Professional accreditations for sustainability are growing in popularity - we look at the most well-established to help you understand the options.
By Making Moves London
September 10, 2026
A sustainability accreditation offers a framework for measuring and improving a building’s environmental performance throughout its entire lifecycle and helps your property align with modern environmental goals and compliance expectations.
There are many different schemes tailored to different building types and priorities, so to help prevent any confusion, we’ve created this handy guide to provide a practical overview of the key accreditation systems available and what they mean for your business.
Sustainability accreditations are third-party verified certifications that evaluate how environmentally responsible and resource-efficient a building is, not only now, but throughout its lifecycle.
Sustainable building certification is awarded based on a building’s performance metrics, including how efficiently it uses energy, its level of water conservation, how much carbon is emitted, how the building handles waste management, as well as assessing the overall wellbeing of its occupants.
Sustainability accreditations offer a wide range of strategic advantages for building owners, occupiers and developers beyond environmental impact. Here are some of the key benefits:
Buildings awarded sustainable building certification often experience significant reductions in energy and water expenses, especially when sustainable office fit-outs are planned from the start. For example, LEED-certified commercial buildings have reported operating expenses that are approximately 7.43% lower than their non-certified counterparts.
Sustainable certified buildings tend to command higher market prices. BREEAM-certified buildings boast a 20.6% higher capital value on average, while a ‘single-step’ improvement in EPC rating produces a 3.7% uplift. Globally, LEED-certified assets also outperform, achieving a 21.4% premium per square foot compared to non-certified buildings.
Your property will be deemed more attractive to modern occupiers if it holds a sustainability certification. In major markets like London and Paris, research shows that green-certified office spaces have seen rental premiums of 10% or more, with demand outpacing supply by at least 50%. BREEAM-certified buildings have also been shown to achieve 11.6% higher rents on average, while an improvement in EPC rating can yield a 4.2% rental uplift.
As environmental regulations become more stringent, green certifications help ensure compliance. Buildings account for 37% of global CO₂ emissions, yet over half the world lacks mandatory energy efficiency standards for new constructions. Achieving certification positions properties ahead of regulatory changes.
Sustainability certifications can also boost Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance metrics. A survey conducted by CBRE revealed that 71% of investors and 58% of occupiers consider sustainable building certification programs crucial for benchmarking building performance.
Sustainable building certifications like WELL focus on occupant health. Recent studies have shown that WELL-certified buildings can lead to a 30% increase in occupant satisfaction and a 26% boost in perceived well-being.
Financial incentives have started being issued to green-certified buildings. For example, in India, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has decided that buildings certified by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) can receive property tax rebates of up to 20%, depending on the certification level achieved.
The biggest and most widely recognised sustainable building certification systems are BREEAM, LEED, WELL, DGNB and LBC. These systems aim to assess and improve the environmental performance of buildings. However, not all of these systems are the same in their criteria and methodologies.
The Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method, also known as BREEAM, is a UK-developed sustainable building certification scheme used to assess the environmental impact of buildings across categories such as energy use, water efficiency, pollution, materials and more.
Depending on the percentage points achieved by a building, BREEAM awards various certification levels ranging from “Pass” through to “Outstanding”. It’s primarily used across the UK and Europe, but has also been adapted for international use, being tailored to local regulations.
Organisations in the UK or Europe seeking a comprehensive, locally relevant sustainability assessment.
Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, originated in the United States but is a globally recognised accreditation with a strong presence in North America, Europe, Asia and more.
Similar to BREEAM, it focuses on energy and water efficiency, materials, sustainable site selection and indoor environmental quality. LEED levels of certification range from “Certified” to “Platinum” based on a points system.
Global businesses or projects based in the United States of America aiming for a widely recognised international green standard.
The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) developed ‘The WELL Building Standard’, which focuses on enhancing human health and well-being within the built environment. It evaluates buildings based on 10 core concepts: air, water, nourishment, light, movement, thermal comfort, sound, materials, mind and community. WELL is applicable to various building types and emphasises occupant health and comfort.
