Improving the sustainability of existing buildings is critical to forging a better built environment.
GBI’s Green Globes® for Existing Buildings (EB) is a comprehensive three-in-one benchmarking and certification program, evaluating the environmental sustainability, health and wellness, and resilience of individual buildings and portfolios.
Why Choose Green Globes
For Existing Buildings?
- Establish a baseline and guide for improvement.
- Assess opportunities for energy savings, reduce environmental impacts, and lower maintenance costs.
- Establish baselines by importing energy, water, emissions, and waste data to measure progress and compare performance.
- Compare Green Globes and utility consumption performance among portfolio properties.
Developed using applicable content from ANSI/GBI 02-2025: Assessment Protocol for Existing Buildings, Green Globes EB 2025 provides a comprehensive roadmap for practitioners who are implementing sustainability programs or who wish to expand existing sustainability programs.
Criteria within Green Globes EB 2025 are designed to evaluate performance for occupied buildings, identify opportunities for improvement, and compare performance over time through reassessment. Green Globes for Existing Buildings is ideally suited for portfolios, through the Performance Tracker for building energy, water, emissions, and waste, and features including questionnaire cloning and assessment comparison among buildings.
Green Globes for Existing Buildings Resources
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Green Globes for Existing Buildings Point Allocation
- Responsible Business Management: 107 points
- Site: 100 points
- Energy: 310 points
- Water: 185 points
- Materials: 93 points
- Indoor Environmental Quality: 205 points
Total Points: 1,000
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Eligibility Requirements
Because every project is unique, Green Globes doesn’t penalize projects for criteria that don’t apply to the building function, location, or unique requirements. Green Globes offers multiple pathways to achieve credit for several criteria, uses weighted criteria according to environmental impact, and allows for tiered and partial credit for criteria.
Eligible buildings must:
- Be designed for occupancy
- Have conditioned space
- Have been occupied longer than 18 months and/or more than 12 consecutive months utility data available
- Be at least 400 gross square feet in size
If you have a multifamily project that is pursuing financial incentive, please visit Green Globes Multifamily for EB.
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Assessment & Certification Process
The Green Globes for Existing Building assessment process includes one mandatory third-party assessment and is typically completed within three to five months.
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Existing Buildings Resources
- Green Globes EB 25 Program Overview
- Green Globes EB 25 Technical Reference Manual
- Green Globes EB 25 Advances & Updates
- Green Globes EB 25 Project Checklist
- Green Globes EB Estimated Work Hours
- Distinction in Health & Wellness for EB
- At-a-Glance Residential Care EB Minimum Requirements
- Residential Care EB Minimum Requirements Survey
Get Started with Green Globes
Provide us with your basic project information by creating an account and receive a quote for Green Globes third-party assessment and certification.
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What is Green Globes® for Existing Buildings?
GBI’s Green Globes® for Existing Buildings (EB) is a comprehensive three-in-one green building benchmarking and certification program, evaluating the environmental sustainability, health & wellness, and resilience of individual buildings and portfolios already in operation. -
How much does building certification cost?
The cost of building certifications varies depending on the program, project type, and building size. Create a free GBI account to receive a complimentary quote tailored to your specific project. -
How long does it take to complete a building certification program?
GBI estimates that its building certification programs take approximately 4–6 months for new construction projects, and 3–5 months for existing buildings, not including design and construction time.