5 Benefits of Getting LEED Certified
Written By AD&V®
ABOUT THE AUTHOR | AD&V® is dedicated to advanced and energy-efficient sustainable architecture & interior design that enhances people’s experience of the world and improves their lives.
LEED CERTIFICATION HELPS CREATE A BETTER WORLD FOR PEOPLE AND THE PLANET.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is an internationally recognized certification system that verifies the strategies employed by a building or community intervention to improve environmental performance.
Its rating provides a flexible and straightforward framework for healthy, efficient, and cost-effective building and community interventions. Learn about some of the benefits of getting LEED certified:
1. HELP THE PLANET
LEED certification can help new and existing buildings implement sustainable and greener strategies to become high-performing buildings. A 2014 UC Berkeley study found that by building to LEED standards, facilities contributed 50% fewer GHGs (greenhouse gases) than conventionally constructed buildings due to water consumption, 48% fewer GHGs due to solid waste, and 5% fewer GHGs due to transportation.
LEED-certified buildings use green materials, implement sustainable strategies, help reduce pollution and improve outdoor air quality in major industrialized areas, making LEED a critical tool in reducing global climate change.
2. BUILD EFFICIENTLY & DECREASE OPERATIONAL COSTS
LEED is the world leading green building project and performance management system. LEED-certified buildings implement sustainable strategies that efficiently conserve the building’s energy and consumption resources. These strategies permit management to prioritize building efficiency and decrease operational costs.
3. CREATE A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT
LEED-certified buildings provide healthy environments with improved indoor air quality, access to daylight, and free from harmful chemicals in paints and finishings. Healthy environments are beneficial to building users since they help reduce respiratory allergies, depression, and stress, leading to self-reported productivity improvements. Employers in LEED-certified spaces report higher recruitment and retention rates and increased employee productivity.
LEED-certified buildings create healthier spaces that enhance human health and the quality of life for communities.
4. INCREASE A PROJECT’S VALUE
LEED is a holistic system that doesn’t simply focus on one element of a building, such as energy, water, or health; instead, it considers the big picture, factoring in all the critical elements that work together to create the best building possible.
LEED certification provides a comprehensive framework for green building design, construction, operations, and performance that ultimately increases any project’s value.
5. GAIN A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
LEED certification is the world's most widely used green building rating system and a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership. This recognized symbol can provide companies and businesses a competitive advantage since it shows that they care and invest in their people and their planet.
More importantly, LEED-certified projects have a high success rate and are preferred by clients and investors.
MUCH MORE THAN A CERTIFICATION
As you can see, LEED projects are critical to addressing climate change and meeting ESG goals while enhancing resilience, and supporting more equitable communities. Getting LEED certified also increases the value and environmental integrity of a project.
With LEED, you will make a difference and set an example for others.
FURTHER READING: 11 STEPS TO GETTING YOUR PROJECT LEED CERTIFIED