EDGE is a tool to estimate the resource use of buildings already during the planning phase and awards projects that save resources. The cloud-based platform has a sophisticated set of city-based climate and cost data, consumption patterns and algorithms for predicting the most accurate performance results. On this basis, the tool calculates additional costs to build green and how long it takes to earn back the money through operational savings. With EDGE, the IFC aims to deliver a solution to prove the business case for building green and unlock financial investment. Based on the performance, buildings can receive a certification.

The DGNB System for Buildings is a planning and optimization tool for sustainable buildings. The tool evaluates the environmental, economic, sociocultural / functional, technical and process quality of projects. There are different types of certifications available across the life cycle of buildings: (1) DNGB pre-certification for new constructions, (2) DNGB certificate for new constructions, (3) DNGB certificate for buildings in use (plus a recertification option), (4) DNBG certificate for existing buildings, (5) DNGB certificate for renovated buildings and (6) DNGB certificate for dismantling. Assessments are undertaken by independent, DNGB-trained auditors. DNGB undertakes a final conformity check before the certification is awarded.

The Comprehensive Assessment System for Built Environment Efficiency (CASBEE) helps to understand sustainability conditions of cities across environmental, social and economic aspects. It measures the sustainability of buildings across diverse quality criteria against the environmental load defined as CO2 emissions per capita per year. The resulting sustainability qualification supports the development of effective sustainability measures. The CASBEE tool family for building scale offers a broad range of assessments for single buildings, including new constructions (CASBEE-NC), existing buildings (CASBEE-EB), renovation (CASBEE-RN) and temporary construction (CASBEE-TC), among others.

BREEAM Buildings Technical Standard is a sustainability assessment method for the building sector with individual standards for (1) New Constructions, (2) In-Use Buildings and (3) Refurbishments. The tool assesses the environmental, social and economic sustainability performance of buildings, with the aim to enhance buildings’ economic and social value whilst mitigating environmental impacts and enhancing user satisfaction. After the assessment, an independent third-party verification takes place and successful projects receive certification. A pre-approval version for planning processes is available.

BEAM Plus Buildings supports the reduction of environmental impacts of new buildings of any type (residential, commercial and industrial), while at the same time improving environmental quality and user satisfaction. The assessment can also be used when planning for a major refurbishment or alteration, including wholesale or partial conversion. The performance of buildings is rated with a point scoring that can result in a certification. A provisional assessment version and a version for existing building (BEAM Plus Existing Buildings V2.0), including a comprehensive and a selective scheme option for individual adjustments, are available.

The Comprehensive Assessment System for Built Environment Efficiency (CASBEE) for Cities helps to understand sustainability conditions of cities across environmental, social and economic aspects. It measures the sustainability of cities according to quality criteria against the environmental load of the city defined as CO2 emissions per capita per year. The resulting sustainability qualification supports cities in the development of effective sustainability measures. The CASBEE for Urban Development (CASBEE-UD) tool is a standalone version developed for the assessment of partial or whole groups of buildings on a smaller scale than CASBEE for Cities.

The Pearl Community Rating System (PCRS) promotes the development of sustainable communities and improved quality of life in Abu Dhabi. The tool encourages water, energy and waste minimization, local material use and improved supply chains for sustainable and recycled materials and products. The PCRS is applicable to developments that are multiple plot subdivisions, with a vehicular network and community facilities or amenities. The tool requires master plan teams to develop Pearl Rating targets and guidelines for all buildings within the community. Since May 2010 all new community developments in Abu Dhabi must at least achieve a “One Pearl” rating.

The Vermont Transportation Resilience Planning Tool (TRPT) is a web-based application that helps integrate climate risk and transportation resiliency into Vermont’s Transportation System’s (VTrans) planning process. The TRPT combines river science, hydraulics and transportation planning methods to help VTrans understand the vulnerability of their transportation systems to impacts of climate change and extreme weather and identify and prioritize mitigation strategies for the impacts of future damages in the most critical, highest risk locations. Key features of the tool include a mapping service for viewing spatial datasets, graphical data for summary analyses, and tabular display of mitigation alternatives for at-risk transportation assets.

Greenroads is a rating system developed to measure and manage the sustainability of transportation projects. The rating system assesses sustainability across five core areas and twelve additional requirements for projects that want to be certified. This way, the tool aims to encourage the reduction of environmental impact and resource use of transportation projects as well as improvements in safety, mobility and access. There is a project checklist available that serves as a self-assessment to better understand green potentials of transportation projects.

The Sustainable Infrastructure Guidelines for Chinese International Contractors (SIG) are a voluntary guidance document developed by the China International Contractors Associations for Chinese enterprises engaged in infrastructure projects overseas to enhance sustainability performance across economic, social, environmental and governance aspects. The guidelines propose a broad set of sustainability indicators covering the entire life cycle from funding, planning, design, building, operation and maintenance to closure. The SIG may also serve as a tool for evaluation of sustainability on completed projects.