Rating systems for counting buildings' environmental performance

The design, construction, use and demolition of buildings generate substantial social and economic benefits to society but may also have serious negative impacts especially for the environment. In response to the demand for evaluation and management of buildings' environmental performance, several tools and methodologies have been developed and are being implemented in the construction sector aiming at sustainable performance. The research work is focusing on environmental management tools emphasising to rating systems' analysis, comparison and implementation for buildings' environmental performance. The LEED and BREEAM guides for existing buildings and new construction are compared, similarities and differences are analysed and a joint evaluation guide for existing buildings derived as a result of the rating systems' analysis. Finally BREEAM and LEED were implemented to a new constructed multiuse office building in Greece in order to compare the results obtained.