Relevance of Acoustic Performance in Green Building Labels and Social Sustainability Ratings

Abstract Several initiatives have been launched to increase sustainability in building industry. All of them contain a shift in focus from energy consumption to a wide variety of indicators for the full life cycle. This implies a broader view, not only based on the ecological, but on the economic and social performance of buildings as well. A closer look on internationally acting Green Building Labels reveals that acoustic performance and noise protection is seen as an important part of the social sustainability aspects of a building. Thus, the approach of how to consider the acoustic performance and impact on rating results vary heavily.