According to The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Certification (LEED), “In the US, buildings account for 38 percent of all CO2 emissions.” LEED works to reduce environmental and societal impact of current buildings by reducing energy use, water use, and improving air quality through proper planning.  

Certification is aimed at new and innovative construction projects but can also be applied to existing buildings. It works by assessing 9 key areas to develop a score. Those 9 areas include:

• Integrative process
• Locations and transportation
• Sustainable sites
• Water efficiency
• Energy and atmosphere
• Materials and resources
• Indoor environmental quality
• Innovation
• Regional priority

A project will in a LEED rating based on the score it receives. The areas vary from:

• Certified
• Silver
• Gold
• Platinum

The certification also boasts increased home value, marketability, cost effectiveness, and an improved happiness factor for those working or living within the building.

 

References

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