What is a green building certification?

A green building certification is indeed a recognition that a building meets specific sustainability and energy efficiency standards. This certification typically involves an evaluation of various aspects of the building's design, construction, and operation to ensure that it adheres to established criteria aiming at minimizing environmental impact. These standards might include energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor environmental quality, and the use of sustainable materials.

Green building certifications, such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) or BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method), provide a framework for assessing performance and promoting improvements in sustainability practices. Achieving certification demonstrates a commitment to environmentally friendly building practices, which can also lead to economic benefits such as lower operating costs and increased marketability.

The other options relate to different aspects of construction or building regulation but do not address the specific definition and significance of green building certification in the context of sustainability and energy efficiency.