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2011/SCSC/WKSP2/005 Session 1

Green Building Characteristics: Towards a Common Understanding of Terms and Definitions

Submitted by: ISO

Green Buildings and Green Growth: Approaches to Encouraging a Positive

Green Building Climate Singapore

12-13 September 2011

10/20/2011

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Session 1. Green Building Characteristics: Towards a Common Understanding of Terms and 

Definitions 

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR STANDARDIZATION (ISO) TERMINOLOGY

Jeffrey B Stone Ph DJeffrey B. Stone, Ph.D.

Chair USTAG to ISO/TC59/SC17

Green Buildings and Green Growth Approaches to Encouraging a Positive Green Building Climate

r1

Green?

• We are now living in a world in which i t l t h benvironmental aspects have become a 

concern in every thing that we do. 

– From recycling to fuel efficiency, we are now concerned with how our lifestyle choices affectsthe sustainability of our planet.

– “Green” marketing is everywhere.

Slide 1

r1 Add title of the conference and Session in the footer on the template master slide, as shown, so that it shows on all other slides.

Also the title of the session and complete ISO reference should be added to you slide Title, as shown.

rmcphee, 8/31/2011

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Green? 

• The terms “green” and “sustainability” are bi it Y th h Thubiquitous. You see them everywhere. The 

terms are used in almost any context and the terms are often used interchangeably.

• “Green marketing” is everywhere, incorporating a broad range of activities, p g g ,including advertising, production processes and packaging. 

r5

Green?

• But, what do we precisely mean by “green?”

• Does “green” and “sustainable” mean the same thing?

• And, what do we have to say about unjustified appropriations of environmental virtues –often called “greenwashing?”often called  greenwashing?

Slide 3

r5 Might look to show definitions of green building (ASTM only), sustainability (ASTM/ISO?) and sustainable development (ASTM/ISO?)rmcphee, 9/1/2011

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Green?

• A multitude of programs, codes and standards i t th t d fi t d l t “exist that define, promote and regulate “green 

development” or “sustainable development.” 

– Unfortunately, each of these differ in the use and definition of these key terms.

r3

Harmonization of Language

• Many have expressed concern with the multitude of programs codes and standards activitiesof programs, codes and standards activities related to green building and sustainable development. – ISO and ASTM have endeavored (but not yet completed efforts) to eliminate differences to terms and definitions to ensure universal application.

l d d h l– Implementing and adapting the common general concepts in a consistent and concise manner has been a challenge in light of sustainable building being a new and evolving domain. 

Slide 5

r3 Should show ISO documents first and ASTM as well???rmcphee, 9/1/2011

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Harmonization of Language

• Fair, effective and efficient trade demands agreement on the application of key conceptsagreement on the application of key concepts established through the use of preferred terms and definitions.

• The development and use of consensus standards that harmonize language relative to greenness 

/and/or sustainability, facilitates trade by preventing barriers resulting from unclear or confusing terminology. Such standards also constrain greenwashing. 

Harmonization of Language

• In the interest of common understanding, consistent word usage is sought to eliminate aconsistent word usage is sought to eliminate a major barrier to technical communication, and inadvertent barriers to trade.

• International standards writing organizations are striving to foster communication though development of consensus terminology standards related to sustainable development  of building and civil engineering works. 

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Harmonization of Language

• Standardization in terminology work had already been undertaken by several different committees for concepts related to sustainability and service life planning of construction works. 

– ISO 14050:2009 – Environmental management ‐ Vocabulary

– ISO 6707‐1: 2004 ‐ Building and civil engineering ‐‐Vocabulary ‐‐ Part 1: General terms; and

– ISO 6707‐2:1993 ‐ Building and civil engineering ‐‐Vocabulary ‐‐ Part 2: 

Harmonization of Language

• ISO/DTR  21932 ‐ Sustainability in building construction — Terminology– Reflects efforts to harmonize language across participating nations as well as the language and terminology evolving within CEN (European Committee for Standardization). 

– This Technical Report is the result of terminology work undertaken within ISO TC59  SC17 to establish consistent terminology for concepts related to the subject field of sustainability in building construction. 

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Harmonization of Language

• ISO/CD Guide 82 ‐ Guide for addressing sustainability in standards– ISO Guide 82 was prepared by an ad hoc Sustainability Guide Drafting y gGroup, which is using language developed within ISO/TC207 (ISO 14050) and ISO/TC59/SC17 to establish SC17’s language.

Harmonization of Language

• These standards were developed through an i t ti l t llinternational consensus process open to all nations and interests. 

– The United States actively participates in these standards writing activities to insure that the terms are universal and not centric to one h hhemisphere or interest.

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Harmonization of Language

• Unlike many countries, U.S. standardization efforts are not a function of governmentefforts are not a function of government. Rather, the process takes a bottom‐up approach allowing all stakeholders/interested parties to  identify standards needs and content.  – The US Standards Strategy recognizes there are– The US Standards Strategy recognizes there are multiple approaches to international standards.

r7

Harmonization of Language

• Some ASTM Technical Committees house the U.S. Technical Advisory Groups (TAGS) for ISO activities y p ( )because industry has indicated a need for a multiple path approach– Members of the ASTM committees and the members of the U.S. Technical Advisory Group to ISO/TC59 come from all walks of life reflecting broad viewpoints: governmental and nongovernmental organizations, including representatives of businesses and industries, 

d i i d f fi i iacademicians,  and not‐for‐profit associations.  – This is reflected in the U.S. position provided on ISO actions.

r8

Slide 13

r7 Presumably should also talk about how ISO approach does introduce some limtiations on expert participation, albeit inherently guaranteeing an international participation from multiple countries. rmcphee, 9/1/2011

Slide 14

r8 This is a good point to make as to hwo the harmonization efforts (both ways) can happen via the TAGsrmcphee, 9/1/2011

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Participation is Key!

• Efforts are made to harmonize terms across and between suites of international standards but inbetween suites of international standards, but in many cases harmonization does not occur.

– National, societal and private stakeholder interests influence the development of the standards. This is the reality!

Participation is Key!

• If the standards being developed are truly going to meet worldwide communication needsto meet worldwide communication needs, interested parties and nations across the entire globe need to join in and participate in the standards development process.

r9

Slide 16

r9 With this the last slide, it, like the ASTM presentation, may still leave the audience wanting in that there is little content talking specfically about the langauge and terms that have evolved within the domain of sustainable building.rmcphee, 9/1/2011