Share:


Review on green building rating tools worldwide: recommendations for Australia

    I. M. Chethana S. Illankoon Affiliation
    ; Vivian W. Y. Tam Affiliation
    ; Khoa N. Le Affiliation
    ; Cuong N. N. Tran Affiliation
    ; Mingxue Ma Affiliation

Abstract

Buildings could be led to adverse impacts on environment, such as generation of construction and demolition waste, and emission of greenhouse gases (GHG). Therefore, promotion on development of green buildings is in need. With the increasing awareness in sustainable development, various rating tools are promoted to evaluate the performance of green buildings. Nowadays, these tools function as a guideline for green building development. There are various green building rating tools developed worldwide, and various countries follow different rules, incentives and regulations. However, despite of promotion of green building rating tools, environmental issues from buildings are still significant in Australia. This research compared green building rating tools in Australia and other countries or regions around the world. This research found that rating tools in Australia lack of (1) mandatory criteria and (2) regulations and incentives. This paper recommended that governmental incentives should be promoted.

Keyword : green building, assessment tools, rating tools, Australia

How to Cite
Illankoon, I. M. C. S., Tam, V. W. Y., Le, K. N., Tran, C. N. N., & Ma, M. (2019). Review on green building rating tools worldwide: recommendations for Australia. Journal of Civil Engineering and Management, 25(8), 831-847. https://doi.org/10.3846/jcem.2019.10928
Published in Issue
Oct 10, 2019
Abstract Views
3373
PDF Downloads
2565
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

References

Alam, J., & Ham, J. (2014). Towards a BIM-based energy rating system. In Proceedings of the 19th International Conference on Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia: Rethinking Comprehensive Design: Speculative Counterculture, Kyoto, Japan.

Aldawi, F., & Alam, F. (2016). Residential building wall systems: Energy efficiency and carbon footprint. In Thermofluid Modeling for Energy Efficiency Applications (Chapter 8, pp. 169-196). https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-802397-6.00008-7

Anderson, J. M. (2006). Integrating recycled water into urban water supply solutions. Desalination, 187(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2005.04.062

Asdrubali, F., Baldinelli, G., Bianchi, F., & Sambuco, S. (2015). A comparison between environmental sustainability rating systems LEED and ITACA for residential buildings. Building and Environment, 86, 98-108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2015.01.001

Awadh, O. (2017). Sustainability and green building rating systems: LEED, BREEAM, GSAS and Estidama critical analysis. Journal of Building Engineering, 11, 25-29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2017.03.010

Baird, G. (2009). Incorporating user performance criteria into building sustainability rating tools (BSRTs) for buildings in operation. Sustainability, 1(4), 1069-1086. https://doi.org/10.3390/su1041069

Bannister, P. (2005, 15-18 August). The ABGR validation protocol for computer simulations. In Proceedings of the 9th International IBPSA Conference, Montreal, Canada.

Baumann, H., Boons, F., & Bragd, A. (2002). Mapping the green product development field: engineering, policy and business perspectives. Journal of Cleaner Production, 10(5), 409-425. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0959-6526(02)00015-X

Berry, S., & Marker, T. (2015). Australia’s Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme: the scientific basis for the next generation of tools. International Journal of Sustainable Building Technology and Urban Development, 6(2), 90-102. https://doi.org/10.1080/2093761X.2015.1025451

Brilhante, O., & Skinner, J. (2015). Review of incentive mechanisms used by European municipalities to promote sustainable housing. Roterdame, Netherlands.

Building Research Establishment Environment Assessment Method (BREEAM). (2015). What is BREEAM? Retrieved from http://www.breeam.org/

Cansino, J. M., Pablo-Romero, M. d. P., Román, R., & Yñiguez, R. (2010). Tax incentives to promote green electricity: An overview of EU-27 countries. Energy Policy, 38(10), 6000-6008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2010.05.055

Comprehensive Assessment System for Built Environment Efficiency (CASBEE). (2015). An overview of CASBEE. Retrieved from http://www.ibec.or.jp/CASBEE/english/overviewE.htm

Chan, E. H. W., Qian, Q. K., & Lam, P. T. I. (2009). The market for green building in developed Asian cities –the perspectives of building designers. Energy Policy, 37(8), 3061-3070. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2009.03.057

Cole, R. (2005). Building environmental assessment methods: redefining intentions and roles. Building Research & Information, 33(5), 455-467. https://doi.org/10.1080/09613210500219063

Cole, R., & Larsson, N. K. (1999). GBC’98 and GBTool: background. Building Research & Information, 27(4-5), 221-229. https://doi.org/10.1080/096132199369345

Crawford, R. H., Bartak, E., Stephan, A., & Jensen, C. A. (2015). Does current policy on building energy efficiency reduce a building’s life cycle energy demand? In 49th International Conference of the Architectural Science Association “Living and Learning: Research for a Better Built Environment”, Melbourne, Australia.

