GCT Featured Articles
LEED Spreads Throughout the World
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified buildings save energy, save money in lower electric bills, and save on other resources. LEED-certified commercial and residential buildings give the occupants a healthier indoor environment. LEED buildings optimize energy efficiency and indoor water efficiency; often while using on-site sources of renewable energy.
LEED has the most comprehensive energy efficiency standards among the currently operational major green building certification programs in the world today. LEED was launched in 1998 by the U.S Green Building Council (USGBC), and initially, LEED certifications were mainly given to buildings in the United States. However, during the previous decade, LEED began to designate certifications to buildings in many other countries, such as throughout Europe.
Many people worldwide want to optimize the construction of energy efficient buildings, and new developments have taken root to make LEED programs widely available globally (LEED v4). This means that more people have access to LEED programs worldwide, and have the opportunity to reap the benefits of LEED for years to come.
"Leaders across the globe have made LEED the most widely used green building rating system in the world with 1.85 million square feet of construction space certifying every day. LEED certification provides independent verification of a building or neighborhood’s green features, allowing for the design, construction, operations and maintenance of resource-efficient, high-performing, healthy, cost-effective buildings. LEED is the triple bottom line in action, benefiting people, planet and profit." FROM>>> usgbc.org/resources/leed-brochure
Features of LEED
LEED homes and buildings are sustainable, provide people with an indoor environment that is healthy; and are modern, energy efficient buildings. Some of the basic features of a LEED building are:
- high indoor air quality - supporting the overall health of the building's occupants
- well-insulated, sealed air-tight buildings - for optimal savings on HVAC needs
- daylight & views - daylighting up to 75% of spaces - natural light provides some of the heat for the building; as well as supporting the overall well-being of the building's occupants
- construction waste management and use of renewable or recycled materials during construction
- energy efficient lighting, such as LEDs and CFLs
- optimize energy performance - often with on-site renewable energy sources such as geothermal heat pumps, rooftop solar panels, or PV arrays elsewhere on the property; or community solar. Building energy efficiency is also optimized; often with home energy management systems, programmable thermostats, and other smart appliances (including smart HVAC units). For other ways energy efficiency is optimized in buildings, please see - Improving Energy Efficiency
- water efficiency and stormwater management; insulated water heaters, or solar water heaters when suitable and requested
See - Improving Energy Efficiency - for a rundown of sustainable technologies currently used to optimize energy efficiency in buildings
Rating systems for LEED
Each project that LEED certifies has different prerequisites and aspects to rate, and vary depending on the development site and type of building. LEED has a few different rating levels based on a point system (such as Silver, Gold, and Platinum) that are applied to each development designation for a LEED-certified building. The more efficiency and sustainability features a building has, the higher the points awarded. Here are a few construction and site development designations used in LEED ratings:
- “BD+C” means building design and construction. This deals with new constructions or major renovations that will dramatically change the existing structure.
- “ID+C” means interior design and construction, which deals with projects that make changes to a building's interior.
- The “O+M” designation deals with operations and maintenance, which only applies to buildings that already exist. There is only improvement work and little to no construction involved.
- The "ND" designation is for neighborhood development; new development projects or redevelopment projects containing residential uses, nonresidential uses, or a mix.
- "LEED Homes" - for single-family or multi-family homes, low to mid-rise buildings. Buildings greater than 6 stories use the BD+C designation.
"LEED Zero" has been added as an additional designation for a BD+C or O+M development that achieves net zero carbon, and/or net zero on water & waste.
LEED BD+C and ACPs
The LEED BD+C (building design & construction codes, for new building construction or major building renovation) were improved with the addition of a set of new construction codes as of 2014. In February of 2014, the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), in conjunction with the Sweden Green Building Council (SGBC), hosted members of the LEED International Roundtable, who came together to introduce a special, Europe-specific program for the LEED BD+C. This is called the Alternative Compliance Paths (ACPs).
SGBC has developed solutions that are specifically for Sweden in the past, and the Sweden Green Building Council brought ingenuity and advice to the ACPs program. A great example of a city using advanced, alternative construction practices to ensure the energy efficiency in new buildings can be found in Vaxjo, Sweden.
Here are a couple of succinct summaries of LEED certification principles:
“The five critical areas of focus, as laid out by the USGBC, are sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.
