Green Building Products and Programs

Green Globes Rating / Certification

Recognize and Market Achievements in Environmental Sustainability

Green Globes offers opportunities for recognition and certification in the design, construction, and/or operation of commercial buildings. Third-party assessment is required for a Green Globes rating and certification, which then provides a recognized means to address the increasingly important environmental concerns of owners, investors, customers, and residents/occupants.

Building projects that have completed the Green Globes assessments and scored a minimum threshold of 35% of the 1,000 available points are then eligible to schedule a thorough third-party review of documentation and an on-site walk through that will then lead to a formal Green Globes rating/certification. Buildings that successfully complete a third-party assessment are assigned a Green Globes rating of one to four Green Globes. Plaques and public relations materials help to enhance public recognition of this important achievement.

Green Globes rated/certified buildings are intended to:

• Use less energy
• Conserve water resources
• Emit fewer pollutants (such as greenhouse gases, airborne pollutants, liquid effluents, and/or solid waste)
• Provide a healthier indoor environment for occupants

By investing in Green Globes rating/certification, organizations can publicly demonstrate their commitment to environmental sensitivity, to reducing adverse environmental impacts, and for incorporating the best "green" practices for building design, construction, and/or ongoing operations. Operational savings through lower energy bills and maintenance costs as well as reduced occupant complaints add to the desired benefits creating a compelling reason to benchmark and rate/certify your building today.

Green Globes  Ratings

Those buildings that achieve 35% or more of the 1000 points possible in the rating system are eligible candidates for a certification of one, two, three, or four Green Globes. The Green Globes system provides higher levels of achievement based on the number of points a building acquires. A summary of rating levels is:

Green Globes Ratings
85-100%		Reserved for select buildings that serve as national or world leaders in reducing environmental impacts and efficiency of buildings.
70-84%		Demonstrates leadership in energy and environmentally efficient buildings and a commitment to continual improvement.
55-69%		Demonstrates excellent progress in reducing environmental impacts by applying best practices in energy and environmental efficiency.
35-54%		Demonstrates movement beyond awareness and a commitment to good energy and environmental efficiency practices.

Rating Credibility Assured by a Third-party Assessment

To receive a final certified rating of one, two, three or four Green Globes, the data submitted online must be reviewed by a Green Building Initiative®-authorized and Green Globes- trained third party assessor. Green Building Initiative uses highly qualified individuals with significant experience in design, engineering, energy analysis/management, commissioning, construction and/or facility management.  Using the building’s construction documents, analysis documents, management policies, facility records, and other support materials, the third-party assessor reviews the completed Green Globes online questionnaire and confirms that the percentage of points indicated—which the system has projected on the basis of the answers to the questionnaire—is supported by documented evidence.  Green Building Initiative assessors also make a site visit to walk through the building, review additional documentation, and interview relevant staff.  If the assessor finds that incorrect claims were made, or a positive practice was not recorded, he or she modifies the input, justifying why the change was made. A quality assurance protocol helps to ensure that assessors conduct their assessments properly and consistently.

Users can engage a Green Globes assessor immediately following completion of the questionnaire. The final certified rating allows the building team to promote the building as having earned one, two, three, or four Green Globes.  Buildings cannot claim to have achieved a Green Globes rating or certification unless they have successfully completed the two-stage (paperwork and on-site walk through) process.

Green Globes-New Construction Third-party Assessment

There are two comprehensive stages of review for Green Globes-New Construction buildings. 

Stage I is a review of construction documents, working drawings, landscape designs, energy analysis, LCA documentation, commissioning reports, etc.  Users find this review extremely helpful when it occurs prior to actual construction.  The third-party assessor will indicate whether the building appears to be on target to achieving a certified rating and what additional information will be needed prior to the third-party assessment.  After construction, the Stage II assessment can be completed.  Stage II includes an onsite walk through, review of additional documentation, and interview of key team members.  For more information regarding the Stage II assessment, please consult the pre-assessment checklist.