Crawford, R. H., Bartak, E. L., Stephan, A., & Jensen, C. A. (2016). Evaluating the life cycle energy benefits of energy efficiency regulations for buildings. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 63, 435-451. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2016.05.061

Crawley, D., & Aho, I. (1999). Building environmental assessment methods: applications and development trends. Building Research & Information, 27(4-5), 300-308. https://doi.org/10.1080/096132199369417

Crookes, D., & de Wit, M. (2002). Environmental economic valuation and its application in environmental assessment: an evaluation of the status quo with reference to South Africa. Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, 20(2), 127-134. https://doi.org/10.3152/147154602781766753

Davis Langdon. (2007). The cost and benefits of acheiving green buildings. Retrieved from http://www.usgbc.org/Docs/Archive/General/Docs2583.pdf

Department of the Environment and Energy, Government of Australia. (2017a). Solar towns. Retrieved from http://www.environment.gov.au/climate-change/renewable-energy/solar-towns

Department of the Environment and Energy, Government of Australia. (2017b). Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS). Retrieved from http://www.nathers.gov.au/

Department of the Environment and Energy, Government of Australia. (2017c). Australia’s 7th National communication on climate change. Retrieved from http://unfccc.int/files/national_reports/national_communications_and_biennial_reports/application/pdf/024851_australia-nc7-br3-1-aus_natcom_7_br_3_final.pdf

Ding, G. K. C. (2008). Sustainable construction – The role of environmental assessment tools. Journal of Environmental Management, 86(3), 451-464. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2006.12.025

Doan, D. T., Ghaffarianhoseini, A., Naismith, N., Zhang, T., Ghaffarianhoseini, A., & Tookey, J. (2017). A critical comparison of green building rating systems. Building and Environment, 123, 243-260. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2017.07.007

DuPlessis, C. (2007). A strategic framework for sustainable construction in developing countries. Construction Management and Economics, 25(1), 67-76. https://doi.org/10.1080/01446190600601313

EcoSpecifier Global. (2017). Welcome to Ecospecifier Global. Retrieved from http://www.ecospecifier.com.au/

Eichholtz, P., Kok, N., & Quigley, J. M. (2010). The economics of green building. Review of Economics and Statistics, 95(1), 50-63. https://doi.org/10.1162/REST_a_00291

Energy Inspection. (2017). About our software. Retrieved from http://www.energyinspection.com.au/about/

Ernest & Young. (2017). Tax incentives in Asia Pacific. Retrieved from http://www.ey.com/sg/en/services/tax/ey-tax-incentives-in-asia-pacific-malaysia

Ernst & Young Global Limited, & Green Building Council Brazil. (2013). Sustainable buildings in Brazil. Retrieved from http://gbcbrasil.org.br/sistema/docsMembros/1311141211060000005990.pdf

Eroksuz, E., & Rahman, A. (2010). Rainwater tanks in multi-unit buildings: A case study for three Australian cities. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 54(12), 1449-1452. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2010.06.010

European Information Service Commission. (2012). Construction sector overview in the UK. Retrieved from http://www.prismenvironment.eu/reports_prism/UK_PRISM_Environment_Report_EN.pdf

Fenner, R. A., & Ryce, T. (2008). A comparative analysis of two building rating systems. Part 1: Evaluation. Engineering Sustainability, 161(1), 55-63. https://doi.org/10.1680/ensu.2008.161.1.55

Forsberg, A., & Von Malmborg, F. (2004). Tools for environmental assessment of the built environment. Building and Environment, 39(2), 223-228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2003.09.004

Gan, X., Zuo, J., Ye, K., Skitmore, M., & Xiong, B. (2015). Why sustainable construction? Why not? An owner’s perspective. Habitat International, 47, 61-68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2015.01.005

Geng, S., Wang, Y., Zuo, J., Zhou, Z., Du, H., & Mao, G. (2017). Building life cycle assessment research: A review by bibliometric analysis. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 76, 176-184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.03.068

Gibberd, J. T. (2008, 21-25 September). Sustainable building assessment tool: integrating sustainability into current design and building processes. In World Sustainable Building Conference, Melbourne, Australia.

