1. What are green building certifications?
Green building certifications are structured evaluation systems designed to measure how well a building meets sustainability criteria. They assess environmental performance, resource efficiency, occupant health, and operational effectiveness.

2. Objectives of green building certifications
Green building certification systems aim to:
- Standardize sustainability assessment
- Encourage sustainable design and construction practices
- Improve transparency and comparability between projects
- Drive continuous improvement within the construction industry

3. Common green building certification systems
Several certification systems are widely applied globally and regionally:

- LEED: A globally recognized system focusing on energy, water, materials, indoor environmental quality, and project management.

- LOTUS: A certification system adapted to Vietnam’s climate and construction context.

- Green Mark: Developed in Singapore, emphasizing energy efficiency and building operation.

- Green Star: Australia’s green building rating system, focusing on overall performance and social–environmental impact.

4. Are green building certifications mandatory?
In most cases, green building certifications are voluntary. However, many developers adopt them to guide design decisions, enhance project credibility, and manage long-term performance.

5. Certification versus the essence of green buildings
Certification alone does not guarantee sustainability if criteria are applied superficially. Conversely, a building without certification can still embody green principles if sustainability is integrated consistently and meaningfully.

6. Relationship between certification and green building criteria
Certification systems are built upon core green building criteria such as energy, water, materials, indoor environment, and lifecycle performance. Certification is therefore a measurement tool not the ultimate goal.

7. Relevance for Vietnam’s construction sector
In Vietnam, green building certifications help standardize sustainable practices, raise market awareness, and support a structured transition toward sustainable construction.

8. BUMATECH’s perspective
BUMATECH views green building certifications as valuable reference frameworks that support quality and technical standards, while emphasizing practical application of core sustainability principles.

9. Conclusion
Green building certifications provide structured guidance and assessment, but true sustainability depends on mindset and real-world implementation rather than certification labels alone.