Green Globes-Continual Improvement of Existing Buildings Third-party Assessment

Green Globes-Continual Improvement of Existing Buildings also includes on-site visit with walk through and interview of facility manager and chief engineer. Typically, the review for Continual Improvement of Existing Buildings takes place during the onsite visit.  Click to obtain a pre-assessment checklist for Green Globes-Continual Improvement of Existing Buildings.

How to Pursue Green Globes Rating / Certification for Your Building

The process for obtaining formal Green Globes rating/certification is as follows:

Step 1:  Purchase a subscription to either Green Globes New Construction or Continual Improvement of Existing Buildings.

Step 2:  Login to Green Globes at the Green Building Initiative website with your username and password.

Step 3:  Select the tool you have purchased (New Construction or Continual Improvement of Existing Buildings) to go to Green Globes.

Step 4:  Add a building and enter basic building information.

Step 5:  Use step-through navigation and building dashboard to complete the survey.

Step 6:  Print your report to see your building projected rating and get feedback using automatic reports.

Step 7:  Request a quote for Green Globes third party assessment and certification services.  Within five business days a Green Building Initiative representative will send you a quote with a quote number or contact you to discuss your request.  Upon receipt of the quote Login to Green Globes using your user ID (email address) and unique password.

Step 8:  Order a third-party assessment and Green Globes rating/certification (if automated report indicates a predicted rating of at least 35% of 1000 points).

Step 9:   Schedule and complete your 3rd party building assessment. Third-party assessment for Green Globes-NC occurs in two comprehensive stages. The third party assessment process is different for existing buildings and new construction. Green Globes-CIEB assessment includes an extensive documentation review and an on-site visit with a walk through and interview of facility manager and chief engineer.  The New Construction assessment includes two stages of assessment. 

Stage I is a review of construction documents, working drawings, landscape designs, energy analysis, LCA documentation, commissioning reports, etc.   

Stage II includes an onsite walk through, review of additional documentation, and interview of key team members. Green Globes-CIEB includes an extensive documentation review and an on-site visit with walk through and interview of facility manager and chief engineer. Payment must be received before an assessment can be scheduled.

Step 10:   Order recognition items for your building.

Step 11: Receive your Green Globes Rating & Certification.

The third party assessment process is different for existing buildings and new construction. Green Globes-Continual Improvement of Existing Buildings assessment includes an extensive documentation review and an on-site visit with a walk through and interview of facility manager and chief engineer.  The New Construction assessment includes two stages of assessment.  Stage I is a review of construction documents, working drawings, landscape designs, energy analysis, LCA documentation, commissioning reports, etc.   Stage II includes an onsite walk through, review of additional documentation, and interview of key team members.  Green Globes-Continual Improvement of Existing Buildings includes an extensive documentation review and an on-site visit with walk through and interview of facility manager and chief engineer.

Advantages of the Green Globes Rating/Certification System

• Cost effective combination of value-added online tools and third-party assessment
• Decreased need for expensive consultants
• Required documentation is part of natural design, construction, delivery, and operations processes and procedures
• Automated reports provide opportunity to improve rating and downstream building performance

Green Globes Recognition

Once your third-party assessment is complete and you have received your Green Globes rating/certification, the Green Building Initiative will publicly recognize your achievement on our website and you will have various publicity opportunities to showcase your achievement.  A certificate is included with the certification fees and will be mailed to you within 4 weeks of the certification.  Your building’s name, city and state and formal Green Globes rating will be added to the public list of certified buildings and will be posted on the Green Building Initiative website.  The current list of Green Globes NC certified buildings and Green Globes CEIB certified buildings can be downloaded.

You can request a complimentary media kit that outlines the tactical steps for creating a building dedication or press materials to advertise your achievement. Further public recognition options include:

• Ordering a Green Globes plaque for your building
• Ordering a case study showcasing your building’s sustainable practices

Recognition items can be ordered by registered account holders for buildings that are going through the assessment and certification process.  After logging into Green Globes, a link to order recognition items appears in the user account home.