Comparative assessment of environmental performance tools and the role of the Green Building Challenge

• Published in: Building research and information : the international journal of research, development and demonstration development and demonstration, 2001-09, Vol.29 (5), p.324-335
• Main Authors: Todd, Joel Ann, Crawley, Drury, Geissler, Susanne, Lindsey, Gail
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Building Assessment Systems Building Performance Environmental Assessment Environmental Assessment Methods Green Building Challenge International Collaboration Knowledge Transfer Trends
• ISSN: 0961-3218; 1466-4321
• DOI: 10.1080/09613210110064268

Green Building Challenge (GBC) was intended to advance the state-of-the-art of building performance assessment, through the development, testing, and discussion of an assessment framework, criteria and tool. The contributions of GBC to building performance assessment are considered through comparing similarities and differences with a selection of available assessment tools. Unlike national or proprietary assessment systems, GBC was not designed for application to specific commercial markets. Instead, it emphasized research and involved researchers and practitioners from many countries. Consequently, GBC has been in a unique position to test and adopt new ideas and implement step changes. GBC's roles over the past five years have been to provide a reference framework, method and tools that can be used to develop new systems or improve existing systems; provide a forum for discussion among researchers and practitioners worldwide; and raise awareness and credibility of assessment systems. GBC's role has evolved as the context in which it operates has changed. Based on the analysis on GBC's specific characteristics and strengths, its potential future roles are found to reside in a unique position. Its role as a reference system has become less important to many participants as they implement their own national assessment systems. However, GBC's role as a forum and catalyst for change has taken on greater importance as researchers and practitioners continue to wrestle with the most difficult issues in building performance assessment. Le GBC (Green Building Challenge) était destiné à présenter le nec plus ultra de l'évaluation des performances des bâtiments, par le biais du développement, de l'essai et de discussions concernant un cadre, des critères et des outils d'évaluation. Les contributions du GBC dans l'évaluation des performances dans le domaine du bâtiment présentent des similitudes et des différences avec un certain nombre d'outils d'évaluation disponibles sur le marché, ce qui a été pris en considération. Contrairement aux systèmes d'évaluation nationaux ou privés, le GBC n'a pas été conçu pour être appliqué à des marchés commerciaux spécifiques. Au contraire, il insiste sur la recherche et implique les chercheurs et les scientifiques de nombreux pays. Par conséquent, le GBC se trouve dans une position unique pour tester et adopter de nouvelles idées et mettre en oeuvre des changements. Le GBC a joué plusieurs rôles au cours des cinq dernières années,