5 min
Benefits of the New Requirements
1 - Driving Progress in a More Global Perspective of Sustainable Development
Adopting global thinking helps to better design, build and operate a sustainable building at all stages of its life. Focusing on the global environmental and social impact of the building as well as the materials helps determine the strategic areas to be prioritized for all stakeholders at all levels.
2 - Reinforcing the Role of the Product or Material Manufacturer in Reducing the Impact of the Building
Producing sustainable building materials must be done in a way that goes beyond sustainability standards over time. In other words, in order for these solutions to be sustainable, the manufacturer must be active in improving their overall social, environmental and economic performance in terms of sustainable development.
For example, taking measures to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at the manufacturing step would first reduce the impact of the product, and then reduce the impact of the building as a whole.
3 - Building Bridges Between Industry Professionals
Cooperation is one of the principles contributing to the progress of sustainable development. Transparent declarations standardize the way information is shared and therefore facilitate common understanding and exchange.
For industry professionals committed to reducing the impact of buildings, it is clear that these transparent declarations encourage integrated design in the search for durable solutions.
4 - Stimulating Sustainable Building Learning
Access to knowledge is also one of the principles for clarifying the contribution of organizations to sustainable development. From improving practices to optimizing the performance specific to the operation of the building, the sustainable building sector will clearly continue to grow.
With all these changes, access to information is a real opportunity for learning but also for innovation for all stakeholders. This will make it easier for pioneer professionals to be more dynamic in order to improve management practices towards more ecologically and socially responsible behaviours.
Simply put, these four advantages show that the major changes to the LEED® standard consider the impact of the building as a whole, which adds a touch of consistency with several principles of sustainable development.
Contributing to the progress of the sustainable building sector, these transparency requirements will certainly simplify the work of change agents working to raise awareness or mobilize industry players towards responsible practices.