Project Surroundings and Public Outreach

International Compliance Path

This is provided to assist global projects in achieving certification

What is a valid reason the firm could provide to convince the client why LEED buildings are beneficial?

LEED buildings provide a competitive differentiator. 61% of corporate leaders believe that sustainability leads to market differentiation and improved financial performance.

Regional priority credits are specific to:

LEED project type (schools, healthcare, data centers, etc.)

Each LEED project type may have different impacts so each rating system has its own RP credits. For example a warehouse may not have high priority for indoor water use if there are not a lot of occupants.

Regional Alternative Compliance Paths

These options address different geographic and climactic regions while providing solutions to challenges faced by projects at a regional level. The first of these to be released are the Regional Alternative Compliance Paths for projects using LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance in Europe.

When a 'local equivalent' is specified as an alternative to a LEED referenced standard for a project's locality, to be acceptable the local equivalent:

-Must be widely used and accepted by industry experts

-Must meet the credit's intent leading to similar or better outcomes

How can the public relations and marketing value of LEED benefit a project?

LEED projects have higher lease-up rates and higher property values than non-green buildings.

A lease-up rate for green buildings typically average 20% above average.

A recent study of the San Diego market showed that the overall vacancy rate for green buildings was 4% lower than for non-green properties—11.7%, compared to 15.7%—and that LEED-certified buildings continued to command the highest rents.

Who is responsible for identifying regional priorities?

Because some environmental issues are particular to a locale, volunteers from USGBC chapters and the LEED International Roundtable have identified distinct environmental priorities within their areas and the credits that address those issues.

A project team is reviewing potential sites in an urban area. What strategy will help in maintaining and enhancing the character of the community?

LT Credit High-Priority Site rewards projects for building in historic districts, where projects can help maintain the community character.

How does LEED encourage focusing on regional issues?

Regional priority credits

Regional priority credits are bonus points projects can earn by addressing environmental concerns (water shortages) and environmental assets (abundant sunlight) in their areas.

Some of the ways a site assessment could influence the design?

Locating buildings based on view corridors, transportation infrastructure, and adjacent properties;

Incorporating natural ventilation by utilizing prevailing winds and seasonal wind patterns while also considering noise and air pollution sources;

Optimizing on-site rainwater management based on soil types and existing vegetation.

What challenge do low-income communities face with vacant or underutilized sites?

LT Credit High-Priority Site rewards projects for building in priority designations. The sites may have the perception that they would not be good site locations because of the low-income community.

Instructional Initiatives for IN Credit

For an education program at least 2 initiatives must be included and they must be ongoing.

Examples:

-Comprehensive signage program throughout the project to educate occupants about the benefits of sustainable buildings

-Case study highlighting the successes of the LEED BD+C project that could be used for other building projects

-Weekly guided tours about sustainability using the project as an example

Promoting the design and construction of green schools results in:

Higher performing students

-Studies show improved test scores for green schools

Regional priority credits are specific to:

LEED project type (schools, healthcare, data centers, etc.)

Each LEED project type may have different impacts so each rating system has its own RP credits. For example a warehouse may not have high priority for indoor water use if there are not a lot of occupants.