Green building certification has begun to gain more importance in the construction industry with the spread of environmentally friendly and sustainable construction. Today, many buildings, from housing projects to offices, are evaluated according to criteria such as energy efficiency, water saving, waste management and quality of life.
Certificates such as LEED, BREEAM and YeS-TR aim to reduce the environmental impact of buildings while also creating more efficient living spaces for users. Especially low energy consumption, long-term cost advantage and increasing sustainable life expectancy increase the interest in green building certified projects every year.
What is Green Building Certificate?
Green building certification It is an international or national evaluation system that shows that a building is built in accordance with criteria such as energy efficiency, water saving, environmental impact, materials used and quality of life. These certificates, which aim to reduce the environmental impact of buildings, aim to create more sustainable living spaces. It also contributes to reducing environmental factors such as energy consumption and carbon emission value.
In projects with LEED green building certification, reducing energy consumption, more efficient use of natural resources and reducing carbon emissions are prioritized. At the same time, details affecting user comfort such as indoor air quality, use of natural light and waste management are also among the evaluation criteria.
Today, LEED, BREEAM and YeS-TR are among the most widely used green building certificates. In these systems, the building; It is scored under many headings, from project design to materials used, from energy infrastructure to environmental sustainability. According to the score result, the building has a certain certification level.
What are the Types of Green Building Certificates?
Green building certificates consist of different systems that evaluate the environmental impact, energy performance and sustainability criteria of buildings. These certificates used in the world and in Turkey; It evaluates based on many criteria such as energy efficiency, water management, carbon emissions, material selection and user health. The most common types of green building certification are:
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
It is one of the most common green building certifications based in the USA. It evaluates criteria such as energy savings, sustainable land use, water efficiency and indoor quality. It is frequently used in residences, offices, shopping malls and mixed projects.
BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method)
It is a UK-based certification system. It comprehensively analyzes the building's impact on the environment. It scores on topics such as energy use, transportation, waste management and building materials.
YeS-TR (Green Certificate – Türkiye)
It is Turkey's national green building certification system. It was developed taking into account climatic conditions, local building needs and legislation in Turkey. It aims to promote environmentally friendly construction.
DGNB Certificate
This system, based in Germany, evaluates not only environmental impacts but also economic and sociocultural sustainability. It focuses on the long-term usage performance of the building.
EDGE Certificate
The EDGE system, developed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), focuses especially on projects that save energy and water. It is becoming widespread in developing countries due to its lower cost and faster applicability.
WELL Certificate
This system focuses more on user health and quality of life. It evaluates criteria such as indoor air quality, natural light, acoustic comfort and living space ergonomics.
How to Get a Green Building Certificate?
To receive green building certification, buildings must meet certain sustainability and environmental criteria. Certification process; It consists of many steps, from project planning to material selection, from energy performance to inspection stages. Although the criteria vary depending on the certification system to be applied, the process generally proceeds similarly:
- To obtain a green building certificate, first the certification system appropriate to the project is determined. Systems such as LEED, BREEAM, YeS-TR or EDGE; It is selected according to the region where the building is located, its intended use and sustainability goals.
- The architectural planning and technical infrastructure of the building is prepared in accordance with energy efficiency and environmentally friendly usage criteria. Solutions that provide use of natural light, thermal insulation, water saving and low energy consumption are taken into consideration at this stage.
- Materials that are recyclable, less harmful to the environment and go through sustainable production processes are preferred in the building. At the same time, systems such as rainwater collection systems, solar energy applications and energy-saving lighting can be included in the project.
- During the certification process, the building's energy consumption, carbon emissions, water use and indoor air quality are measured through various analyses.
- Prepared technical reports and performance data are submitted to the relevant certification body.
- Following inspections and inspections by independent experts, the structure is scored according to certain criteria.
- Building according to the score obtained; Certified is eligible to receive green building certification at different levels such as silver, gold or platinum.
What are the advantages of Green Building Certified Residences?
Increasing energy costs and sustainable living approach make environmentally friendly projects more important in housing selection. For this reason, green building certified residences; It stands out with its energy saving, life comfort and long-term cost advantages. The main advantages provided by green building certified residences are:
- Thanks to lower energy consumption, it can reduce electricity and natural gas expenses.
- It makes resource use more efficient thanks to water-saving systems.
- It can increase living comfort thanks to heat and sound insulation.
- It can provide healthier living spaces by improving indoor air quality.
- It supports sustainable living because environmentally friendly materials are used.
- It can increase the value and investment potential of the house in the long run.
- It contributes to reducing environmental impacts by reducing carbon emissions.
- It can offer more efficient use with smart building technologies.
Can an Existing Building Receive a Green Certificate Later?
Existing buildings can also subsequently receive green building certification if they meet certain sustainability criteria. Today, not only new projects, but also existing residential, office and commercial buildings can be transformed in terms of energy efficiency and environmental performance and included in the certification process.
In this process, improvements need to be made in areas such as the building's energy consumption, water use, insulation performance, waste management and indoor air quality. Strengthening thermal insulation, using energy-saving lighting systems, adding renewable energy solutions and water-saving practices play an important role in the evaluation process. Especially buildings with high energy classes and advantages in terms of Energy Identity Certificate can provide a stronger start in the green building certification processes. Following technical analysis and independent inspections, the building is scored according to the criteria of the relevant certification system. Buildings that provide sufficient performance may be eligible to receive a green building certificate in the existing building category.
With the increasing interest in sustainable construction Türkiye green building certificate applications have also begun to gain more importance. Energy efficiency, environmentally friendly living spaces and long-term cost advantages make green certified projects stand out. Particularly as environmental standards become more decisive in the future, interest in projects in this field continues to increase.
