Green Building Programs

Green Globes^® NC Overview

Green Globes is a well-established green building guidance and assessment program that offers a practical and affordable way to advance the environmental performance and sustainability of a wide variety of building types. Suitable for new construction and major renovation building projects, the Green Globes NC program includes:

• Comprehensive environmental assessment protocol
• Online software tools that speed and simplify assessment
• Best practices guidance for green construction and operations
• Qualified assessors with green building expertise
• Rating/certification system

Green Globes for New Construction (NC)

The Green Globes NC tool is a user-friendly web application that aids architects, engineers, construction professionals, owners, and building operators in evaluating, quantifying, and improving the environmental friendliness and sustainability of new building projects as well as major renovations. Using this tool enables project teams to focus on sustainability, gives them options when considering environmental improvements during the design and delivery process, and allows teams to evaluate and rate the benefits of different design scenarios.

Green Globes NC also educates the user in addition to the environmental assessment. Utilizing entries entered into your NC survey, Green Globes provides automatically generated reports that can help you evaluate opportunities to benefit from energy savings, reduced environmental impacts, and lower costs for maintenance. Green Globes NC is the only environmental rating system that provides early feedback on your process before critical and final decisions are made. This is a proven method for taking advantage of time and cost savings opportunities through integrated design and delivery, while benefiting from a cost-effective third-party assessment process. Green Globes NC provides the quickest and most affordable way to assess the environmental sustainability of your new construction or major renovation building projects.

Environmental Assessment Areas

Green Globes for New Construction utilizes weighted criteria in its recognized assessment protocol, comprehensively assessing building environmental impacts on a 1,000 point scale in seven categories. Each of these categories has an assigned number of points that quantify overall building performance including a comprehensive approach to Energy Performance, and a practical and objective method for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) analysis.

Environmental Assessment Area	Points	Description
Energy	380	Performance, efficiency, demand reduction, energy efficient features, use of renewable energy, transportation
Water	85	Performance, conservation, treatment
Resources	100	Low impact materials (LCA), re-use, demolition, durability, recycling
Emissions	70	Air emissions (boilers), ozone depletion, water & sewer protection, pollution controls
Indoor Environment	200	Ventilation, lighting, thermal & acoustical comfort, ventilation system
Project Management	50	Design process, environmental purchasing, commissioning
Site	115	Ecological impact, development area, watershed features, enhancement
Total Points	1,000

Eligibility Requirements

Unlike LEED, Green Globes has no prerequisites. There are only a few eligibility requirements, ensuring that a wide variety of buildings can undergo Green Globes assessment and certification.

Eligible buildings must:

• Score a minimum 35% of the total applicable points through preliminary self-evaluation.
• Have no more than 18 months of occupancy at the time assessment is ordered.
• Be at least 400 gross square feet in size.

Building Certification

A third-party assessment is required for a Green Globes rating and certification. After meeting the eligibility requirements listed above, new construction and major renovation buildings may seek a Green Globes certification and rating for their environmental sustainability and achievements.

Third-party assessors with expertise in green building design, engineering, construction and facility operations interface with project teams and building owners during the assessment process by reviewing documentation and conducting on-site building tours. Buildings that successfully complete a third-party assessment are assigned a rating of one to four Green Globes, which is reflected in a certificate or optional plaque issued by the GBI.

Assessment & Certification Process

Green Globes NC follows a business-friendly assessment and certification process as summarized below:

1. Purchase the Green Globes New Construction (GG NC) online evaluation
2. Complete the GG NC online building assessment as well as the Construction Documents survey
3. Request a quote for a third-party assessment and certification (if meeting the 35% minimum threshold)
4. Order & complete the third-party assessment for GG NC (two Stages):
1. Stage I: Review of construction documents, landscape designs, energy analysis, LCA documentation, etc.
2. Stage II: Onsite building evaluation, review of additional documentation, and interview of key team members
5. Receive a Green Globes rating and certification for your building

Resources

• Green Globes NC Pre-Assessment Checklist
• Green Globes NC Criteria and Point Allocation
• Listing of Certified Green Globes Professionals

NC Report Features:

• Tables and Graphical Output of Survey Results
• Achievement Summaries for Good Project Practices
• Improvement Suggestions

Next Steps

Sign Up for a 30-day Free Trial

Request a Quote

 

Contact Customer Service: 1.877.424.4241 | info@thegbi.org