With rising global temperatures and melting ice caps, looking for ways to protect our environment has become a priority. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is the world’s most widely used green building rating system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) which, within the last 20 years, has become the international standard for the design, construction and operation of high-performance structures.
India is one of only a few countries to become an international leader in green building and sustainability. Following behind China and Canada, India impressively ranks third place in the USGBC’s top ten countries making significant strides in sustainable building design, construction and market transformation. In fact, by 2018 USGBC have predicted that green building will have risen in India by 20 percent.
LEED spaces use fewer energy and water resources, save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce carbon emissions; and prioritize environmental and human health.
Spaces must meet these 8 categories in order to achieve LEED credits.
China is ranked first with 34.62 million growth square metres (GSM), followed by Canada with 34.39 million GSM and India with 15.90 GSM. These countries in particular represent the ever-growing international demand for LEED certified buildings. The president and CEO of USGBC said:
“By recognizing these leading countries, we are showcasing the exponential growth of LEED in the global marketplace and an international commitment to the creation of a sustainable built environment.”
With buildings currently accounting for an estimated one-third of our global emissions, LEED issues are more politically important than ever before. Green buildings provide the most cost-effective solutions to climate change because they have significant environmental and societal economic benefits. Officially launching at last year’s Annual Greenbuild Conference, LEED v4 is the newest version and the future of LEED.
USGBC are also upping the ante with a more flexible, performance-based approach that calls for measurable results collected throughout a building’s life cycle. LEED v4 will allow for a more streamlined user experience and more goal-orientated credits.
Scot Horst, Senior Vice President of LEED at USGBC said:
“LEED v4 is the LEED of the future as we challenge the marketplace to go further to make the next great leap toward better, cleaner, healthier buildings where people live and work.”
With the profile of world environmental issues significantly raised in recent media reports, let’s take a look at India’s first Gold certified LEED v4 project:
Group 10 Technologies
As a global technology and business-consulting firm, Group 10 Technologies in Gurgaon, India, created an energy efficient office space specifically designed to motivate its workers. The open plan design incorporating large surrounding windows, draws the spectacular views into the office space for workers to enjoy during their long 8-10 hour shifts at work as well as reduce their lighting power consumption by 30%. The office is also filled with greenery and painted with bright colours, creating a cheerful and vibrant atmosphere.
The company wanted to illustrate their commitment to sustainable movements by opting for the latest and most stringent certification and therefore followed LEED v4 guidelines to showcase their company as an enterprise that professes, practices and encourages green building designs. The company managed to create a design that used less water and fewer natural resources as well as create a healthy environment for employees.
Conferences such as Green Build provide the latest information on LEED buildings, bringing industry leaders, experts and frontline professionals together to celebrate and promote sustainable buildings. This year, the event will make its debut in Mumbai, India, from the 2nd – 11th November (if you’re there why not say hi to the guys on the Flowcrete India stand).
*Photos courtesy of USGBC
