ISO 21929-1:2011

Overview

ISO 21929-1:2011 - "Sustainability in building construction - Sustainability indicators - Part 1" provides a framework and a core set of sustainability indicators for buildings. It guides the development and use of indicators to assess the sustainability performance of new or existing buildings across their life cycle (design, construction, operation, maintenance, refurbishment and end of life). The standard covers a building or group of buildings and the site’s external works (curtilage) and follows the general principles in ISO 15392 and relevant environmental and social guidance (e.g., ISO 14040, ISO 26000).

Key topics and technical requirements

• Framework for indicators: Adapts general sustainability principles specifically for buildings and describes types of indicators (quantitative and qualitative).
• Core set of indicators: Defines aspects to be measured to express a building’s contribution to sustainability and sustainable development. Core topics included are:
  • Emissions to air
  • Non‑renewable resource consumption (by type)
  • Fresh water consumption
  • Waste generation (by type)
  • Change of land use
  • Access to services (by type)
  • Accessibility
  • Indoor conditions and indoor air quality
  • Adaptability
  • Life cycle costs
  • Maintainability
  • Safety
  • Serviceability
  • Aesthetic quality
• Indicator system rules: Describes how to select, develop and use indicators, including usability and intended users.
• Scope limitations: ISO 21929-1 does not provide guidance on weighting indicators or aggregating assessment results - those decisions remain outside this part.

Practical applications

ISO 21929-1:2011 is practical for:

• Incorporating sustainability considerations early in building design (design-for-sustainability and design-for-environment)
• Developing assessment methods, certification schemes and environmental labeling for buildings
• Setting measurable targets and monitoring building performance over time
• Green procurement, specifying sustainability requirements and verification
• Sustainability reporting and demonstrating responsibility for environmental, economic and social impacts
• Informing life cycle–based decisions (in conjunction with ISO 14040 family)

Who should use this standard

• Building owners and developers
• Architects and engineers (design teams)
• Contractors and facility managers
• Public authorities and procurement officers
• Certification bodies, sustainability assessors and auditors
• Policy makers and real estate investors seeking consistent sustainability metrics

Related standards

• ISO 15392 (general principles for sustainability in buildings)
• ISO 21930 (environmental declarations of building products)
• ISO 21931-1 (framework for environmental performance assessment of buildings)
• ISO 14040 family (life cycle assessment) and ISO 26000 (social responsibility)

Keywords: ISO 21929-1:2011, sustainability indicators for buildings, core set of indicators, building sustainability assessment, life cycle, indoor air quality, resource consumption.