The Carbon Challenge
USGBC LEED - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design®
The LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings.
The LEED Green Building Rating System is comprised of a set of individual credits that can be pursued and credit requirement met to achieve this credit or point. A project must meet the requirements of a set number of credits in order to get LEED certified. There are four different levels of certification: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Each level of certification has a higher level of credits to achieve and subsequently a smaller environmental impact of the building design, construction, and operation.
The LEED® system has been evolving as it grows in popularity and scope. New Construction, Retail, Schools, Homes, Neighborhood Development, Hospitals, etc. all have specific LEED credit rating systems that correspond to each project types unique characteristics. The 3rd version of the LEED system, LEED 2009 or LEED v3, is in it's final development process and will be released for use in early 2009.
EcoLogistics is focused on bringing the LEED 2009 system to it's highest and best potential. Not only does EcoLogistics and the EcoMethod qualify you for multiple specific LEED credits, it creates a framework of information to more quickly and easily understand how to best meet the requirements of all credits within the LEED system.
How does the EcoMethod create a more streamlined LEED certification process?
EcoLogistics, through the EcoMethod, identifies and suggests efficiencies within the construction and development process. A more efficient process means less time, fewer resources used, and actual cost savings. By going through the EcoMethod process you get detailed information about your project site, surrounding areas, demographics, competitive climate, subcontractor and supplier profiles, and much more. This information creates a more streamlined LEED certification process. Sustainable Sites, Energy & Atmosphere, Materials & Resources, Innovation & Design Processes, all these credit categories and the individual credit decisions within these categories can be made quickly and easily with the information that you will already have at hand. The bottom line is, less time for research and information gathering means that your cost for LEED certification is reduced while ensuring that the implementation of each LEED credit you pursue has the lowest carbon impact possible and practical.
Are there specific LEED 2009 credits that I can achieve if I use the EcoMethod on my project?
Yes! The EcoMethod process will ensure that you have the best chance to receive Materials and Resource Credits 5.1 & 5.2 Regional Materials credits, and using the EcoMethod will likely add two Innovation & Design Process credits to your LEED score.
Materials & Resources Credit 5.1 & 5.2 Regional Materials, 10% & 20% Extracted, Processed & Manufactured Regionally:
The EcoMethod specifically looks at where your potential and best sources for materials, contractors, and services are located. The main rule of thumb is that the closer your resources are located, the better the efficiency, the lower the cost, and the lower the carbon emissions for your project. But we know that price also matters so we will help you understand each incremental opportunity and its associated costs or savings so that you can make the best decision for your project. The EcoMethod will insure that the greatest amount of materials are sourced as close the project as possible consistent with LEED requirements.
Innovation & Design Processes:
By using the EcoMethod you will understand the construction process as it relates to carbon emissions and other impacts. The LEED process does not specifically require that carbon and environmental impacts of construction be quantified, so creating the most carbon sensitive construction project you have qualified for being an innovator and should earn an Innovation & Design Processes credit.The EcoMethod can help you achieve a second Innovation & Design Processes credit by giving you the information to take your Regional Materials sourcing, as described above, to the next level. The improved information gleamed from this process can give you the best chance to source 30%, 40% or more of your materials within the LEED regional boundaries while still maintaining your budget.
In summary EcoLogistics will create a framework of project specific information that will reduce the cost of the LEED certification process. Less time spent means fewer hours billed. The EcoMethod also gives you significant additional traction on four specific LEED credits by sourcing locally and being an innovator in the carbon reduction and sustainability process.