Developed by the US Green Building Council and launched in 1998, LEED is a program of assessment systems for sustainable building projects, with certification by a third party. LEED was developed from other systems such as the UK’s Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method. This voluntary program provides an approach to design, construct, manage and evaluate high-performance buildings and applies to the vast majority of project types, including the development of sustainable neighborhoods and housing projects. The objective is to reduce the negative impacts of the built environment through a market transformation tool. The importance of these matters because of Green Exam is essential there.
The Management of LEED in Canada
In Canada, LEED is managed by the Canada Green Building Council, which mainly adapts the American versions to the local context and to the Canadian market, under the name LEED Canada. This also offers other programs such as Cape Verde (Green Up) and the Living Building Challenge. As of January 2013, over 2,600 projects have registered for LEED Canada.
- In India, for example, the system is administered by the India Green Building Council, which also offers other certification programs other than LEED, such as the IGBC Green Homes Rating System. for homes and the IGBC Green Factory Building rating system for manufacturing plants.
- Today there are more than 80 green building councils in the world, at different stages of development, under the leadership of the World Green Building Council. As of January 2013, at the USGBC alone, almost 13,000 projects had registered for the LEED program.
The Application of the Certification
If LEED certification applies to projects, LEED professional accreditation is aimed at individuals, according to three levels of expertise. The Green Building Certification Institute is the organization mandated to manage the LEED professional accreditation system worldwide. As of January 2013, the GBCI lists more than 100,000 LEED accredited professionals (LEED PA), all levels combined. In the Green Associate Exam this is important.
LEED certification means committing to affixing a quality seal to new construction. The certification process is simple, fast and well suited to residential construction. For homeowners, LEED Canada for Homes allows a third party to validate the integration of sustainable practices in the construction of their building. For builders, this certification makes it possible to formalize the sustainable and environmental aspects of their housing projects.
Which buildings?
For new dwellings, or which is the subject of a major renovation, of the type, single-family, multi-dwelling, townhouse. Mixed-use buildings of which more than 50% of the area is for residential use are also eligible.
Why?
LEED Canada for Homes certification helps reduce the ecological footprint of a home, save on energy costs, and improve the durability and comfort of occupants. Here are some supporting figures:
- Save 30% to 70% on the energy bill.
- Reduce construction waste by 50%.
- Save water consumption by 50%.
- Reduce the content of pollutants in the air in your home by 50%.
- Take advantage of discounts and special programs.
- Increase the property value of the housing unit.
- Limit the ecological footprint.
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
