OVERVIEW
The LEED Rating Systems make up a voluntary program meant to objectively measure how sustainable a building is in several key areas:
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impact on site and location
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water efficiency
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energy efficiency
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material selection
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indoor environmental quality
The system also encourages innovation.
The LEED standards are maintained by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a nonprofit, non-governmental, membership-based organization. While participation in LEED is voluntary, the program owes some of its growth to municipal and state ordinances that have mandated it for public buildings and have offered incentives for private buildings.
IN-DEPTH
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Health Product Declaration Collaborative Teams Up with USGBC
News Brief
A strategic partnership between HPDC and the U.S. Green Building Council aims to scale material transparency.
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The Sustainable Spec Language You Should Be Using
Blog Post
Selecting the greenest products doesn’t do any good unless strong specifications support your choices. Here’s some language you can use.
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Protect Your Spec: 14 Strategies
Feature Article
You’ve selected the ideal materials for your project: now get them into the building.
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The Great Eight: High-Impact Material Choices for Green Building
Feature Article
We’re at a tipping point in insulation, flooring, textiles, and other product categories. Here’s what to spec and what to avoid.
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A Net-Zero Certification from USGBC
News Brief
To earn USGBC’s Net Zero designation, buildings must be LEED certified and can choose among net-zero energy, water, waste, or carbon.
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LEED v4 Tips from Early Adopters: Earn High Ratings Without Added Costs
Feature Article
You can avoid lower LEED v4 scores and keep costs in check. Here’s how—including the pitfalls you need to watch out for.
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Finding Products for LEED v4-A Guide
Feature Article
That complicated new Materials and Resources section of LEED v4 that we debated for years? It's here. Are you ready?
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New Concepts in LEED v4
Feature Article
Past versions of LEED have helped make FSC and other concepts practically household terms. Where is LEED v4 taking the green building conversation next?
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Energy-Efficient Multifamily Housing
Feature Article
Now you can get LEED, Energy Star, and other labels for designing or retrofitting high-performance multifamily buildings.
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Measuring Energy Use in Buildings: Do Our Metrics Really Add Up?
Feature Article
How much energy our buildings use matters a great deal, but figuring out how to measure that use and compare it from building to building is tricky. Here's a guide to key metrics and how to use them.
