According to data presented at the 2015 Paris Climate Conference, the commercial and residential construction sector accounts for 39% of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere, generates 30% of solid waste and is responsible for 20% of water pollution. The influence of our buildings on the future of our society is, therefore, abundantly clear; and it is against this backdrop that the unstoppable trend towards sustainable, energy-efficient and low-environmental-impact buildings has emerged. In this article, we will explain why LEED certification is the best option for achieving this goal.

What exactly is LEED Certification?

LEED stands for “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design”. This certification, created by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and managed by the Green Business Council Inc. (GBCI), is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. LEED Certification is a globally recognised symbol of our aspirations to achieve societal sustainability, and it applies not only to creating buildings that are environmentally friendly and healthy, but also for the positive economic impact it has for developers and owners: LEED Certification helps save on energy costs and represents an increase in property value.

LEED certification frames sustainability within a broad sense of well-being for both people and the environment as a whole.

LEED, an eco-friendly building

There are a great number of options for certifying a building as “sustainable”, however only LEED Certification frames sustainability within a broad sense of well-being for both people and the environment in general. LEED takes into account the energy and water consumption of the building throughout its lifespan but also considers the environmental impact of the materials used during its construction, its capacity to generate energy in situ and the quality of the indoor environment in which occupants will live, work, or enjoy themselves.

The LEED certification covers the following areas:

LEED Certification consists of 8 performance areas, each including a series of measures. Some of these measures are mandatory and others are optional for achieving certification. These are the areas of LEED Certification and the objectives of each of them:

1. Location and transportto avoid development in inappropriate or environmentally sensitive locations; to reduce individual vehicle travel; to promote physical activity for people; to reduce the building's impact on the environment; to promote the health of adjacent areas; to protect nearby natural life; to promote alternative transport systems; to reduce the impact produced by parking areas.
2. Sustainable placesreduce pollution from construction activities; protect vulnerable populations; conserve natural areas and restore affected areas, allow interaction between natural environments; avoid water waste; reduce light pollution.
3. Water use efficiencyreduce water use outdoors and indoors; optimise water use during construction; provide water storage; optimise treatment and cooling systems.
4. Energy and atmosphereTo guarantee minimum energy use; to use energy efficiently during construction; to avoid atmospheric pollution with certain compounds; to produce renewable energy; to decrease CO2 emissions; to incorporate new technologies.
5. Resources and materialsTo incorporate recycling systems; decrease construction and demolition waste; reduce the use of materials incorporating certain components; reduce the impact of the building's lifespan; reduce the environmental impact of materials and equipment.
6. Indoor environmental qualityensure indoor air quality; optimise acoustic quality according to use; achieve greater thermal and lighting control; harness solar light; achieve connection with natural environments.
7. InnovationTo achieve breakthroughs in innovative categories.
8. Local priorityto achieve improvements in particularly priority areas in the vicinity of the building.

Projects seeking LEED Certification must earn points in these areas and, based on the number of points obtained, a project receives one of the LEED certification levels: Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum.

Source: www.greenlivingllc.com

The benefits of LEED Certification are numerous and varied. For owners and developers, it can lead to lower operating costs through increased energy and water efficiency. It also enhances the marketability of a building, attracting tenants and buyers who value sustainability. Furthermore, LEED certification can improve occupant health and well-being by ensuring better indoor air quality and access to daylight. This, in turn, can lead to increased productivity and reduced absenteeism. From an environmental perspective, LEED projects contribute to a healthier planet. They reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve natural resources, and promote the use of sustainable materials. They also help to minimise waste by encouraging recycling and responsible disposal practices. Economically, LEED certification can lead to potential tax rebates and grants. It also enhances a property's long-term value and can provide a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Additionally, it demonstrates a commitment to corporate social responsibility, which can improve a company's public image and brand reputation. In summary, the benefits of LEED certification span economic, environmental, and social aspects, making it a valuable framework for creating high-performing, healthy, and environmentally responsible buildings.

Return on investment

The USGBC itself explains that “with LEED certification, a building reduces its energy consumption by between 30% and 70%, its water consumption by between 30% and 50%, between 50% and 80% of waste costs, and 35% of CO2 emissions”. In addition to energy efficiency, there are purely economic benefits, as a LEED project not only delivers significant savings on energy costs but also increases rental and resale value. Many international companies only consider buildings with LEED certification when establishing their headquarters.

Marketing

A LEED-certified building is a very powerful marketing tool that highlights a project's commitment to sustainable development and the health of the planet. The seal guarantees that this intention has been recognised by the most prestigious organisation for implementing sustainability worldwide. In this way, LEED-certified buildings become a benchmark that promotes values of respect for the environment and an example to follow in the community.

Quality standard

In a sector such as construction, where quality standards are extremely variable, with the development of a LEED Certification process, the project ensures compliance with strict international construction quality criteria that will guarantee the sustainability, health, and well-being of the project.

Anyone can pursue LEED certification.

Currently, over 90,000 projects have undergone LEED Certification in more than 165 countries. LEED Certification serves various types of projects, ranging from communities, existing building renovations, and interior design, to the design and construction of new buildings.

LEED+WELL: The perfect complement

The WELL Certification, created by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) and also administered by the GBCI, is very similar to LEED certification in its approach; however, unlike LEED, WELL certification sets architectural standards with a focus on ensuring the health and well-being of occupants. LEED v4 and WELL v2, the current versions of each standard, share around 15% of common requirements, and both certifications are perfectly complementary and applicable to both entire buildings and individual spaces within them, which is why many projects choose to implement them together. When this happens, the building’s performance is optimised for the benefit of the environment and the health of its occupants.

LEED and WELL are perfectly complementary and applicable to entire buildings as well as independent spaces within them, which is why many projects choose to implement them together.

How much does LEED Certification cost?

The costs of LEED Certification can be divided into three: certification costs to pay the USGBC, Consultancy fees, and Implementation costs. Certification costs depend on the project type and are in line with its size, although they are generally lower than those for WELL Certification as they do not require a final site visit by the certifying body. Consultancy costs will depend on the company hired to manage the certification process for your project. Implementation costs, that is, those incurred from improving the project to meet LEED requirements, depend on the project's starting point and the consultancy firm's ability to identify areas for cost savings. At Espacios Evalore, we carry out LEED consulting processes and help you reduce implementation costs.. In our experience, these do not usually increase the construction budget by more than 2 to 5 per cent.

Implementation costs depend largely on the consulting firm’s ability to identify areas for cost savings. In our projects, these costs do not usually exceed 2–5% of the material implementation budget.

Israel Leal Vegas

Architect, Spaces Evaluate