Green Globes™

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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 U.S. by the Green Building Initiative. For more information go to: www.thegbi.org/green-globes/
Standard Type¹	Rating and certification system
Mandatory/ Voluntary²	Voluntary
Building Type(s)	Commercial: all Mixed use: all Residential: multi-family
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), but instead rates buildings on the green building practices that the builder has chosen 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 onsite walk-throughs.
Relationship to Other Standards

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 may be adopted as a voluntary or mandatory program. We indicate here the intent of the authors.

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Green Globes™

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