Green Building Certification - A practical and smart investment
What is Green Building Certification?
Green building certification is a set of standards, tools, and assessments used to recognize buildings that meet sustainability criteria in terms of environmental impact, energy efficiency, and natural resource conservation.
This certification is based on standards, guidelines, and criteria developed by various reputable organizations. Buildings can be certified based on their design, construction, and operation, and are usually recognized at different levels or categories depending on their environmental performance.
Benefits of Green Building Certification in the Construction Sector
Vietnam and the world are actively promoting efforts to reduce the negative environmental impacts of building construction and operation. By applying green building certification, investors and clients demonstrate their commitment to sustainable development.
Green building certification plays a vital role by setting standards that encourage improvements in indoor air quality, natural lighting, and other health-related features, helping buildings become more harmonious and connected with nature. It also provides certification standards that help investors and building operators reduce operational costs through energy-efficient systems and equipment, thereby increasing the building’s value. Key benefits include:
- Increased property value
- Reduced operational costs
- Attracting customers and investors
- Compliance with regulations and eligibility for government incentives
- Improved health, enhanced productivity, and reduced environmental impact
Popular Green Building Certifications in Vietnam
1. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED certification evaluates a building’s environmental performance based on a point system across various criteria, including energy efficiency, water conservation, material selection, indoor environmental quality, and sustainable site development. Buildings meeting certain criteria can achieve LEED certification at different levels: Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum.
2. EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies)
EDGE is a green building certification system developed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group.
EDGE evaluates three resource efficiency areas: energy, water, and materials. To achieve EDGE certification, a building must demonstrate at least 20% resource savings compared to a conventional building. The certification process includes an online software tool that provides design improvement recommendations to help meet certification requirements.
3. LOTUS Certification
LOTUS is the first green building rating system developed specifically for the Vietnamese construction market by the Vietnam Green Building Council (VGBC).
LOTUS evaluates buildings based on criteria such as energy, water, materials, health and comfort, site and ecology, and management.
Bureau Veritas services
Bureau Veritas is a global leader in Testing, Inspection, and Certification services for green buildings. With extensive expertise and a global network, our team of experts provides consulting services to help clients meet energy-saving and environmental protection standards required by various green building certifications. This helps reduce operational costs and increase asset value.
Project Director of OPEX
Bureau Veritas Vietnam
Bureau Veritas places sustainability at the core of its mission, helping clients address challenges related to quality, health and safety, environmental protection, and social responsibility. Through our green services and solutions, Bureau Veritas supports clients in improving performance and demonstrating transparency and sustainability commitments.