What is LEED®?
If you’ve checked out newer developments in the city as a buyer or investor, you’ll notice a few promoting themselves as “LEED®” certified. So what’s that mean?
With increasing interest in environmentally friendly products and services, developers and construction companies have also begun to take an initiative in opting for materials and design that are less damaging to the environment in their construction phase and in the long term. While some simply adopt a few more environmentally friendly practices, others adapt to a standard known as LEED®.
LEED® stands for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, and is recognized for the Green Building Rating System™. This side of the border, LEED® standards are set by The Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC). Several aspects of design and building must meet these standards. There are 6 categories by which these are monitored.
- Sustainable Sites
- Water Efficiency
- Energy and Atmosphere
- Materials and Resources
- Indoor Environmental Quality
- Innovation & Design Process
To become LEED® certified, the building must meet the standards in a rating system awarding points which accumulate to a score that can be one of the following: certified, silver, gold or platinum.
Some examples of buildings that are LEED candidates include VERVE and James Cooper Mansion.
