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Jerry, cost estimates are likely to change on a project-by-project basis, and Robert didn't suggest that every project would shake out the same way. Looking forward to seeing the study! When will it be out?

Jerry,

I never said that you could consult a LEED project through certification for less than $10,000. I said 1) that the hard costs (fees) were not comparable, and that the differential between consulting costs for a GG project and a LEED project (for the most minimum amount of effort) was about $10k. Our projected costs were not expressed - just the difference in costs.

I do not disagree that there certainly are cases where the difference may be higher depending on project conditions and the goals that are targeted, but what I am saying is that the constant statement and primary argument that Green Globes is cheaper is only true some of the time. This is not a technical assessment of either system, just an assessment of a misguided argument to sell it that you inherited.

I speak for many in that we look forward to seeing how you can bring GG forward and have high hopes - just stop using cost as an argument.

Jerry,

I recently did an internal comparison of two projects, one that went through the Green Globes process and another that went through LEED. The common factor between two projects was scope, size, budget, project type and I personally lead the documentation process. I found the upfront costs (regirstation and certification) to be more costly in Green Globes than LEED. However, the Green Globes process and timeline saved the Owner and project team in the long-run. Perhaps Green Globes focuses on other aspects than cost. I think the on-site walk with the Owner and Project Team is extremely beneficial to all parties involved.

As both a GGP and LEED AP BD+C, I personally find more value in the Green Globes system. Although, I do support both systems and believe in the 3rd party verification process. Best of luck in your new position.

I thought this was a well-written and well-balanced article, Paula, thanks very much.

Although I didn't quite pick myself up off the floor when I read about Jerry taking over leadership of GBI a couple of days ago as Lloyd Alter did, I do have to say my jaw almost hit the floor.

As an active LEED practitioner, it is difficult to say that many of the comments made about the costs, slowness, difficulty in getting someone to answer the telephone at USGBC or GBCI and amount of paperwork associated with obtaining LEED certification do not exist.

Hopefully this will help to make some additional much-needed changes within all three organizations - GBI, USGBC and GBCI.
As they say in France, "Vive la difference!" And as we say in the good old USA, "Hurray for competition!" At least I hope we still say that...

I support variety in the market place and competition is healthy.
My personal concern (possibly because of my ignorance) is the funding and influence of chemical companies and associations. I understand the BOD is going to become more balanced and diverse but I would like to understand the funding related to those interests and - if that still exists- what is the future of that model? I know that is a major concern among many.
The bars are being raised across the industry, whether its towards NZE, social justice or health and eliminating toxicity - the more ships rowing in the direction of the future we all want, the better.

“LEED is really out of touch with today’s realities,” he argued, citing requirements he views as outdated due to regulatory changes—such as sedimentation control, ... "

Jerry, what do you feel is outdated in regards erosion and sediment control? LEED requires that all projects meet or exceed the 2012 EPA Construction General Permit requirements.

Excellent article. I agree with Robert -- people are always arguing that Green Globes is cheaper, but when you look at the hard costs/fees it is more expensive. (And I understand the argument that soft costs may end up being lower -- I also look forward to that comparison)

Let’s keep things simple for an apples/apples comparison and assume New Construction and 100,000 SF.

Here is the pricing for LEED: http://www.gbci.org/utility-nav/Fees.aspx

Here is the pricing for Green Globes: http://www.thegbi.org/assets/pdfs/Green-Globes-NC-Price-List.pdf

So for LEED, we have:
$900 Registration + $4,500 Combined Review (0.045 $/sf X 100,000 sf) = $5,400 total minimum

And for Green Globes we have:
$1,000 Software + $9,500 Combined Certification + $1,500 GBI Assessor travel expenses = $12,000 total minimum

Jerry, when you say, "Most rating systems around the world have dispensed with prerequisites, as it turns out," can you be more specific?Notable rating systems that include prerequisites are BREEAM (to which Green Globe can trace some lineage, I believe), HQE (France), Pearl Estidama (Abu Dhabi), CASBEE (Japan), and Green Star (Australia). Notable rating systems that do not are DGNB (Germany) and Green Globes.There are a few other reasonably prominent systems that I'd like to check with, but so far that's quite different than your assessment.Update: This comment was modified to move Green Star to the "includes" prereqs list, after further confirmation.

Jerry, I completed a thorough analysis of green rating systems around the world in response to your comment that "most rating systems around the world have dispensed with prerequisites."I checked 19 major green building rating systems used around the world—from Living Building Challenge to Miljöbyggnad in Sweden—and found that 13 (including LEED) have prerequisites, while 6 have the kind of category achievement thresholds that Green Globes features.With respect to the datedness of prerequisites, in my analysis, 5 of the 12 LEED v4 prereqs represent common market practice in the U.S., while 7 of the 12 are a meaningful step up over common practice.To its credit, Green Globes allows easier entry for projects that don't want to worry about prereqs, but I wouldn't confuse that with offering stronger performance.