A Review of Green Building Certification Systems through the Lens of Sustainable Architecture

Year 2025, Volume: 7 Issue: 1, 157 - 170, 10.07.2025

Razieh Rostami

https://doi.org/10.46474/jds.1691673

Abstract

Today, the building sector, with its investments, consumes 30–40% of the world's primary resources and is continuing to grow. Energy saving through energy efficiency in buildings has become essential globally. The construction industry has thus become a crucial element not only economically but also in terms of its significant environmental impacts. Therefore, recognizing various aspects of sustainability in green buildings is worth considering. The present study has been conducted using a descriptive and analytical method, relying on quantitative data and library research. First, the principles of sustainable buildings were thoroughly examined, followed by a review of various rating systems such as BREEAM, CASBEE, GBTool, U.S. Green Globes™, and LEED®.

It was found that the LEED rating system, compared to other systems, enjoys broader global acceptance. However, the research shows that each rating system reflects the policies and approaches of different countries regarding sustainability. Thus, the green building topic is a global issue that requires regional solutions. In fact, warming, climate change, and all environmental concerns confronting the world cannot be addressed with a single system. Instead, solutions must consider local conditions—not only primary climate characteristics but also regional policies. This paper aims to review and compare major green building certification systems from the perspective of sustainable architectural principles.

Keywords

Sustainable buildings , Green building rating systems , Environmental impact

References

• Akadiri, P. O., Chinyio, E. A., & Olomolaiye, P. O. (2012). Design of a sustainable building: A conceptual framework for implementing sustainability in the building sector. Buildings, 2(2), 126–152.
• Akadiri, P. O., Chinyio, E. A., & Olomolaiye, P. O. (2012). Design of a sustainable building: A conceptual framework for implementing sustainability in the building sector. Buildings, 2(2), 126–152.
• Cabeza, L. F., Rincón, L., Vilariño, V., Pérez, G., & Castell, A. (2014). Life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle energy analysis (LCEA) of buildings and the building sector: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 29, 394–416.
• Good, C., Andresen, I., & Hestnes, A. G. (2015). Solar energy for net zero energy buildings—A comparison between solar thermal, PV, and photovoltaic–thermal (PV/T) systems. Solar Energy, 122, 986–996.
• Gratia, E., & De Herde, A. (2004). Natural cooling strategies efficiency in an office building with a double-skin façade. Energy and Buildings, 39(10), 1138–1152.
• Gu, L., Gu, D., Lin, B., Huang, M., Gai, J., & Zhu, Y. (2007, September). Life cycle green cost assessment method for green building design. In Proceedings of Building Simulation (pp. 1963–1969).
• Ilha, M. S. O., Oliveira, L. H., & Gonçalves, O. M. (2009). Environmental assessment of residential buildings with an emphasis on water conservation. Building Services Engineering Research and Technology, 30(2), 150–161.
• Kukadia, V., & Hall, D. (2004). Improving air quality in urban environments: Guidance for the construction industry. BRE Bookshop.
• Matthews, E., Amann, C., Bringezu, S., Fischer-Kowalski, M., Hüttler, W., Kleijn, R., ... & Schandl, H. (2000). The weight of nations. Material outflows from industrial economies. World Resources Institute, Washington.
• Ofori, G. (1998). Sustainable construction: principles and a framework for attainment-comment. Construction Management & Economics, 16(2), 141–145.
• Shafa, S..(2024a) "Ranking of smart building design factors with efficient energy management systems and renewable resources." Journal of Design Studio 6, no. 2 (2024): 325-335. https://doi.org/10.46474/jds.1575903
• Shafa, S.(2024b). "Smart materials in green architecture: The role of etfe and phase change materials in sustainable building design." Journal of Design Studio 6, no. 2 (2024): 383-395. https://doi.org/10.46474/jds.1556305
• Shafa, S. (2025). Effective Factors in Applying Sustainable Design to Architectural Projects: Shiraz Case. Journal of Mechanical, Civil and Industrial Engineering, 6(2), 33-50. https://doi.org/10.32996/jmcie.2025.6.2.5
• Saghaei, S., Shafa, S., & Farahani, P. (2025). Machine Learning-Based Drought Classification Using Meteorological Data: Toward Smarter Environmental Models for Site Exploration. Journal of Mechanical, Civil and Industrial Engineering, 6(2), 01-08. https://doi.org/10.32996/jmcie.2025.6.2.1
• Shameri, M. A., Alghoul, M. A., Sopian, K., Zain, M. F. M., & Elayeb, O. (2011). Perspectives of double skin façade systems in buildings and energy saving. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 15(5), 2455–2463.
• Shen, L. Y., Tam, V. W., Tam, L., & Ji, Y. B. (2010). Project feasibility study: the key to successful implementation of sustainable and socially responsible construction management practice. Journal of Cleaner Production, 18(3), 254–259.
• USGBC, (2024), https://www.usgbc.org/articles/new-report-us-green-building-council-details-data-three-decades-impact