What are LEED green buildings?
April 22, 2010 By: Amruta Kshemkalyani

Hi Tribe, I want you all to get introduced to my profession. I am a Sustainability Consultant and one of my expertise is the design and construction of a sustainable built environment. While writing this article, I was working on a fantastic ‘Green building’ project in Abu Dhabi, Rosewood Hotel! In short, environmental conservation and raising social awareness is not just my passion, but it’s my profession too!

Till now, I had never mentioned Green buildings or the technical language of sustainability on the Sustainability Tribe because my intention behind this portal is especially to raise sustainability awareness in simple words to include everyone in society, irrespective of one’s knowledge about this subject. However, everyone is hearing about Green Buildings & has some funny misconception about it so it’s time to talk about it!

Introduction to Green Buildings

buildings resource consumption

First, we will get to know why green buildings? You might think, what’s wrong with our existing traditional buildings? So here are some facts and figures for you. When global CO2 emission is divided into sectors the highest contributor is buildings or built-in environment, the second is transportation and the third is industry. Shocking, right?

To reduce resource consumption, increase efficiency, and make the built environment more sustainable and livable, the Green Building movement was started in the 1960s.

These buildings are designed and constructed by following sustainable practices which reduce the adverse impacts on the environment, people’s health, and also they are cost-effective over the lifecycle.

LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design), developed by USGBC is a Green Building rating system established in the United States. Based on certain requirements and compliance, buildings are certified as ‘Green building’.

Here is a list of basic criteria under LEED Green Buildings,

1. Sustainable sites
2. Water efficiency
3. Energy
4. Materials
5. Environmental Quality

However, even if we build resource-efficient buildings where energy, water, etc are saved, or we find innovative technologies for energy-saving vehicles and energy-saving appliances; finally we are the ones who will use them. So I feel the change should start with us. We all need to follow a sustainable lifestyle in our own way to save the environment, get used to Green Habits & spread awareness about it!

Green Building Rating Systems

There are many green building rating systems and guidelines around the world. Especially to suit the regional environmental conditions and resource availability these rating systems vary. BREEAM, a popular green building rating system first established in the UK. Locally established to match UAE’s weather file, Estidama is another green building rating system and is also regulation for Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. There is a new green building rating system, launched in Dubai in 2018, ASASI. In India, there is a GRIHA rating system and in Australia, they have their own Green Star rating system. There are newer building standards that focus on occupant wellness like WELL certified or Healthy Buildings certificate.

You can find a list and information of almost all the Green Building Rating systems and tools around the world on the World Green Building Council website here.

Here is the poster I made to encourage my colleagues to follow Green Building requirements!

Benefits of Green Buildings

So now you have understood the basics of green buildings, but how does it matter to you? As a homeowner, investor, or even a renter it’s important to know the benefits of green buildings so that you can take an informed decision when it comes to property.

You can save on utility bills including water, electricity. Green buildings will give you lower costs of property management, maintenance, and operation cost.
Green buildings will provide you with a healthier space that can enhance occupant wellness, reduce stress, and can add to your happiness and productivity.
Green Buildings will lower your carbon footprint and reduce your contribution to climate change.
Green buildings can also last longer as they are designed by keeping durability in mind.
If you opt for a Greener Building then you might even help conserve biodiversity and the environment.

Here is your guide to selecting sustainable property if you can’t find a green building property.