Global Regulations

Global Regulations

How the world governs sustainable construction.
Jul 31, 2025|4 min

Sustainable construction has become a global imperative. Governments, organizations, and industry bodies worldwide have developed green building rating systems and standards to drive environmental responsibility in the built environment. These frameworks guide and benchmark sustainable practices, helping to shape a greener, healthier future. Below, we highlight some of the key agencies leading this movement and their unique standards and impact.

Major Sustainable Construction Agencies & Rating Systems

1. US Green Building Council (USGBC) – LEED (USA & Worldwide)

  • Standard: LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
  • Launched: 1998
  • Scope: Energy use, water efficiency, carbon emissions, indoor air quality, and material selection for buildings.
  • Impact: Over 100,000 commercial projects certified in 181 countries. LEED buildings have shown up to 34% lower CO₂ emissions, 25% less energy use, and 11% less water consumption compared to conventional buildings.

2. BRE – BREEAM (UK & International)

  • Standard: BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method)
  • Launched: 1990
  • Scope: Land use, ecology, pollution, transport, materials, waste, water, energy, and health.
  • Impact: Over 600,000 certifications in 89 countries. BREEAM projects typically deliver 22% less operational carbon compared to regulatory baselines.

3. GBC Australia – Green Star (Australia)

  • Standard: Green Star
  • Launched: 2003
  • Scope: Management, indoor environment quality, energy, transport, water, materials, land use/ecology, and emissions.
  • Impact: More than 2,500 buildings certified. Green Star projects use 66% less electricity and 51% less potable water than average Australian buildings.

4. DGNB (German Sustainable Building Council, Germany)

  • Standard: DGNB Certification System
  • Launched: 2008
  • Scope: Environment, economic, sociocultural and functional quality, technical, process, and site quality.
  • Impact: Over 6,000 projects certified, promoting whole-life value and quality beyond just environmental performance.

5. IGBC (Indian Green Building Council, India)

  • Standard: IGBC Green Building Rating Systems
  • Launched: 2001
  • Scope: Site selection, water and energy efficiency, building materials, indoor air quality, innovation, and occupant health.
  • Impact: Over 10,000 registered green building projects, covering more than 10 billion sq.ft. IGBC-rated projects have demonstrated reduced energy and water consumption and enhanced occupant well-being.

6. Other Major Frameworks

  • HQE (France): Focuses on health, comfort, and environmental stewardship.
  • CASBEE (Japan): Considers efficiency and the reduction of environmental loads during entire building life-cycle.
  • GRIHA (India): Emphasizes on reducing resource consumption, waste generation, and overall ecological impact.

Global Trends & Impact

  • The adoption of these standards has directly reduced energy and water consumption, lowered carbon footprints, and improved occupant well-being worldwide.
  • These rating systems often influence government regulations and local codes, leading to mandatory minimum standards for sustainable construction.
  • Market transformation: Certified green buildings often command higher rental rates, increased asset value, and lower vacancy.

Conclusion

Global sustainable construction is defined by a diversity of rating systems—each tailored to its region's priorities but all pushing the world toward greener, healthier, and more resilient built environments. Agencies like USGBC, BRE, GBC Australia, DGNB, and IGBC are not just setting benchmarks but actively transforming industry norms for a sustainable future.

Want to know more about how these regulations can shape your next project? Reach out for expert guidance on sustainable building worldwide!