Qualitative Analysis of Sustainability Certification Systems Based on ISO 21929-1

Abstract

Sustainability certification systems are parameters used to measure the extent to which the building meets the necessary sustainable requirements. Currently, there are several types of sustainability certificates, in addition to regulatory standards. Therefore, this work sought to analyze the most influential sustainability certificate systems in the market, using the qualitative analysis of content created by Bardin and based on ISO 21929-1, with fourteen aspects, as a parameter for comparison, the focus of the study was adapted to this method to have a better understanding of the behavior of these systems. Some conditions were imposed to narrow down the number of certification systems, four systems were selected to be analyzed. After the qualitative analysis, it was possible to identify that DGNB (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen) is the only one that addressed all the fourteen aspects brought by ISO 21929-1, HQE (Haute Qualité Environnementale) and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) addressed fewer aspects, HQE highly addresses them. However, LEED has a more detailed and clear approach to the aspect related to the Internal conditions and air quality. Lastly, BREEAM addresses thirteen of the fourteen aspects of ISO 21929-1, and most of its content addressed is from the environmental area.