Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method
Established: 1990
Origin: United Kingdom
Global Reach: 540,000+ certified
The world's first and longest-established sustainability assessment method for the built environment
WELL Building Standard
Established: 2014
Origin: United States
Global Reach: Growing globally certified
Focuses exclusively on enhancing people's health and well-being in the built environment
Living Building Challenge
Established: 2006
Origin: International
Global Reach: 250 certified, 500 pursuing certified
The most rigorous and comprehensive certification program - net zero energy, water, and waste
The world's first sustainability assessment method - evaluating management, water, energy, transport, health, resources, and ecology
Project management and procurement
Indoor environmental quality
Energy efficiency and CO2 emissions
Location and accessibility
Water consumption and efficiency
Sustainable sourcing and life cycle
Waste management and resources
Site ecology and biodiversity
Air, water, and light pollution
Exceptional performance
Meets basic sustainability standards
Good sustainability performance
Advanced sustainability practices
Exemplary sustainability achievement
World-class sustainability leadership
The first building standard focused exclusively on human health and wellness - addressing user behavior, operations, and design
Optimize air quality through ventilation, filtration, and source control
Ensure clean, safe, and accessible drinking water
Encourage healthy eating habits and food transparency
Maximize natural light and optimize artificial lighting
Promote physical activity and active living
Maintain comfortable temperature and humidity levels
Control acoustic environment to support health
Reduce exposure to harmful chemicals
Support mental and emotional health
Foster social connection and equity
Meets foundational health and wellness criteria
Demonstrates advanced health optimization
Achieves exceptional health and wellness performance
The most rigorous green building certification - philosophy, advocacy tool, and standard for net zero energy, water, and waste
Restore a healthy relationship between buildings and nature
Imperatives: Limits to Growth, Urban Agriculture, Habitat Exchange, Car Free Living
Net Positive Water - return more water than consumed
Imperatives: Net Positive Water
Net Positive Energy - produce more energy than consumed
Imperatives: Net Positive Energy, Energy Storage, Embodied Carbon
Create healthy, inspiring spaces
Imperatives: Healthy Interior Environment, Biophilic Environment, Accessible Design
Use safe, sustainable materials
Imperatives: Red List, Responsible Industry, Living Economy Sourcing, Net Positive Waste
Support a just, equitable world
Imperatives: Human Scaled Living, Universal Access, Equitable Investment, JUST Organizations
Celebrate design that uplifts the human spirit
Imperatives: Beauty + Spirit, Inspiration + Education
Highest level - must meet all 20 imperatives across all 7 petals
Full compliance with all imperatives
Meet 3 petals plus Core imperatives
10 core imperatives + all imperatives in 3 petals (one must be Water, Energy, or Materials)
Meet essential sustainability requirements
10 core imperatives only
Access official documentation and certification requirements
Complete BREEAM certification standards and technical manuals
Official WELL health and wellness certification resources
International Living Future Institute certification portal
Technical standards and assessment criteria
Complete WELL v2 features and requirements
Petals handbook and implementation guides