The Green Globes™ system was introduced in the United States in 2004. This system provides for either self-assessment or assessment by a third party. It was adapted from a Canadian protocol of the same name, and is one of only two green building rating systems recommended by the Canadian government in its Guidelines for the Use of Building Performance Assessment Tools. Changes made to adapt Green Globes™ for the U.S. market were primarily non-substantive, such as changing units of measurement, changing Canadian references to U.S. references, and incorporating U.S. programs such as the EPA Target Finder. The Green Building Initiative owns the license to promote and further develop Green Globes™ in the United States.
To become certified and receive a rating of one, two, three or four globes, the data submitted online must be verified by a licensed engineer or architect who has training in the Green Globes™ system. Using the project's working drawings, building specifications, waste disposal plans, evidence of energy and life cycle modeling, and other supporting materials, the verifier reviews the submission and confirms that the rating which has already been assigned by the system is supported by fact. If the verifier finds that incorrect claims were made or a positive practice was not recorded, he or she modifies the input, justifying why the change was made. A quality assurance protocol helps to ensure that verifiers conduct their assessments properly and consistently.
Users can engage a Green Globes™ verifier immediately following completion of the construction documents questionnaire. A preliminary verification will be conducted using the evidence detailed above and a certificate recognizing the design achievement will be awarded as appropriate. The final verification allowing the architect, developer and owner to promote the building as having earned one, two, three, or four globes happens only after a site inspection has been completed by the Green Globes™ verifier following final construction of the building. The greater the number of globes, the more ‘green’ the building.
Lighting Related Criteria
Under third party assessment and certification, the Green Globes system allows for a possibility of earning up to 1000 points, where points are assigned based on meeting certain criteria. The final number of points actually achieved on a project determines the ‘level’ of certification:
| Number of Points | Level of Certification |
| 850-1000 | 4 Globes |
| 700-849 | 3 Globes |
| 550-699 | 2 Globes |
| 350-549 | 1 Globe |
Lighting is involved in some degree for up to 252 points, although some of the criteria described below require the project to also meet non-lighting criteria to earn the points specified.
Minimal Light Pollution
In section B.2.7, (Light Pollution Reduction) the objective of this criteria is to reduce the impact on the nocturnal environment of fauna and flora.” This criterion may earn 7 points. The requirements for Minimal Light Pollution are to comply with IESNA recommendations and to comply with the following limits:
| Type Of Area | Illuminance (horizontal and vertical) allowed at site boundary (fc) | Distance Beyond Site Boundary By Which Illuminance Must Drop to 0.01 fc (feet) | Uplight Allowed as a Percent of Total Initial Fixture Lumens |
| Dark Park or Rural Setting | 0.01 | 0 | 0% |
| Residential Area | 0.10 | 10 | 2% |
| Commercial/Industrial or High-Density Residential | 0.20 | 15 | 5% |
| Major City Center or Entertainment District | 0.60 | 15 | 10% |
| | | | |
Energy Performance
The objective of Section C.1.1 is to minimize the energy consumption for building operations. Meeting the criteria of this section can earn the project up to 100 points per the following requirement:
| EPA Performance Target | Score |
| 75% | 10 Points |
| 80% | 20 |
| 82% | 30 |
| 84% | 40 |
| 86% | 50 |
| 88% | 60 |
| 90% | 70 |
| 92% | 80 |
| 94% | 90 |
| 96% or higher | 100 |
| Don’t Know | 0 |
| | |
Daylighting
The objective of this criterion is to “reduce loads on energy-using systems”. This criterion can earn up to 30 points. Requirements include the following:
- Using an effective aperture value between 0.15 and 0.30.
- Maximizing floor areas near the perimeter walls receiving daylight
- Other daylighting strategies
- Use of glazing with a minimum visible light transmission to solar heat gain coefficient ratio of at least 1.55
Building Controls & Energy Metering
This section strives to also “reduce loads on energy-using systems…”. Up to 35 points may be earned here. Some of the lighting related criteria include:
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Sub-metering for lighting panels, air handling units, chillers, pumps, hot water heaters, furnaces and boilers
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Daylighting controls within 20 feet of window walls and within 8 feet of skylight edges
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Minimize size of lighting control zones
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Use of occupancy sensors & automatic shutoff
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Other non-lighting controls
Energy Use by the Lighting
Up to 25 points is available here for:
Resources & Materials
Lighting equipment can be marginally involved in the following credits:
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Materials Re-use
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Recycled Content
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Bio-based Products
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Building Adaptability
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Construction Waste
Indoor Environment – Lighting
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Daylighting
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Lighting Design
- Provide light levels consistent with those recommended in IESNA Lighting Handbook, 2000, for the types of tasks that are anticipated in the various building spaces (regardless of daylighting).
- Avoid excessive direct or reflected glare by selecting lighting equipment compatible with the use of VDT screens.
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