The Green Building Initiative has officially launched its new Ascent Building Certification to provide sustainability tools for global commercial real estate. Based in Portland, the organisation announced on 3 March 2026 that this science-based system will target markets in the UK and the EU. The certification is designed to evaluate health, resilience and sustainability practices across entire property portfolios. It serves as an international expansion of the established Green Globes programme which has already certified over 93 million square metres of space.

The new Ascent brand aims to meet a growing demand for transparent and consistent methodology that works across different borders. It provides a consensus-based framework that stays relevant by adapting to local regulatory requirements and standards. Project teams can use the system throughout all lifecycle phases of a building. This move follows the strong adoption of GBI’s previous programmes in the United States and Canada. The goal is to improve the impact of the built environment on both society and the climate without creating an unnecessary administrative burden for owners.

Vicki Worden, CEO of GBI, stated, “Building owners and investors are facing increasing pressure to demonstrate measurable performance and return on investment across global portfolios.” She continued, “GBI’s Ascent Building Certification answers that demand with a practical, transparent, and ESG-aligned approach.”

The certification features a unified framework that combines global consistency with local relevance. It uses independent third-party assessments from the established GBI network to ensure results are credible. The system also includes user-friendly software tools with centralised dashboards for reporting and portfolio scoring. Project managers can access expert support from green building specialists throughout the process. Rating levels will align with the existing Green Globes One through Four system. The assessment areas cover critical outcomes such as water usage, energy, materials, site management and the indoor environment. By using a structured approach, the GBI hopes to reduce friction in the certification process while maintaining high performance standards.