In order to evaluate the environmental impact of buildings and other aspects of sustainable construction, reliable, transparent and standardized information-based methods are needed. It is essential to look at the building as a whole and over its entire life cycle.
Environmental classifications of buildings and construction projects help investors, authorities and facility users to evaluate and compare the sustainability of construction. Standardized information is used in the classifications.
With the help of classifications, the performance of the building can be shown transparently and consistently, taking into account the life cycle requirements and the operating environment.
Classification systems for sustainable construction that are widely used in Finland:
- RTS-environmental classification is intended for customers of construction projects who want to build in an environmentally responsible manner using the environmental classification system developed for Finnish conditions.
- BREEAM is a rating system for eco-efficient properties, which is backed by an English real estate research organization. The system guides planning, construction and use and examines environmental impacts in terms of management, energy and water consumption, materials, land use and traffic, for example. Different factors are given a score, based on which the building can be graded as passed, good, very good or excellent.
- LEED is a US, internationally comparable certification system for environmentally efficient properties. LEED certification granted by the US Green Building Council is based on an independent, third-party assessment of the environmental characteristics of the premises, building or project. Certification requires meeting certain minimum requirements. They are related, among other things, to the sustainability of the building's location and the consumption of energy, water and materials during its entire life cycle.
The world also has plenty of local or regional classification systems such as DGNB Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen and HQE Haute Qualité Environnementale.
Other metrics to assess sustainability
In addition to comprehensive classification systems, there are evaluation tools that focus on individual areas, such as the energy certificate of buildings in the EU and indoor air classification or the condition certificate of a housing association in Finland.
Under the coordination of the Finnish Green Building Council, building life cycle meters have been created that follow the principles of European standards and are suitable for the building's design and operation phase. They can be used to control the building's energy consumption, climate effects, economy and users' well-being through the conditions of the indoor environment.
In the criteria of the Nordic eco-label or Joutsenmark, they also take into account the entire life cycle of the end product, such as a residential building or a daycare center, from raw materials, production and use to recycling and dismantling. Requirements are set for energy consumption, reduction of construction waste, recycling, comfort and measures that promote biodiversity.
The European rules of the game for environmental impact assessment
The European Commission requires that energy and material efficiency is ensured in construction and that the solutions are long-lasting and sustainable. Verification of all this requires transparent assessment and calculation methods.
For example, the EU construction product regulation contains requirements to produce information on the environmental effects of the construction product. A new basic requirement for the sustainable use of natural resources is also being added to the regulation. The durability and recyclability of construction products as well as the use of environmentally friendly raw materials and the utilization of industrial by-products must be taken into account. The same is also required by the Finnish Waste Act, which has been reformed based on the EU waste directive.
The classification system for sustainable finance, the EU taxonomy, also sets requirements in its environmental goals for, among other things, energy efficiency and various aspects of the circular economy.
In addition to environmental aspects, European rules are also drawn up for the assessment of construction safety, health and comfort, as well as life cycle costs.