Gomes, V., Silva, M., Lamberts, R., Takaoka, M. V., & Ilha, M. (2008, 21-25 September). Sustainable building in Brazil. In World Sustainable Building Conference, Melbourne, Australia.

Gowri, K. (2004). Green building rating systems: An overview. ASHRAE Journal, 46(11), 56.

Graham, P. (2003). The role of environmental performance assessment in Australian building design. International e-Journal of Construction, 1-23.

Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA). (2012). Financial incentives. Retrieved from https://www.gbca.org.au/advocacy/federal/4-financial-incentives4/

Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA). (2015a). About GBCA. Retrieved from http://www.gbca.org.au/about/

Green Building Council of Australia. (2015b). Green Star – Design and As Built version 1.1. Retrieved from https://www.gbca.org.au/green-star/green-star-design-as-built/the-rating-tool/

Green Building Council of South Africa. (2018). We certify. Retrieved from https://gbcsa.org.za/certify/

Green Building Council of South Africa. (n.d.). Green Star SA rating system. Retrieved from https://www.gbcsa.org.za/green-star-sa-rating-system/

Gunnel, K. (2009). Green building in South Africa: Emerging trends. Retrieved from https://www.academia.edu/29569417/Green_Building_in_South_Africa_Emerging_Trends

Haapio, A., & Viitaniemi, P. (2008). A critical review of building environmental assessment tools. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 28(7), 469-482. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2008.01.002

Hashim, S. Z., Zakaria, i. b., Ahzahar, N., Yasin, M. F., & Aziz, A. H. (2016). Implementation of green building incentives for construction key players in Malaysia. International Journal of Engineering and Technology, 8(2), 1039-1044.

He, Y., Kvan, T., Liu, M., & Li, B. (2018). How green building rating systems affect designing green. Building and Environment, 133, 19-31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2018.02.007

Hertzsch, E., Heywood, C., Piechowski, M., & Rowe, A. (2011). Aspects of life cycle investing for sustainable refurbishments in Australia. In Sustainability in Energy and Buildings (pp. 201-210). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-17387-5_21

Hoffman, A., & Henn, R. (2008). Overcoming the social and psychological barriers to green building. Organization & Environment, 21. https://doi.org/10.1177/1086026608326129

Hwang, B. G., & Tan, J. S. (2012). Green building project management: obstacles and solutions for sustainable development. Sustainable Development, 20(5), 335-349. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.492

Illankoon, I. M. C. S., Tam, V. W., & Le, K. N. (2016a). Environmental, economic, and social parameters in international green building rating tools. Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice, 143(2), 05016010. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EI.1943-5541.0000313

Illankoon, I. M. C. S., Tam, V. W. Y., Le, K. N., & Shen, L. (2016b). Cost premium and the life cycle cost of green building implementation in obtaining green star rating in Australia. In Pacific Association of Quantity Surveyors Congress (PAQS), Christchursh, New Zealand.

Illankoon, I. M. C. S., Tam, V. W., Le, K. N., & Shen, L. (2017). Key credit criteria among international green building rating tools. Journal of Cleaner Production, 164, 209-220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.06.206

Illankoon, I. M. C. S., Tam, V. W. Y., & Le, K. N. (2018). Lifecycle cost model for Green Star office buidings in Australia. In International Conference on Sustainability in Energy and Buildings (SEB18), Gold Coast, Australia. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-04293-6_19

Indian Green Building Council. (2014). LEED. Retrieved from https://igbc.in/igbc/getSearchPage.htm?pagePath=leed.jsp

International Labour Organisation, European Union, & International Institute of Labor Studies. (2014). Green policies in the EU. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/social/BlobServlet?docId=7246&langId=en

International Standards Organisation [ISO]. (2017). Building and construction assets – service life planning. Part 5: Life cycle costing.

