BOMA BEST AND LEED® CERTIFICATIONS
As environmental responsibility and rising energy costs become greater priorities, sustainability has become an important consideration for both businesses and the public. In Canada, two leading certifications recognize buildings for sustainable design, construction, and ongoing operations:
- BOMA BEST, administered by the Building Owners and Managers Association of Canada (BOMA Canada); and
- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®), administered by the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC).
As two of Canada's leading sustainability and environmental stewardship certifications, BOMA BEST and LEED share several areas of focus, including energy, water, and waste management performance. Both also require buildings to meet minimum standards for certification, known as BEST Practices in BOMA BEST and Prerequisites in LEED.
Currently, BOMA BEST offers five certification levels whereas LEED offers four certification levels. CERTIFICATION LEVELS are as follows:
BOMA BEST
Baseline is awarded to buildings that have met the Baseline Practices and have achieved between 0% and 29% on the Questionnaire.
Bronze is awarded to buildings that have met the Baseline Practices and have achieved between 30% and 59% on the Questionnaire.
Silver is awarded to buildings that have met the Baseline Practices and have achieved between 60 and 79% on the Questionnaire.
Gold is awarded to buildings that have met the Baseline Practices and have achieved between 80 and 89% on the Questionnaire.
Platinum is awarded to buildings that have met the Baseline Practices and have achieved between 90 and 100% on the Questionnaire.
LEED
Certified is awarded to building that have met all prerequisites in the rating system and earned between 40 and 49 points.
Silver is awarded to building that have met all prerequisites in the rating system and earned between 50 and 59 points.
Gold is awarded to building that have met all prerequisites in the rating system and earned between 60 and 79 points.
Platinum is awarded to building that have met all prerequisites in the rating system and earned over 80 points.
FOCUS AREAS
Both programs assess a facility not just on its usage of resources but also on its ongoing maintenance and operations and ultimately, how they may impact the environment. Focus areas of the two programs are similar:
BOMA BEST focus
Energy and Carbon
Accessibility and Wellness
Water
Custodial and Waste
Indoor Air Quality and Hazards
Resilience and Site
LEED focus
Sustainable Sites
Material and Resources
Location and Transportation
Water Efficiency
Energy and Atmosphere
Innovation
Indoor Environmental Quality