5.1.4.1. Certification types and Credit scoring

There are various kinds of LEED certifications depending on the types and the phase of the building of projects, as follows;

• LEED Building Design and Construction (BD+C) For new construction or major renovations, and also includes applications for Schools, Retail, Hospitality, Data Centers, Warehouses & Distribution Centers, and Healthcare.

• LEED Interior Design and Construction (ID+C) for complete interior fit-out projects, Includes Commercial Interiors, and also includes applications for Retail and Hospitality.

• LEED Building Operations and Maintenance (O+M) for existing buildings that are undergoing improvement work or little to no construction. Includes Existing Buildings, and also includes applications for Schools, Retail, Hospitality, Data Centers, and Warehouses & Distribution Centers.

• LEED Neighbourhood Development (ND) for new land development projects or redevelopment projects containing residential uses, non-residential uses, or a mix. Projects can be at any stage of the development process, from conceptual planning to construction. Includes Plan and Built Project.

• LEED Homes for single family homes, low-rise multi-family (one to three stories) or mid-rise multi-family (four or more). Includes Homes, Multifamily Low-rise, Multifamily Midrise.

• LEED Cities for entire cities and sub-sections of a city. LEED for Cities projects can measure and manage their city’s water consumption, energy use, waste, transportation and human experience.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) offers different types of certifications based on the phase and type of building project. The major categories include Building Design and Construction for new buildings, Interior Design and Construction for interior spaces, and Operations and Maintenance for existing structures. There are also specific certifications for neighborhoods, homes, and entire cities, which recognize sustainable practices in various settings.

Imagine LEED certifications like different game levels in a video game. Just as each level presents unique challenges and goals, each LEED category caters to different types of construction projects—with specialized requirements—and achieving each level indicates a significant achievement in sustainability.

To obtain LEED certification, a project accumulates points by adhering to prerequisites and fulfilling criteria related to carbon emissions, energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, transportation, materials usage, and indoor environmental quality. The certification process involves a thorough examination and assessment by GBCI (Green Business Certification Inc.), which assigns points based on the project's adherence to LEED standards. The total number of points determines the level of LEED certification: Certified (40-49 points), Silver (50-59 points), Gold (60-79 points), or Platinum (80+ points).

To achieve LEED certification, projects need to earn points by meeting specific criteria in various sustainability categories such as energy efficiency and waste management. The points are calculated during a detailed review process by a certifying body, and based on the total points accumulated, projects receive a certification level ranging from Certified to Platinum, reflecting their sustainability achievements.

Think of gaining LEED certification as earning grades in school. Just like a student earns grades based on their performance in different subjects, a building earns points in various sustainability areas. The better the performance in these areas, the higher the grade—akin to the certification level it receives.

The major categories and their respective credits are;

• Energy and Atmosphere (33 credits)

  • Fundamental Commissioning and Verification [prerequisite]
  • Minimum Energy Performance [prerequisite]
  • Building-Level Energy Metering [prerequisite]
  • Fundamental Refrigerant Management [prerequisite]
  • Optimize Energy Performance [18]
  • Enhanced Commissioning [6]
  • Advanced Energy Metering [1]
  • Renewable Energy [5]
  • Enhanced Refrigerant Management [1]
  • Grid Harmonization [2]

• Location and Transportation (16 credits)

  • Sensitive Land Protection [1]
  • High Priority Site and Equitable Development [2]
  • Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses [5]
  • Access to Quality Transit [5]
  • Bicycle Facilities [1]
  • Reduced Parking Footprint [1]
  • Electric Vehicles [1]

• Materials and Resources (13 credits)

  • Storage and Collection of Recyclables [prerequisite]
  • Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction [5]
  • Environmental Product Declarations [2]
  • Sourcing of Raw Materials [2]
  • Material Ingredients [2]
  • Construction and Demolition Waste Management [2]

• Sustainable Sites (10 credits)

  • Construction activity pollution prevention [1]
  • Site Assessment [1]
  • Protect or Restore Habitat [2]
  • Open Spaces [1]
  • Rainwater Management [3]
  • Heat Island Reduction [2]
  • Light Pollution Reduction [1]

• Water Efficiency (10 credits)

  • Outdoor Water Use Reduction [prerequisite]
  • Indoor Water Use Reduction [prerequisite]
  • Building-Level Water Metering [prerequisite]
  • Outdoor Water Use Reduction [2]
  • Indoor Water Use Reduction [6]
  • Optimize Process Water Use [2]
  • Water Metering [1]

• Innovation (6 credits)

  • Innovation in design [5]
  • LEED Accredited Professional [1]

• Regional Priority Credits (4 credits)

• Integrative Process (1 credit)

LEED certification includes a variety of categories each with specific credits available. Categories range from Energy and Atmosphere, which focuses on energy use and management, to Materials and Resources that prioritize sustainable material selection. Each category comes with its own set of prerequisites and credits, contributing to the total points needed for certification.

Consider LEED categories like different sports in the Olympics. Just as athletes compete in various sports to earn medals, projects accumulate credits in areas such as energy efficiency and sustainable materials. The successful performance across these categories determines their overall success in achieving LEED certification.

Notably, climate change accounts for 35% relate to climate change, 20% directly impact human health, 15% impact water resources, 10% affect biodiversity, 10% relate to the green economy, and 5% impact community and natural resources.

The impact of LEED credits is assessed across several areas, showing how projects can contribute not just to energy efficiency but also overall human health, water conservation, biodiversity, and community betterment. For instance, credits are allocated to address significant issues like climate change and resource management to support broader environmental sustainability goals.

Think of the different impacts LEED addresses like the ingredients in a healthy recipe. Just as each ingredient contributes to the dish's health benefits (like vitamins and minerals), each area of impact represents a crucial aspect of a building’s environmental footprint. Focusing on these areas ensures a holistic approach to sustainability.

--