Green Globes Distinction in Health & Wellness

A distinction for design, construction, and facility operations of buildings pursuing
GBI’s Green Globes® New Construction (NC) or Existing Buildings (EB) certification.

Americans spend approximately 90% of their time indoors, which emphasizes the important opportunity of buildings to positively impact human health. By applying science- and consensus-based best practices related to occupant health and well-being, GBI’s Green Globes Distinction in Health & Wellness (H&W) recognizes those opportunities that can result in a healthier built environment for all.

Green Globes certification at the One, Two, Three, or Four Green Globes level, combined with earning a “Distinction” supports building owners, CFOs, CSOs, and leasing / human resources teams by validating practices that directly support achievement of social objectives within ESG reporting frameworks.

Supporting ESG Objectives

Green Globes certification, as a multi-attribute system, qualifies for full points within GRESB under building certifications.

Green Globes certification can help companies pursuing B Corp certification as Green Globes is an approved green building certification program through B Labs.

Green Globes certification supports social ESG objectives within a portfolio’s ESG implementation plan.

Green Globes Distinction in Health & Wellness can also be part of a dual certification effort with CfAD’s Fitwel, IWBI’s various WELL recognition opportunities, or UL’s Verified Healthy Building mark.

Minimum Requirements for Green Globes Distinction in Health & Wellness

Green Globes Distinction in Health & Wellness Objectives

• Enhancing occupant comfort through thermal and acoustic considerations and environmental controls.
• Minimizing potential for mold and dust to promote respiratory health.
• Improving indoor air quality with ventilation best practices. 
• Providing access to clean water and nutritious food. 
• Supporting positive mental health with daylighting and external views. 
• Mitigating risks through practices that support safety, security, cleaning, and disinfection. 
• Maintaining systems to ensure water quality for all uses. 
• Encouraging site planning and access for physical activity, such as walking and biking. 
• Minimizing potential of chemical exposures through source control and purposeful material evaluation and selection. 

Green Globes Distinction in Health & Wellness Building-level Goals

•  Occupant comfort 
•  IAQ, ventilation, thermal comfort, and moisture 
•  Water quality 
•  Lighting 
•  Acoustical comfort 
•  Safety 
•  Pest and dust management 
•  Healthy practices 

Support for Project Teams

Project teams pursuing Green Globes Distinction in Health & Wellness receive an Excel checklist with all Minimum Requirements plus Supporting Criteria to keep tally. The companion Green Globes EB 2021 and Green Globes NC 21 Technical Manuals provide detailed assessment guidance, including industry standards, references, and best practices to guide project teams to achieve the listed criteria. As with all Green Globes projects, the Client Services team fields process and technical queries to support project teams throughout the assessment and certification process. Third-party Green Globes Assessors also recommend criteria for project teams towards operations beyond the Distinction.

Health & Wellness Resources