When I first sat down with Jennifer Clarke, a sustainability consultant with over a decade of experience in green building certifications, I was intrigued by how passionately she spoke about the various standards that shape the way we think about energy efficiency and sustainability. Our conversation revolved around the certifications like ENERGY STAR, BREEAM, and WELL, and how each of these is committed to specific principles without necessarily offering advice, recommendations, or guarantees of future results.
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Jennifer’s experience in the field provided a unique lens through which to understand these certifications. “Each of these certifications serves a different purpose and targets different aspects of sustainability,” she began, her enthusiasm evident. “For instance, ENERGY STAR is primarily focused on energy efficiency, while BREEAM and WELL have broader scopes.”
ENERGY STAR, a certification familiar to many, is known for its role in promoting energy-efficient products and practices. “What a lot of people don’t realise,” Jennifer explained, “is that ENERGY STAR goes beyond just appliances and electronics. It also encompasses buildings and industrial plants. It’s all about reducing energy consumption without compromising on performance.”
Jennifer highlighted an interesting aspect of the ENERGY STAR certification—it doesn’t come with advice or recommendations. “The certification is like a badge of honour. It tells consumers and businesses that a product or building meets high energy efficiency standards. But it stops there. There’s no follow-up advice or guarantee of future results. It’s up to the users to maintain those standards.”
Moving on to BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method), Jennifer’s eyes lit up. “BREEAM is a bit more comprehensive. It assesses the environmental performance of buildings and infrastructure projects across a wide range of categories, including energy, water use, and materials. It’s been around since 1990, so it has a long history and a robust framework.”
Despite its thoroughness, BREEAM, like ENERGY STAR, is not in the business of offering advice or guarantees. “BREEAM provides a score that reflects the sustainability of a building or project at a specific point in time. It’s a snapshot, not a crystal ball. The goal is to encourage better practices, but it’s up to the developers and owners to keep up with those standards.”
Perhaps the most intriguing of the certifications we discussed was the WELL Building Standard. WELL focuses on the health and wellbeing of the people within the buildings. “WELL is unique because it goes beyond the physical aspects of a building. It looks at how the environment affects humans—things like air quality, lighting, and even mental health considerations.”
Jennifer noted that WELL, like the other certifications, doesn’t provide ongoing advice or guarantee outcomes. “WELL sets the stage for a healthier environment, but it’s the occupants and building managers who need to follow through. It’s about creating a space that supports wellbeing, but the effort to maintain that space is continuous.”
Throughout our conversation, Jennifer emphasised a key point: the role of these certifications is to set standards and raise awareness, not to provide a roadmap for the future. “These certifications are crucial because they set a benchmark. They tell you what’s possible and what to strive for. But they’re not a substitute for ongoing commitment and effort.”
As we wrapped up our discussion, I asked Jennifer about the role of companies like AEP Energy in this landscape. “AEP Energy and similar companies play an essential role by providing the energy solutions that help buildings and products meet these certifications. They supply the green energy that powers these efficiencies. But again, they’re not offering guarantees. It’s a partnership where everyone has a role to play.”
Jennifer’s insights left me with a deeper understanding of the complexities and responsibilities involved in sustainability certifications. These standards are vital in driving progress and encouraging better practices, but they are not a panacea. The real work begins once the certification is achieved, and it requires a collective effort from all stakeholders involved.
In a world increasingly focused on sustainability, understanding the nuances of these certifications helps us appreciate the ongoing efforts required to maintain and improve our standards of living. Jennifer Clarke’s expertise provided a valuable perspective on the importance of these certifications and the collaborative effort needed to uphold them.
By Emily Thompson
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