Green Globes launches alternative to LEED based on ANSI standard

Green Globes, produced by ECD of Toronto, has launched a new version of its building certification program, one largely based on the ANSI standard, ANSI/GBI 01-2010.

The program is being promoted as a flexible, transparent, economic and user-friendly alternative to the LEED green building rating system. They say it is web based, streamlined and can be completed largely in-house by the design team. The process based on a review of actual working drawings, specifications, plans, etc.

Its energy requirements are for 30-50% savings over the National Model Energy Code for Buildings, while bonus points can be obtained for higher performance such as zero net energy or a 51%+ reduction in CO2e emissions.

The materials and resources section offers a choice of paths for selecting materials, including full life cycle assessments, multi-attributes, and third-party certified environmental product declarations (EPDs).

Certification under the program occurs in two stages: at the design stage, and then at post construction.

The program can also be used to guide design teams to carry out an integrated design process throughout the project, i.e. “from goal setting to construction documents.”

The program is based on a Canadian adaptation of ANSI standard: ANSI/GBI 01-2010: Green Building Assessment Protocol for Commercial Buildings, as well as other recognized standards.

Jiri Skopek, who coordinated the Green Globes Canadian Technical Committee, says: “The new Green Globes reflects major advances in building science and an enhanced user interface experience. What has not changed is that it still provides a transparent, web-based survey, and a streamlined verification process, which make it the most user-friendly and affordable certification system on the market.”

The Green Globes for New Construction Canada program was first introduced in Canada in 2004 by ECD (stands for ECD Energy and Environmental Canada).

A predecessor to the Green Globes program was the BREEAM methodology, which was developed in the U.K. ECD is owned by Jones Lang LaSalle.

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