“Comparative Analysis of Green Building Rating Systems in Developed and Developing Nations”
Abstract
The construction sector is one of the primary consumers of environmental resources and a significant contributor to pollution in both manmade and natural environments worldwide. In recent years, the concept of green buildings has gained substantial traction, leading to the establishment of various rating systems aimed at evaluating the sustainability of these structures. These rating systems serve to certify diverse aspects of sustainable development during the planning and construction phases, while also integrating best practices to achieve higher certification levels. This study is part of a larger research initiative with three main objectives: (1) to conduct a comparative analysis of different green building rating systems utilized in developed and developing nations, (2) to identify the roles and limitations of existing environmental building assessment methods in determining building sustainability in developing countries, and (3) to compute a sustainability and composite index using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), based on the framework proposed by Ding (2007). This paper specifically addresses the first objective, providing insights into the differences and similarities between rating systems across various regions. In the context of India, the research highlights that existing rating systems often overlook economic and climatic factors, which can impact their effectiveness. The findings of this study are intended to benefit all stakeholders engaged in the evaluation and promotion of green building practices.
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