LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices. To receive LEED certification, building projects satisfy prerequisites and earn points to achieve different levels of certification.
The LEED plaque on a building is a mark of quality and achievement in green building. LEED certified buildings are commanding higher rental rates and great occupancy than the non-green buildings. This trend cannot help but impact the Investment community. The supply while gradually increasing is not keeping up with the demand for green buildings. LEED New Construction buildings are awarded points for sustainability for things like energy-efficient lighting, low-flow plumbing fixtures and collection of water to name a few.
Interest in green technology will stimulate job-market growth, and open up new business venues as it continues to catch on. Just like any other market, competition is healthy and a monopoly is not. Increasing public awareness is crucial to the continued expansion of LEED New Construction certification and the advancement of green technology in construction projects.
Detailed information on the LEED program and project certification process is available from USGBC at http://www.usgbc.org/. The program outlines the intent, requirements, technologies, and strategies for meeting each credit.
The LEED rating system offers four certification levels for new construction — Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum — that correspond to the number of credits accrued in five green design categories: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources and indoor environmental quality. LEED standards cover new commercial construction and major renovation projects, interiors projects and existing building operations. Standards are
under development to cover commercial “core & shell” construction, new home construction and neighborhood developments.
LEED is a voluntary program; however, obtaining a LEED certification projects a positive environmental image to the community. Additionally, using many green building practices can result in energy and cost savings over the life of the structure. Other advantages include better indoor air quality and plenty of daylight.
