Health and Sustainability: No Longer an Either/Or Equation
SYDNEY, January 31, 2017 /3BL Media/ -- A new guidance document that compares and aligns the Green Star and WELL Building Standard™ (WELL) rating systems will support building owners looking to boost the sustainability of their assets and support the health and wellbeing of people inside the buildings.
The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) and the International WELL Building Institute™ (IWBI™) announced a new partnership in 2016, and are working collaboratively to promote health and wellbeing in the design, construction and operations of buildings, fitouts and communities in Australia.
Green Star and WELL Building Standard: Approaches to buildings or fitouts seeking a dual rating maps the Green Star credits and criteria that may be used for an assessment under the WELL Building Standard, and vice versa.
“As owners and investors increasingly look to third-party certification to demonstrate transparency, accountability and a commitment to best practice, we must ensure certification is an easy and cost-effective process,” says the GBCA’s Head of Market Transformation, Jorge Chapa.
“By working together to map out the synergies within the two rating tools, project teams can avoid duplication of effort, and achieve both Green Star and WELL ratings faster, and cheaper. Building owners don’t have to choose between health and sustainability – both are more easily achieved as a result of this work.”
“By every measure, Australia has long been a global sustainability leader,” said IWBI Chairman and CEO Rick Fedrizzi, “so it’s no surprise that its real estate community has been at the forefront of efforts to use buildings to more intentionally advance the health and well-being of the people who spend so much time in them. By taking advantage of the natural synergies between Green Star and WELL, we can have rapid and significant impact on both planetary and public health. We’re proud to work alongside GBCA to advance our shared mission.”
The document provides guidance specific to new buildings or new fitouts being rated under Green Star – Design & As Built or Green Star – Interiors. Future versions will include guidance specific to buildings seeking Green Star – Performance ratings.
“This new guidance will provide industry with extra support to deliver buildings that are efficient, productive and healthy for the environment, and for people too,” Mr Chapa concludes.
Download Green Star and WELL Building Standard: Approaches to buildings or fitouts seeking a dual rating from the GBCA and IWBI websites: www.gbca.org.au / www.wellcertified.com
Media Contacts:
Karen Jamal
Green Building Council of Australia
Tel: 0412 179 135
Email: karen.jamal@gbca.org.au
Callie Stanton
International WELL Building Institute
Tel: +1 646-654-3438
Email: cstanton@nikecomm.com
About the Green Building Council of Australia
Australia’s authority on sustainable buildings and communities, the GBCA is leading the transformation of the nation’s built environment. The GBCA’s vision is for healthy, resilient and positive places for people and the natural environment, and it works with more than 700 members, industry and government to encourage policies and programs that support this vision. The GBCA educates thousands of people each year on the design and delivery of sustainable outcomes, and operates Australia’s only national, voluntary, holistic rating system for sustainable buildings and communities – Green Star. A trusted mark of quality, Green Star has transformed Australia’s built environment, with more than 1,300 certified projects – the equivalent to 21 million sqm of space – delivering environmental efficiencies while boosting the productivity, health and wellbeing of occupants. www.gbca.org.au
About the International WELL Building Institute
The International WELL Building Institute™ (IWBI™) is a public benefit corporation whose mission is to improve human health and well-being through the built environment. Public benefit corporations like IWBI are an emerging U.S. structure for corporations committed to balancing public benefits with profitability – harnessing the power of private capital for greater good. IWBI administers the WELL Building Standard™ (WELL) – a performance-based system for measuring, certifying, and monitoring features of buildings that impact the health and well-being of the people who live, work, and learn in them. Fulfilling the vision of IWBI Founder Paul Scialla, IWBI has a pioneering altruistic capitalism model that will address social responsibility and demonstrate a sustainable model for philanthropy. IWBI has committed to direct 51 percent of net profits, after taxes, generated by registration fees, certification fees and recertification fees received from real estate projects applying for WELL Certification toward charitable contributions and impact investment focused on health, wellness and the built environment. IWBI was established by Delos Living LLC in 2013 pursuant to a Clinton Global Initiative commitment to improve the way people live by developing spaces that enhance occupant health and quality of life by sharing the WELL Building Standard globally. www.wellcertified.com
