Guidance Report
Green Certifications and Rating Systems:
Building, Product, and Professional
December 20, 2023
This guidance report provides a comprehensive overview of major certifications and rating systems in three distinct categories: green buildings, green building products, and green building professionals. Bolstered by the most up-to-date information from certifying agencies and organizations, the report lays out the processes, eligibility requirements, fees, timelines, and other relevant data points necessary to decide which certifications are worth pursing on a case-by-case basis. It also supplies in-depth analysis of each certification as well as case studies for select programs.
.png)
CREDITS
​
Author: Carli Schoenleber, Senior Communications Manager, Content and Engagement, VIBE and Verdani Partners
​
Author/Editor: Bennett Rea, Editor, VIBE
​
Research and Editing: Darian Gore, Research Assistant, VIBE
​
Content Advisors:
Daniele Horton, Founder and
CEO of Verdani Partners, Founder of VIBE.
Jerry Yudelson, LEED Fellow Emeritus.
Madison Dorman, Associate Director of Certifications, Verdani Partners.
​
Project Management:
Paulynn Cue, Project Management, Chief Communications Officer, Verdani Partners.
Julie Jacobson, Executive Director VIBE; Associate Director of ESG, Verdani Partners.
Graphic Design:
Luciana Aguiarde Aquino Manhaes, Lead Designer, VIBE.
Jackie Royds, Graphic Designer, Verdani Partners.
Cassandra Taylor, Template Creator, Verdani Partners.
Ryan Hasan, Project Management, Senior Communications Designer, Verdani Partners
Sponsor: Verdani Partners and seeking additional sponsorship
​
Volunteer Researchers: Eva Asfahani, Kimiya Khoushkhou, Ann Natunewicz, Hannah Apple, Lenah Lankhar, Leora Cooper, George Cortez, Emme Moore, Ruby Gonzalez-Jiminez, Abbey Serio, Michal Pineda, Robert Distler, Olivia Bain, Carly Trattner
A Special Thanks to: Andrea Stanislav, Michael Kloha, Sam Howley, Jennifer Webb, Sumner Byrne, John Paul Efe, Jacqueline Murcia, Heidi Belinda Bugge, Todd Feist, and Ruby Gonzalez-Jiminez
​