Kamaruzzaman, S. N., Lou, E. C. W., Zainon, N., Mohamed Zaid, N. S., & Wong, P. F. (2016). Environmental assessment schemes for non-domestic building refurbishment in the Malaysian context. Ecological Indicators, 69, 548-558. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2016.04.031

Kim, J.-L., Greene, M., & Kim, S. (2014). Cost comparative analysis of a new green building code for residential project development. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 140(5), 05014002. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000833

Kohler, N. (1999). The relevance of Green Building Challenge: an observer’s perspective. Building Research and Information, 27(4-5), 309-320. https://doi.org/10.1080/096132199369426

Lee, W. L. (2012). Benchmarking energy use of building environmental assessment schemes. Energy and Buildings, 45, 326-334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2011.11.024

Lewis, H., & Ryan, C. (2006). Imaging sustainability. Melbourne: RMIT Publishing Press.

Mansoury, B., & Tabatabaiefar, H. (2014). Application of sustainable design principles to increase energy efficiency of existing buildings. Building Research Journal, 61(3), 167-177. https://doi.org/10.2478/brj-2014-0013

Matisoff, D. C., Noonan, D. S., & Flowers, M. E. (2016). Green buildings: economics and policies. Review of Environmental Economics and Policy, 10(2), 329-346. https://doi.org/10.1093/reep/rew009

Mattoni, B., Guattari, C., Evangelisti, L., Bisegna, F., Gori, P., & Asdrubali, F. (2018). Critical review and methodological approach to evaluate the differences among international green building rating tools. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 82, 950-960. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.09.105

Mitchell, L. M. (2010). Green Star and NABERS: learning from the Australian experience with green building rating tools. In R. Bose (Ed.), Energy effifient cities (pp. 93-130). Washington: The World Bank.

Nakayama, K., & Morimoto, K. (2009). Risk factor for lifestyle and way of living for symptoms of sick building syndrome: epidemiological survey in Japan. Japanese Journal of Hygiene, 64(3), 689-698. https://doi.org/10.1265/jjh.64.689

Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS). (2017). BERS Pro Accreditation. Retrieved from http://www.nathers.gov.au/newsletters/issue-2-june-2016/bers-pro-accreditation

Ness, B., Urbel-Piirsalu, E., Anderberg, S., & Olsson, L. (2007). Categorising tools for sustainability assessment. Ecological Economics, 60(3), 498-508. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2006.07.023

New Zealand Green Building Council. (2015). History of Green Star. Retrieved from http://www.nzgbc.org.nz/Category?Action=View&Category_id=293

NSW Department of Planing and Environment. (2013). Five year outcomes summary: BASIX. Retrieved from https://www.basix.nsw.gov.au/iframe/images/BASIX_Five_Year_Outcomes_Summary.pdf

NSW Department of Planing and Environment. (2017). About BASIX. Retrieved from https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/planning-tools/basix

O’Leary, T., Belusko, M., Whaley, D., & Bruno, F. (2016). Comparing the energy performance of Australian houses using NatHERS modelling against measured household energy consumption for heating and cooling. Energy and Buildings, 119, 173-182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2016.03.025

Office of Environment and Heritage, Government of Australia. (2016). NABERS. Retrieved from https://nabers.gov.au/public/webpages/ContentStandard.aspx?module=0&template=3&include=homeIntro.htm

Olubunmi, O. A., Xia, P. B., & Skitmore, M. (2016). Green building incentives: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 59, 1611-1621. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2016.01.028

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development [OECD]. (2015). Green house gas emmissions. Retrieved from https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=AIR_GHG#

Pieragostini, C., Mussati, M. C., & Aguirre, P. (2012). On process optimization considering LCA methodology. Journal of Environmental Management, 96(1), 43-54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2011.10.014

Rebitzer, G., Ekvall, T., Frischknecht, R., Hunkeler, D., Norris, G., Rydberg, T., Schmidt, W.-P., Suh, S., Weidema, B. P., & Pennington, D. W. (2004). Life cycle assessment: Part 1: Framework, goal and scope definition, inventory analysis, and applications. Environment International, 30(5), 701-720. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2003.11.005

Reed, R., Wilkinson, S., Bilos, A., & Schulte, K.-W. (2011). A comparison of international sustainable building tools – An update. In The 17th Annual Pacific Rim Real Estate Society Conference, Gold Coast, Australia.

Reidy, C., Lederwasch, A., & Ison, N. (2011). Defining zero emission buildings review and recommendations (Final report). Retrieved from http://www.asbec.asn.au/research/

Saibuatrong, W., Cheroennet, N., & Suwanmanee, U. (2017). Life cycle assessment focusing on the waste management of conventional and bio-based garbage bags. Journal of Cleaner Production, 158, 319-334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.05.006

Salama, M., & Al-Saber, T. (2013). Imposing green building regulations in Dubai. In The 29th Annual ARCOM Conference, Reading, UK.