Sustainable site development involves, whenever possible, the reuse of existing buildings and the preservation of the surrounding environment. The incorporation of earth shelters, roof gardens, and extensive planting throughout and around buildings are encouraged.
Water is conserved by a variety of means including the cleaning and recycling of gray (previously used) water and the installation of building-by-building catchments for rainwater. Water usage and supplies are monitored.
Energy efficiency can be increased in a variety of ways, for example, by orienting buildings to take full advantage of seasonal changes in the sun’s position and by the use of diversified and regionally appropriate energy sources, which may—depending on geographic location—include solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, water, or natural gas.” FROM- britannica.com/technology/LEED-standards
[The other two LEED priorities, materials selection and indoor air quality, are covered extensively in Green City Times' green building overview article.]
WHY LEED?
"LEED is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Available for virtually all building types, LEED provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership.
Millions of people are living, working and learning in LEED-certified buildings around the world."
FROM - usgbc.org/leed/why-leed
Please see:
Please also see:
Vaxjo (passive house construction practices)
GCT Featured Articles
Oslo, Norway – Eco-Capital
Oslo: Net Zero Future | Oslo has fleets of clean mass public transit - trams, electric buses and ferries - powered...
Read PostClimate Solution – Sustainable Agriculture
Benefits of Sustainable Agriculture | Sustainable ag. turns farms into thriving biodiverse lands that produce...
Read PostSustainable City – CHICAGO
Chicago might not be widely known as a green city, however, the city has a Sustainable Action Agenda, a vast network...
Read PostVauban and the Plus-Energy Sun Ship
Vauban is an exemplary sustainable town and a zero-emission district. Most energy for buildings is from rooftop solar...
Read PostRegenerative Agriculture
Regenerative ag. creates carbon sinks; turning farms into healthy ecosystems that sequester carbon with vibrant plant...
Read PostAustin, Texas – A Sustainable City
Eco-friendly Capital | Austin is emerging as a leader in renewable energy, community solar, and LEED building efficiency...
Read Post12 Ways You Can Help the Environment
Lower your carbon footprint, save energy, and help the environment. Here are 12+ actions for sustainable individuals...
Read Post10 Ways to Reduce Food Waste
by Jane Marsh | Significant amounts of food waste originate from cities. Urbanites can use food waste reduction methods...
Read PostModern Sustainable Waste Management Technologies
5 Ways for SMART Cities to Implement Sustainable Waste Management | by Jane Marsh | Cities are implementing zero-waste...
Read Post5 Categories of Change in Climate
Climate change is adversely affecting all parts of the earth. There have been dramatic increases in greenhouse gas emissions...
Read Post10 Ways Smart Cities Improve Worker Safety
10 IoT Technologies for Sustainable Smart Cities | by Jane Marsh | As the conversation around greenhouse gas...
Read PostProfiles in Sustainable Cities – San Diego, California
Sustainable cities, like San Diego, have eco-city designs that prioritize consideration of social, economic, and environmental...
Read PostOffshore Wind Farms in the United States | Block Island Leads the Way
First of many US offshore wind farms | The United States' 1st operational offshore wind farm is the Block Island...
Read PostClean Energy Jobs are UP, and RE cost is down
Clean Energy JOBS | The future of employment in the energy sector is in clean energy, energy efficiency, and renewable...
Read PostKamuthi Solar Project, Bhadla Solar Park; and the largest solar PV farms in India, China, and other countries
Featuring over 2.5 million individual solar PV modules, and on 2,500 acres, in the town of Kamuthi in the Ramanathapuram...
Read PostUsing Technology to Provide Clean Water to Cities
How Technology Can Help Cities Avoid Another Flint Water Crisis | Article by Jane Marsh | The green movement is influencing...
Read PostHow Safe & Clean is Nuclear ☢️ Energy?
When looking at climate solutions for clean energy generation, it is prudent to look at all clean energy sources. Nuclear...
Read PostMicrogrids spread across Africa
Developing Microgrids | As African nations push for rural electrification, many look to microgrids as a sustainable...
Read PostFuture Generations of Batteries
Next generation li-ion batteries | Next-gen lithium-ion (li-ion) batteries can charge quickly, are rechargeable,...
Read PostClean Hydrogen Power
Hydrogen (H2) and the Clean Energy Transition | Hydrogen created with clean energy is one of the most promising...
