Study on Certification Criteria of Building Energy and Environmental Performance in the Context of Achieving Climate Neutrality

Abstract

Increased greenhouse gas emissions have led to a global warming threat. As a result, countries have tended to focus their decision-making attention on energy-saving strategies. Specifically, the concept of green building has been developed for the construction sector. It aims to create energy-efficient structural activities (new constructions, repairs, or renovated constructions) that will be carried out in line with the determined criteria. With the concept of green building and the need to establish criteria and standards to ensure energy efficiency, green building certification systems have come to the fore. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) certification systems have been developed. This article investigates the achievements of the Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) category of LEED-certified projects in Türkiye and Europe. A comparison study of countries was carried out, based on the fourth version of the LEED BD+C framework that was developed for new green building projects. The study’s primary goal is to show the linear correlation between market value and IEQ. It was revealed that the gross domestic product does not affect IEQ applications. Although Türkiye was ranked first in applying for IEQ credits, its economic development level is lower than that of other European countries.

Examining Energy Efficiency Practices in Office Buildings through the Lens of LEED, BREEAM, and DGNB Certifications

“…The authors emphasized that regardless of the method used, converted LEED scores showed a positive correlation with time, suggesting that the sustainability of buildings has increased from 2006 to 2017. However, the concentration of certified LEED projects tends to be highest in areas of cities with the greatest economic potential [104]. BREEAM stands out for its inclusion of social factors, promoting community engagement and occupant wellbeing alongside environmental considerations.…”

Post-Pandemic Retail Design: Human Relationships with Nature and Customer Loyalty—A Case of the Grand Bazaar Tehran

“…These facts prompted the development of green building guidelines and rating systems aimed at reducing the environmental impact of buildings through sustainable design [84,85]. These guidelines and rating systems serve as technical instruments for evaluating the environmental impacts of buildings and construction projects.…”

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Technological Advances, Impacts and Challenges in the Management of Healthy and Sustainable Environments

“…In energy terms, waste management and energy consumption are very prominent in the construction process [111], and they have objectives related to creating ideal IEQ conditions that can co-occur with the active participation of occupants in improving site conditions [112]. Among the evaluation alternatives, benchmarks can be used to investigate water capacity, energy capacity and even carbon intensity [2,113]. By analyzing these conditions, it becomes possible to explore the ideal design of sustainable environments [114] and better use of resources [115].…”

“…According to Gallo and Romano [125], urban areas consume around 75% of all global energy resources, resulting in approximately 80% of polluting gas emissions, thus representing one of the main challenges facing communities. These challenges include financial constraints and citizens' expectations, as well as the need to attract investment and create job opportunities to make these locations more sustainable, attractive, efficient and livable [2]. Along the same lines, Niza et al [126] point out that the construction sector plays a significant role in emitting pollutants due to a lack of planning, excessive energy consumption for heating and waste of resources.…”

“…This concept addresses the interaction between the environment and the promotion of development, ensuring current needs without compromising future generations [1]. However, concerns about this issue date back to the 18th century, coinciding with the advent of the First Industrial Revolution, when the increased use of machines to the detriment of human power demanded the use of fossil fuels for energy, resulting in more significant greenhouse gas emissions and global warming problems [2].…”