From Ecopedia

Overview

Founded in 1998, The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a Green Building Rating System introduced by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for offering a set of standards for environment-sustainable design, construction as well as operation of green buildings, homes and neighborhoods. The importance of LEED certification lies in the fact that environmental responsibility reduces the contribution to global warming and also reduces the carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emmissions of newly constructed buildings.

Environmental Information

LEED Certification is given to buildings, which adhere to all the green standards set by the LEED. A certificate from LEED ensures that such buildings are environmentally-responsible in utilizing resources and progress towards better living and work environments, enhanced productivity, reduced air and water contamination and reduced solid waste.

The USGBC, on the other hand, offers professional accreditation to people demonstrating knowledge of green building practices and familiarity with the requirements as well as processes laid down by the LEED.

Normally, LEED ratings exist for:

• Existing buildings
• New construction
• Core and shell
• Commercial interiors
• Schools
• Healthcare centers
• Retail shops
• Residential buildings, and
• Neighborhood development

Buildings earning LEED certification entertain high asset values, minimal operational costs, greener and safer occupant environments, lower energy and water consumption levels, reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Moreover, all LEED-certified buildings demonstrate environmental commitment and responsibility of the building owner. Additionally, buildings with LEED certification are entitled to various zoning allowances and tax rebates among other incentives.

Since the time of inception, LEED managed to cover over 14,000 projects in the US and thirty nations across the world encompassing a development area of over 99 km² (1.062 billion square feet).

Individuals recognized for the knowledge of LEED rating are allowed to utilize the acronym, LEED Accredited Professional (AP), indicating such individuals’ clearance of the accreditation exam conducted by a third-party organization, Green Building Certification Institute.

Starting from 1994 to 2006, LEED developed into a comprehensive rating system setting overall six standards, covering all aspects of building development as well as construction.

Today, LEED is striving to accomplish the following tasks:

• Establish common standards of measurement to define “green building”

• Promote clean, integrated and whole-building designing

• Encourage green competition, and

• Advertise green building benefits

LEED Drawbacks

---

LEED is only a measurement system and not a designing tool. Most builders, in search of eco-friendly designing tools gain little from LEED.

LEED is not climate-specific. Some efforts are underway with the latest version, hopeful of addressing the issue successfully.

Buildings with LEED certificate find difficulty in penetrating the small as well as mid-major construction markets.

LEED rating is insensitive to conditions prevailing in local environments. Higher costs needed for LEED compliance and certification deters many builders from obtaining the certification. Instead builders find it more convenient and cost-effective to invest in implementing additional green design strategies.

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leadership_in_Energy_and_Environmental_Design http://green.wikia.com/wiki/LEED_Certification