Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is a widely recognized United States Green Building Council (USGBC) certification program that aims to promote sustainable development and reduce the environmental impact of buildings, as advocated by Al Gore and supported by organizations like the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Environmental Protection Agency. The program was developed by Rick Fedrizzi, David Gottfried, and Mike Italiano, and has been endorsed by Barack Obama and Joe Biden. LEED certification is based on a points system, which evaluates buildings based on their performance in areas such as energy efficiency, water conservation, and indoor air quality, as outlined by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the International Code Council.

Introduction to LEED

The LEED program is based on a holistic approach to building design, construction, and operation, and is supported by organizations like the National Institute of Building Sciences and the American Institute of Architects. It takes into account factors such as climate change, biodiversity, and human health, as highlighted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the World Health Organization. LEED certification is recognized by green building experts like Amory Lovins and Janine Benyus, and is used by companies like Google, Microsoft, and Wal-Mart to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability. The program is also supported by non-governmental organizations like the World Wildlife Fund and the Nature Conservancy.

History of LEED

The LEED program was first launched in 1998 by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), with the support of Robert Redford and Terry Tamminen. The program was developed in collaboration with architects, engineers, and builders from companies like Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and HOK, and was influenced by the work of Buckminster Fuller and Ian McHarg. The first version of the LEED rating system was based on a pilot program that was tested by buildings like the Philip Merrill Environmental Center and the Adam Joseph Lewis Center for Environmental Studies. The program has since undergone several updates, including the release of LEED 2009 and LEED v4, which were developed with input from experts like Greg Kats and Joe Romm.

LEED Certification Process

The LEED certification process involves several steps, including registration, documentation, and review, as outlined by the USGBC and the Green Building Certification Institute. Building owners and design teams must first register their project with the USGBC, and then submit documentation that demonstrates compliance with LEED requirements, as specified by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The documentation is then reviewed by a third-party reviewer, who verifies that the building meets the LEED standards, as established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Federal Energy Management Program. The certification process is supported by software tools like Autodesk and Graphisoft, and is used by companies like IBM and Cisco Systems.

LEED Rating Systems

The LEED rating system is based on a points system, which evaluates buildings based on their performance in areas such as energy efficiency, water conservation, and indoor air quality, as measured by meters and sensors from companies like Honeywell and Johnson Controls. The rating system includes several categories, including LEED for New Construction, LEED for Existing Buildings, and LEED for Homes, which were developed with input from experts like Edward Mazria and Sandra Mendler. Each category has its own set of prerequisites and credits, which are based on industry standards like the ASHRAE Standard 90.1 and the International Energy Conservation Code. The rating system is supported by organizations like the National Association of Home Builders and the American Society of Landscape Architects.

Benefits and Criticisms of LEED

The benefits of LEED certification include energy savings, water conservation, and improved indoor air quality, as demonstrated by studies from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. LEED-certified buildings have also been shown to have higher property values and lower operating costs, as reported by companies like Jones Lang LaSalle and CBRE Group. However, the LEED program has also been criticized for its complexity and cost, as noted by critics like Herbert Girardet and Ted Nordhaus. Some have also argued that the program is too focused on points and not enough on performance, as discussed by experts like John Krause and Nancy Carlisle.

LEED in Practice and Case Studies

LEED certification has been used by a wide range of buildings and organizations, including the Empire State Building, the White House, and the Googleplex, as reported by media outlets like the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. The program has also been used by cities like Chicago and San Francisco to promote sustainable development and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as outlined by the Chicago Climate Action Plan and the San Francisco Climate Action Plan. Case studies of LEED-certified buildings have been published by organizations like the USGBC and the National Building Museum, and have highlighted the benefits of LEED certification, as demonstrated by projects like the Bullitt Center and the VanDusen Botanical Garden Visitor Centre. Category:Green building