5.1.4.1.2. LEED Interior Design and Construction (ID+C)

LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a green building rating system developed by the US Green Building Council (USGBC). In India, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) formed the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) in year 2001 and has licensed the LEED Green Building Standard from the USGBC.

LEED is a system that helps buildings be more environmentally friendly. It was created by the US Green Building Council and focuses on reducing the negative impacts of buildings on the environment. In India, there is an organization called IGBC which has adapted this system for local use since 2001. Essentially, LEED aims to ensure buildings are designed with sustainability in mind, encouraging builders to be more responsible in their construction methods.

Think of LEED as a 'nutrition label' for buildings. Just like we check the labels on food to understand its health benefits, LEED gives us a way to understand how eco-friendly a building is. If a building is LEED certified, it means it 'meets good standards' in terms of being energy efficient and environmentally conscious.

Policymakers, planners, and builders can adopt LEED and sustainable building practices as effective strategies to progress towards the UN SDGs. LEED categories contribute to the achievement of the SDGs in the following ways - conserving water, improving energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions (GHGs), and minimizing harmful air pollutants to enhance environmental sustainability.

LEED helps countries and communities work towards global goals called Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals aim to create a better, more sustainable future. LEED focuses on important areas such as using less water, saving energy, cutting down harmful emissions, and improving air quality. By following LEED practices, towns and cities can make significant steps in protecting our environment while also looking out for human health.

Imagine a school that decides to adopt a 'green plan.' By installing solar panels, conserving water through rainwater harvesting, and making sure their air conditioning units are energy efficient, they are essentially trying to 'earn good grades' on their environmental report card, just like how LEED helps buildings get 'good grades' for being eco-friendly.

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), LEED Interior Design and Construction (ID+C), LEED Building Operations and Maintenance (O+M), LEED Neighbourhood Development (ND), LEED Homes, and LEED Cities.

LEED certifications are tailored to fit different building types and their specific needs. For instance, 'Building Design and Construction' is for new constructions, while 'Interior Design and Construction' focuses on the interior setup of spaces. Other certifications cater to existing buildings, neighborhoods, and entire cities. This variety helps ensure any building, whether new or old, can aspire to be more sustainable.

Think of LEED certification types like different categories in a sports competition. Just as there are categories for swimming, running, and team sports, LEED has categories that focus on different aspects of building and development. Each category has its own rules and goals, just as each sport requires specific skills to excel.

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.

LEED certification works on a point system. To get certified, a building must meet certain basic requirements and then gain additional points by addressing various factors like energy use, waste management, and material choices. The more criteria a building meets, the more points it can collect, leading to a higher level of certification.

Imagine if you were collecting stickers for completing tasks around the house. For every chore you finish, you earn a sticker. The more chores you do (like taking out the trash or washing the dishes), the more stickers you get and the closer you get to a reward. Similarly, buildings collect points for being sustainable.

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). Notably, climate change accounts for 35% related to climate change, 20% directly impact human health, 15% impact water resources.

Each building that goes through the LEED certification process receives a score based on the points they earn, which then places them into a category such as Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum. This system encourages buildings to strive for excellence, with Platinum being the highest achievement. It reflects not just on energy metrics but also factors like human health and resource use.

This can be likened to a school grading system where students receive letters based on their performance. An 'A' student (Platinum) demonstrates outstanding understanding and application, while a 'C' student (Certified) meets the basic requirements but has room for improvement. Just like striving for a better grade, buildings aim for higher LEED certifications.

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