Read PostNuclear – necessary energy
Both nuclear and renewable energy are needed in the global energy mix to help fight climate change. In order to cut...
Read PostCOP21 – good news for the planet
NDCs and Net Zero Pledges | At COP21, commonly referred to as the Paris Climate Accord, nations sent representatives...
Read PostPlan for the Expansion of Smart Meter Infrastructure
Modern SMART Meters | Many buildings in America today still rely on inefficient energy infrastructure, such as older...
Read PostRecycling – how we are doing as a global community; waste-to-energy
Effective waste management strategies for cities include citywide recycling programs, circular economy strategies, as...
Read PostPermanent ban on new coal mines and other sustainability priorities
Strategies for mitigating climate change | What are the best strategies for mitigating global warming? How is the...
Read Post10 Sustainable Technologies Improving Air Quality in Cities
GREEN Tech for Healthy Air | Article by Jane Marsh | Cities are the heart of every global region. They are headquarters...
Read PostShortfall in International GHG Reduction Pledges
Is the World Going to Meet its Climate Targets? There is a substantial shortfall between GHG emission reduction pledges...
Read PostThe Global Fight Against Climate Change; NDCs and Net Zero Targets Worldwide
Nationally Determined Contributions | As part of the ongoing global battle against climate change, almost 200 countries...
Read PostBreakthroughs in Solar Photovoltaic (PV) and Solar Thermal Technology
Solar - the most abundant renewable energy on the planet | Recently there have been dramatic breakthroughs in solar...
Read PostRenewable Energy – Breakthroughs in Wind Energy
Onshore Wind Farms - Cheap and Clean Energy | Onshore wind farms now provide the least expensive form of energy, renewable...
Read PostEconomy vs. the Environment
Economic growth does not have to come at the expense of the environment. Sustainable technologies (such as renewable...
Read PostDesalination – Clean Water for a Thirsty World
The two desalination plants featured below; one in Carlsbad (San Diego county, California - featured photo), and one...
Read Post10 Countries Promoting the use of Electric Vehicles (EVs)
Why Is There A Need For EVs Globally? In its World Energy Outlook, the International Energy Agency identifies pathways...
Read PostSmart City Energy Infrastructure
Updating Infrastructure for Developing Renewable Energy in Cities | People-centered smart cities are cropping up worldwide....
Read PostEVs and the Future of Urban Transit
Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure | What will be done to develop electric vehicle infrastructure? With cars that...
Read PostThe Role of E-mobility Trends in Decarbonizing Transport
Decarbonizing the Transportation Sector with E-mobility | It's no secret that transportation is a major source of...
Read PostPutting a Price on Carbon
Carbon Markets | Carbon cap and trade systems are regulatory policies in which countries, provinces, states, and even...
Read PostReforestation
Deforestation and solutions; including reforestation | Deforestation of our planet, for centuries, has led to issues...
Read PostThe UNFCCC
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – Conference of the Parties | World leaders, dignitaries,...
Read PostCarbon tax – a levy on pollution whose time has come
Defining effective carbon taxes | A carbon tax is a levy in countries and regions on: fossil fuel power plants, oil...
Read PostImproving energy efficiency
Energy Efficiency Foundations for Green Building: Energy Star, LED and CFL Lights, LEED technologies When it comes to...
Read PostDecoupling and Divestment to Reach Sustainability
Economic Growth Without Environmental Impact Decoupling in eco-environmental terms can be defined as economic growth...
Read PostISEGS – A Shining Example of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP)
Ivanpah Solar Electrical Generating System (ISEGS) Ivanpah Solar Electrical Generating System (ISEGS) is a 392 MW solar concentrated...
Read PostCar-sharing and Ride-hailing
Sustainable Commuting | Many ride-sharing fleets are converting to electric cars. Car-sharing (a.k.a. ride-sharing)...
Read PostCalifornia – Current Progress of a Climate Champion
Learning From California's Struggle to Balance Decarbonization With Energy Resilience | Since California passed the...
Read PostA Close Look at San Diego’s HERO Program
San Diego, Green Buildings, HERO Program | The importance of green energy for use in homes and businesses is becoming...
Read Post
Please let us here at Green City Times know what you think in a comment; and we’ll try and answer any questions as well.
Please also visit our other blog at https://greencitytimes.blogspot.com
[Dan Braff is the founder of GCT –
Daniel Braff
about.me/gctimes]