Dictionary

Terms and definitions in sustainable construction

30 terms

Adaptive Reuse

The process of repurposing an existing building for a use other than which it was originally designed, often saving significant embodied carbon.

BIM (Building Information Modeling)

A digital representation of the physical and functional characteristics of a facility, often used to simulate energy performance.

Biophilic Design

An architectural approach that seeks to connect building occupants more closely to nature through the use of natural light, ventilation, and greenery.

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method)

A science-based suite of validation and certification systems for a sustainable built environment, originating in the UK.

Brown Discount

The reduction in a property’s value or liquidity due to poor energy performance or weak ESG credentials.

Building Envelope

The physical separator between the conditioned and unconditioned environment of a building, including the walls, roof, and windows.

Carbon Accounting

The process of measuring the amount of carbon dioxide equivalents emitted by a building or portfolio over time.

Circular Economy

A model of production and consumption that involves reusing, repairing, and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible.

Climate Risk Assessment

A structured evaluation of how climate-related hazards (like floods or heatwaves) may affect a property's performance and value.

CRREM (Carbon Risk Real Estate Monitor)

A tool that helps the real estate industry establish pathways for assets to align with Paris Agreement carbon reduction targets.

Decarbonization

The process of reducing or eliminating the carbon dioxide emissions from a building's energy sources and construction materials.

DGNB System

A German sustainability certification that takes a holistic approach, considering economic, sociocultural, and functional quality alongside environmental factors.

Embodied Carbon

Greenhouse gas emissions associated with the manufacturing, transportation, installation, and disposal of building materials.

ENERGY STAR

A program run by the U.S. EPA that certifies buildings and products that meet or exceed specific energy efficiency markers.

ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance)

A framework used by investors to evaluate a company's impact on the world and its sustainability performance.

Fitwel

A certification system that optimizes buildings to support health, focusing on evidence-based design and operational strategies.

Green Lease

A rental agreement where tenants and landlords commit to specific environmental goals, such as energy conservation and waste reduction.

Green Premium

The additional cost of implementing sustainable strategies or materials compared to traditional, non-sustainable methods.

GRESB (Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark)

An investor-driven organization that provides standardized and validated ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) data to financial markets.

Greywater

Gently used water from sinks, showers, and baths that can be recycled for uses like toilet flushing or irrigation.

LCA (Life Cycle Assessment)

A methodology for assessing environmental impacts associated with all the stages of a building’s life (cradle-to-grave).

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)

The most widely used green building rating system in the world, providing a framework for healthy, efficient, and cost-saving green buildings.

Living Building Challenge

Regarded as the world's most rigorous proven performance standard for buildings; they must be regenerative and give back more to the environment than they take.

Net Zero Carbon

A state in which the greenhouse gas emissions associated with a building's product and construction are reduced to a minimum and offset.

Operational Carbon

The amount of carbon emitted during the operational phase of a building (heating, cooling, lighting, etc.).

Passive House (Passivhaus)

A rigorous, voluntary standard for energy efficiency in a building, which reduces the building's ecological footprint and requires very little energy for heating or cooling.

Scope 1, 2, & 3 Emissions

A way of categorizing emissions: Scope 1 (Direct), Scope 2 (Indirect energy), and Scope 3 (All other indirect value chain emissions).

Stranded Assets

Properties that risk losing value or becoming obsolete because they no longer meet future energy efficiency standards or climate regulations.

WELL Building Standard

A performance-based system for measuring, certifying, and monitoring features of the built environment that impact human health and well-being.

WiredScore

A global rating scheme that certifies the digital connectivity and smart technology of real estate assets.