) strategy, to have reference benchmarks and identify any areas of intervention.
Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)
The European Union is taking a big step towards a greener future with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). This regulation requires large companies and many smaller ones operating in the EU to become more transparent about their impact on the environment and society. Gone are the days of vague sustainability claims. The CSRD mandates companies to report on factors like climate change, pollution, resource use, labor practices, and human rights. This standardized reporting, in a digital format, allows for easy comparison between companies, empowering investors to make informed decisions that consider sustainability alongside profit.
JustSM
Just marks the beginning of a new era of corporate transparency. ILFI invites organizations everywhere to evaluate themselves through this social justice and equity lens and become a Just organization. With support from participating organizations, Just will help create a better, more socially just and equitable world. Help your organization optimize policies that improve social equity and enhance employee engagement.
