For Building Certification
Outside the U.S. and Canada

GBI’s Ascent Building Certification™ was made to guide your climb upwards, elevating every step of your journey toward sustainability, health & wellness, and resilience.

Available for projects in the EU, UK and Elsewhere outside the US and Canada.

Start Your Ascent™ Certification

Provide us with your basic project information by creating an account and receive a quote for your third-party assessment and certification. Available for projects in the EU, UK and elsewhere outside the US and Canada.

Get Started

What is Ascent™?

A Comprehensive Whole Building Certification

Ascent™ is a science-based, three-in-one whole building certification system that evaluates the environmental sustainability, health & wellness, and resilience of all types of commercial real estate.

Designed To Fit Your Unique Situation

Ascent™ certification is designed to allow building owners and managers to select which sustainability features best fit their building and occupants. Our personalized approach helps you achieve the most sustainable outcomes based on your building’s type, location, budget, and occupancy needs.

Build new construction and major renovation projects with the latest science, research, and alignments with technical advancements.

Improve the sustainability of existing buildings and portfolios to forge a better built environment.

Sustainability, Health & Wellness, and Resilience

Building owners and managers can pursue the sustainability features that best fit their occupants needs.

Track Your Progress Towards Certification

Transparent and user-friendly online software allows project teams to import, monitor, and compare performance for individual buildings and entire portfolios.
INTUITIVE
User-friendly software with simple navigation.
Collaborative
Invite contributors to work as an integrated project team.
Efficient
Clone responses for buildings across a portfolio or for recertification.
Robust
Import energy, water, waste, and emissions data for a complete performance tracking system.
Interactive
View dynamic scoring, access criteria-specific resources, and communicate with a GBI Assessor.

How To Certify With Ascent™

Getting started is free and easy
1. Create An Account
Sign Up Here
Signing up is fast and simple
2. Add Your Project
Gain access to the free trial questionnaire
3. Register Your Project
Gain full access to the questionnaire
4. Request a Quote
Our team prepare assessment services based on your unique project
5. Complete Your Assessment
Work with a GBI Project Manager and GBI Assessor to complete your assessment(s)
6. Certify!
Our team will provide your final Ascent™ rating, recommendations for improvement, and a GBI issued certificate

Start Your Ascent™ Certification

Provide us with your basic project information by creating an account and receive a quote for your third-party assessment and certification. Available for projects in the EU, UK and elsewhere outside the US and Canada.

Get Started
Why Certify With GBI?
Good for Business & the Planet
Ascent™-certified buildings are on the path to achieve lower energy and water bills, reduced emissions, minimized waste, and optimized health and wellness benefits for occupants. Incentives for building better with Ascent™ can include third-party offerings, tax-related deductions, or abatements. Certification often demonstrates compliance with local and federal requirements.

More Reasons To Certify

A Standard You Can Trust

GBI is committed to consensus-based criteria. Ascent™ criteria is built around and incorporates hundreds of other consensus documents from ASHRAE, ICC, and IAPMO just to name a few. GBI has been a trusted partner in the built environment for over 20 years.

A Streamlined Process

The assessment process mimics the design and construction schedule for new construction, to facilitate a seamless certification, and to prevent time-consuming and costly project changes. For existing buildings, Ascent™ serves as a benchmarking tool to evaluate current performance and guide improvement.

Industry Leading Support

Every Ascent™ certification comes with expert support from a GBI Project Manager and a dedicated GBI Assessor.

Our Assessors work closely with project teams and building owners in real time, fostering strong partnerships. With expertise in green building design, engineering, construction, and facility operations, they review documentation, answer questions, and conduct onsite assessments—offering personalized insights to elevate sustainability, health, and resilience in your project.

Market Incentives

Unlock valuable tax incentives and deductions for your project through Ascent™ certification. Learn more about which incentives align with your goals.

Calculate Incentives

What Certification Costs

Register to see exactly what your certification will cost. We’ll review your unique requirements and provide a detailed quote.

Get a free quote

Connect with our team

Our export team and global network of GBI Assessors can guide you through the best certification for you.

Get help

Ascent™ Resources

FAQ

People Also Ask

See More FAQs

  • What is Ascent™ Building Certification?

    Ascent™ is a science-based, whole building certification system that evaluates environmental sustainability, health & wellness, and resilience of commercial real estate outside the U.S. and Canada. It provides building owners, portfolio managers, and project teams with a clear, structured pathway to internationally recognized, third-party-assessed building certification.

  • What types of certifications does Ascent™ offer?

    Ascent™ building certification offers four pathways based on project type: New Construction, Existing Buildings, Sustainable Interiors, and Core & Shell—each designed for commercial buildings outside the U.S. and Canada. This range of options makes Ascent™ a flexible building certification choice for owners and portfolio managers with diverse international holdings.

  • Why would someone choose Ascent™ for building certification?

    Ascent™ is the rigorous yet flexible choice for any commercial building project outside the U.S. and Canada that needs a science-based, internationally recognized building certification. It supports compliance with local laws and international sustainability policies, while also providing recognition for buildings that choose to go above and beyond minimum requirements.

Create an account and provide your basic project information to receive a quote.

Available for projects in the EU, UK and elsewhere outside the US and Canada.

Start Your Assessment