Seo, S. (2002). International review of environmental assessment tools and databases. Retrieved from https://digitalcollections.qut.edu.au/2001/

Seo, S., Tucker, S., Ambrose, M., Mitchell, P., & Wang, C. H. (2005). Technical evaluation of environment assessment tools (PN05.1019). Retrieved from http://www.ires.nus.edu.sg/davoslist/13.pdf

Shiel, J. J., Aynsley, R., Moghtaderi, B., & Page, A. (2017). The importance of air movement in warmer temperatures: a novel SET* house case study. Architectural Science Review, 60(3), 225-238. https://doi.org/10.1080/00038628.2017.1300763

Standing Committee on Public Works (NSW). (2001). Sick building syndrome. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/ladocs/inquiries/2181/5207%20Sick%20Building%20Syndrome%20Report.pdf

Suzer, O. (2015). A comparative review of environmental concern prioritization: LEED vs other major certification systems. Journal of Environmental Management, 154, 266-283. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.02.029

Tam, V. W. Y., Le, K. N., Zeng, S. X., Wang, X., & Illankoon, I. M. C. S. (2017). Regenerative practice of using photovoltaic solar systems for residential dwellings: An empirical study in Australia. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 75, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2016.10.040

Tray, E. (2017). 2015 Guide to Singapore Government funding and incentives for the environment. Retrieved from http://www.greenfuture.sg/2015/02/16/2015-guide-to-singapore-government-funding-and-incentives-for-the-environment/#8230

United Nations. (2004). United Nations Environment Programme. Sustainable consumption and production. In 8th International High-Level Seminar on Sustainable Consumption and Production, Monterrey, Mexico.

United States Green Building Council. (2007). Making the business case for high performance green buildings. Retrieved from http://www.usgbc.org/Docs/Member_Resource_Docs/makingthebusinesscase.pdf

United States Green Building Council. (2015a). International rankings of top 10 countries for LEED green building. Retrieved from https://www.usgbc.org/articles/us-green-building-council-announces-top-10-countries-and-regions-leed-green-building

United States Green Building Council. (2015b). LEED. Retrieved from http://www.usgbc.org/

United States Green Building Council. (2015c). LEED digital marketing brochure. Retrieved from http://leed.usgbc.org/

United States Green Building Council Research Committee. (2008). A national green building research agenda. Retrieved from http://www.usgbc.org/resources/national-green-building-research-agenda

Van der Sterren, M., Rahman, A., Shrestha, S., Barker, G., & Ryan, G. (2009). An overview of on-site retention and detention policies for urban stormwater management in the Greater Western Sydney Region in Australia. Water International, 34(3), 362-372. https://doi.org/10.1080/02508060903115175

Verghese, K., & Hes, D. (2007). Qualitative and quantitative tool development to support environmentally responsible decisions. Journal of Cleaner Production, 15(8-9), 814-818. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2006.07.006

Victoria State Government. (2017a). About firstRate5. Retrieved from https://www.fr5.com.au/aboutus

Victoria State Government. (2017b). Sustainability Victoria. Retrieved from http://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/services-and-advice/business/firstrate5

Vijayan, A., & Kumar, A. (2005). A review of tools to assess the sustainability in building construction. Environmental Progress, 24(2), 125-132. https://doi.org/10.1002/ep.10065

Watson, P., Mitchell, P., & Jones, D. (2004). Environmental assessment for commercial buildings: Stakeholder requirements and tool characteristics (2001-006-B-01). Retrieved from https://eprints.qut.edu.au/26859/1/26859.pdf

Whaley, D. M., O’Leary, T., & Al-Saedi, B. (2017). Cost benefit analysis of simulated thermal energy improvements made to existing older South Australian houses. Procedia Engineering, 180, 272-281. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2017.04.186

World Green Building Council [WGBC]. (2018). Retrieved from http://www.worldgbc.org/index.php?cID=1

World Watch Institute. (2015). Vision for a sustainable world. Retrieved from http://www.worldwatch.org/

Zhang, X., Platten, A., & Shen, L. (2011). Green property development practice in China: Costs and barriers. Building and Environment, 46(11), 2153-2160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2011.04.031