Workplaces, offices and developments focused on employee health, wellness and productivity.
Originating from Germany, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen (DGNB) certification, offers a holistic approach to sustainability by assessing environmental, economic, sociocultural and functional aspects of buildings. It evaluates factors such as life cycle costs, resource efficiency and user comfort, providing a comprehensive sustainability profile.
European developers and investors seeking a holistic, lifecycle-focused sustainable building certification that is rooted in performance and economic viability.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), created a program called ‘ENERGY STAR’, and certifies buildings that perform in the top 25% for energy efficiency compared to similar facilities nationwide. It focuses on energy performance, offering a straightforward certification process based on verified energy data.
Mainly U.S.-based building owners and operators seeking a straightforward, performance-based energy efficiency benchmark.
The Living Building Challenge (LBC), administered by the International Living Future Institute, evaluates buildings across seven performance areas, known as “Petals”. These are Place, Water, Energy, Health & Happiness, Materials, Equity and Beauty. LBC is one of the most rigorous performance standards that encourages regenerative design, wanting buildings to operate as cleanly and efficiently as nature’s architecture.
LBC is suited for highly ambitious, values-driven projects aiming to go beyond sustainability to create buildings that give back more than they take.
Fitwel is a U.S.-based certification focused on promoting health and wellbeing in building design and operations. Ideal for workplaces and multi-use developments.
Green Globes is a flexible, cost-effective certification for sustainable building practices in North America, which are best suited to small and mid-sized commercial projects.
The National Building Standard assesses the sustainability of UK residential developments, making it ideal for housebuilders and housing associations.
Green Star is Australia’s leading sustainability rating system for buildings and communities, ideal for developers and planners across the built environment sector.
Sustainable building certifications have evolved from niche considerations to mainstream priorities in the construction and real estate sectors. This shift is driven by growing environmental concerns, tighter regulations, and increasing demand from investors and occupants for energy-efficient, low-impact buildings.
Recent data supports this trend. LEED certifications have now reportedly expanded to over 195,000 buildings across 186 countries, reflecting widespread international commitment to sustainable building practices. In the United States, the National Green Building Standard (NGBS) Green program certified over 88,000 homes in 2023 alone, marking its strongest year yet. Meanwhile, in Australia, the Green Building Council of Australia reported a record 1,084 Green Star certifications in the 2023–24 financial year, bringing the national total to over 4,500 certifications.
Choosing the right sustainable building certification can boost your organisation’s credibility and environmental impact but there are a few factors to be aware of during the process:
Don’t chase multiple accreditations just for prestige. Focus on one that aligns with your organisation’s values, operations and sustainability goals to avoid wasted time and effort.
Ongoing paperwork and reporting can drain resources, so make sure you have a team in place to handle the demands that come with the process of gaining certifications.
Making meaningful environmental and/or social improvements isn’t just a box ticking exercise. Ensure you choose an accreditation that encourages real change.
Many top-tier certifications involve in-depth assessments and audits. Be prepared for this and ensure your internal processes can withstand scrutiny.
A dedicated project manager or sustainability team is essential to drive progress, track requirements and liaise with the certifying body throughout the process.
Switching mid-way through an accreditation process can be costly and undermine internal engagement, so make sure to take the time to evaluate and commit to the right accreditation from the beginning.
Some measures can lead to unintended consequences such as dimly lit or overly cold spaces. Factor in occupant comfort when implementing changes.
We hope this guide has helped you make sense of the complex and often confusing world of sustainable building accreditations. With so many options available, it can be difficult to know what the right fit is for your building, your business and your long-term goals.
If you’re still unsure, Making Moves is here to help. Our team can guide you through the entire process — from selecting the most suitable accreditation to managing the steps needed to achieve it. Whether you’re aiming to improve ESG performance, cut costs, attract tenants, or future-proof your property, we’ll help you make the right moves toward meaningful sustainability.
