Smart Growth

Green Globes™

Description	A series of rating and certification systems that encourage improved environmental and health performance for all types of buildings except residential structures. Green Globes™ is administered in the United States by the Green Building Initiative. Learn more about Green Globes.Exit
Standard Type¹	Rating and certification system
Mandatory/ Voluntary²	Voluntary
Building Type(s)	Commercial: all Mixed use: all Residential: multifamily
Project Type	New construction Additions Alterations Existing buildings
Subject Areas	Sustainable sites Energy efficiency Water efficiency Materials and resource use Indoor environmental quality Emissions Project/environmental management
Community Adoption/Use	Communities could use this protocol as the basis for a voluntary program that encourages construction of greener commercial buildings.
Certification/Compliance Process	Certification to one of four levels (i.e., 1 to 4 globes) requires achieving minimum thresholds of 1,000 points. Has no minimum criteria (i.e., does not require any specific practices); instead rates buildings on the green building practices the builder chooses to include. Does not require any ongoing documentation, but documentation is required as proof of compliance during the third-party assessment. Requires third-party review of building documentation and on-site walk-throughs.

¹ In the building community, there is no consistent use or definition of the term "standard." EPA uses the term "standard" here in a broad sense to mean "something established by authority, custom, or general consent as a model or example: CRITERION" (Merriam-Webster). EPA uses it as an umbrella term to encompass model codes, rating systems, and other publications that provide criteria for the design, construction, and maintenance of buildings.

² Any standard can be adopted as a voluntary or mandatory program. We indicate here the intent of the authors.

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