5.1.4. LEED Rating

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, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) formed the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) in the year 2001 and has licensed the LEED Green Building Standard from the USGBC.

LEED is a system that assesses the environmental performance of buildings, encouraging sustainable building practices. It was created by the USGBC and is utilized in various countries, including India, where the IGBC manages the LEED standards. This rating system includes specific criteria aimed at fostering environmentally-responsible construction and operation of buildings.

Think of LEED as a fitness tracker for buildings. Just as you measure your daily steps, heart rate, and calories burned to ensure you're living a healthy lifestyle, LEED measures aspects such as water use, energy efficiency, and air quality to ensure that a building operates sustainably.

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 supports global sustainability efforts by helping to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This means that by achieving LEED certification, buildings can contribute to important goals like reducing pollution and conserving natural resources, which are essential for sustainable development.

Imagine a company setting targets to reduce its waste and energy use. By implementing specific strategies, much like how LEED provides guidelines for building practices, the company can track its progress and ultimately contribute to a healthier planet, similar to how certified buildings do.

The primary objective of LEED is to facilitate the design of good buildings that exude the following characteristics, as outlined by USGBC:

• Reduce contribution to global climate change.
• Enhance individual human health.
• Protect and restore water resources.
• Protect and enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services.
• Promote sustainable and regenerative material cycles.
• Enhance community quality of life.

The USGBC outlines the goals of LEED, focusing on eco-friendly building practices. These goals emphasize reducing the negative effects buildings have on the planet and promoting health and well-being for individuals and communities. This holistic approach ensures that buildings are not only efficient but also beneficial for people and the environment.

Think of a LEED-certified building like a green thumb gardener. Just as a gardener cultivates plants that benefit both the garden and surrounding wildlife, LEED buildings are designed to positively impact both the environment and the health of those who use them.

There are various kinds of LEED certifications depending on the types and the phase of the building 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
• LEED Cities.

LEED offers different certification types tailored to various building types and project phases. Each certification focuses on specific aspects of construction and operation. For example, BD+C is for new buildings, while O+M is for existing structures improving their performance. This flexibility allows a wide range of buildings to participate in the certification process.

Consider a cooking class that offers different levels for beginners and experts. Just as each class is tailored to fit the needs of different cooks, LEED certifications are designed to address the unique needs of various building projects.

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 certification process evaluates how well a project meets LEED standards across various categories. Each category has prerequisites that must be fulfilled to earn points. The total points accumulated will determine the certification level: Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum. This structured approach helps to gauge the environmental impact of buildings positively.

Think of the LEED certification process like grading a student’s report card. Just as students earn points for completing assignments and passing tests, buildings earn points for fulfilling criteria in energy use, waste management, and more. The better they perform, the higher their grade in terms of sustainability.

The major categories and their respective credits include:

• Energy and Atmosphere (33 credits)
• Location and Transportation (16 credits)
• Materials and Resources (13 credits)
• Sustainable Sites (10 credits)
• Water Efficiency (10 credits)
• Innovation (6 credits)
• Regional Priority Credits (4 credits)
• Integrative Process (1 credit).

LEED is divided into key categories, each with specific areas where projects can earn credits. Together, these categories cover a comprehensive range of attributes for sustainable building, from energy usage to site development. Each focus area highlights essential factors that contribute to overall building performance.

This categorization is similar to a sports competition where teams can earn points in various game sections, such as defense, attack, and teamwork, leading to a final score that reflects overall performance.

In the US Green Building (USGBC) annual list for 2021, India achieved the remarkable position of third in the world for LEED Green buildings, with a total of 146 certified buildings and spaces, covering an impressive 2.8 million gross area square meters.

India's significant achievement in LEED certifications highlights the growing commitment to green building practices in the country. The impressive number of certified projects demonstrates the effectiveness of LEED in promoting sustainable development across various states and building types.

Like a country excelling in the Olympics, India’s success in obtaining LEED certifications showcases its commitment to environmental sustainability and innovation in building practices, inspiring other nations to improve their green initiatives.

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