How does the LEED rating system address environmental justice and equity considerations in building design and construction, and influence property demand and market value of sustainable buildings

How does the LEED rating system address environmental justice and equity considerations in building design and construction, and influence property demand and market value of sustainable buildings

Aayan Kabra

Introduction

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) developed the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) grading system, a green building certification programme that is widely used. It offers a framework for evaluating and quantifying a building's sustainability performance, from design and construction to use and maintenance. Even though it was first developed by the USGBC, it is now the world most widely used green building rating system, LEED certification provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings, which offer environmental, social and governance benefits[1].It is very common to wonder why a construction firm would want to make their project LEED certified, especially if it might increase their costs and efforts significantly. But what people often don’t understand is that people are becoming increasingly environmentally conscious, and they would more readily agree to purchase a house in the building if it satisfies the criteria to be classified as a green building.

[1] https://www.usgbc.org/leed/benefits-leed