As environmental performance and user well-being take center stage in modern architecture, certifications such as BREEAM, LEED, and HQE have become essential benchmarks for developers, specifiers, and building professionals. And while insulation and materials often get the spotlight, lighting plays a critical role in achieving certification goals.

Lighting and Green Building Certifications.

Understanding Key Certifications

BREEAM is one of the world’s leading sustainability assessment methods. Lighting contributes to :

• Hea 01 – Visual comfort

• Ene 01 – Reduction of energy use and CO₂ emissions

• Man 01 – Responsible procurement and commissioning

BREEAM :

LEED recognizes best-in-class building strategies. Relevant lighting contributions :

• EA Credit – Optimize energy performance

• IEQ Credit – Quality lighting and glare control

• MR Credit – Responsible material sourcing

LEED :

WELL Certification :

Dedicated to occupant well-being, WELL includes detailed standards for circadian lighting, flicker, and user control. Lighting is assessed in :

• Feature 53 – Visual lighting design

• Feature 54 – Circadian lighting

• Feature 58 – Glare control

(Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method UK & international)

(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – USA & global)

Lighting directly impacts energy consumption, visual comfort, and user well-being—key parameters for any green building certification.

Lighting.

The main conformity levers.

• Smart controls with presence and daylight detection

“Good lighting enhances comfort and sustainability. it’s a certification ally.”

• High-efficiency LED luminaires (efficacy > 120 lm/W)

• Adjustable color temperatures (e.g., tunable white systems)

• Glare control for improved visual comfort (UGR ≤ 19)

• Color rendering index (CRI ≥ 80) for quality perception

• Low-maintenance, long-life products

A Key Player in Sustainable Building Strategies.

It also influences maintenance costs and the environmental footprint over a building’s life cycle.

Sustainable Lighting = High-Value Projects

• Boost user comfort and health,

• Enhance project environmental score,

• Increase building asset value,

• Support ESG and CSR strategies.

1. Presence detectors in corridors and stairwells reduce consumption during low-traffic periods.

2. Daylight harvesting adjusts output according to natural light levels in offices or atriums.

3. Tunable white luminaires in educational spaces align lighting to circadian rhythms.

4. IP-rated and IK-certified luminaires for long-term durability and environmental compliance.

Practical Examples :

Choosing the right lighting solutions for green certifications offers more than energy savings :

Resistance & Safety

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