Introduction
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, set up by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), has dramatically impacted how we build sustainable and eco-friendly buildings. LEED rated buildings based on indoor environmental quality, water conservation, and energy efficiency and then awards points for each category. The system has four certification levels: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, each needing a specific number of points.
Getting LEED certified is no walk in the park. Buildings must be evaluated before, during, and after construction by Green Business Certification Inc. They look at water conservation, indoor environmental quality, energy efficiency, and renewable energy usage. A LEED certification makes a building more attractive to investors and adds value.
LEED isn’t just a one-size-fits-all thing. It covers different properties or projects like Building Design and Construction, Interior Design and Construction, Building Operations and Maintenance, Neighborhood Development, LEED for Homes, Cities and Communities, LEED Zero, and LEED Recertification. Each of these prioritizes different aspects of sustainability and community connectivity.
The USGBC’s Center for Green Schools is one such domain campaigning for the same, from promoting green schools to creating healthy, sustainable, and fair learning environments and working with schools to integrate sustainability into their systems and offer programs that make a real difference.
Challenges
While it may seem like an exciting and achievable goal, only a few K-12 schools have been able to obtain LEED certification. Below are some of the challenges that schools have faced in this process.
- Budgeting issues can often hinder schools from obtaining LEED certification due to limited funds. Investing in green features or upgrades can be costly, and some LEED requirements may increase initial costs. To overcome this, schools should seek grants, incentives, or donations from various sources and use life-cycle cost analysis to compare the benefits and costs of different options, ultimately choosing the most economical and sustainable options.
- Another challenge is gaining buy-in from staff and stakeholders for LEED certification, which requires physical and behavioural changes in the school community. Schools could communicate the benefits and goals of LEED certification, provide training and education, and empower staff and stakeholders to participate in decision-making and evaluation processes. Encouraging staff and stakeholders to share ideas and feedback is also essential.
- Site and climate constraints limit a school’s flexibility in obtaining LEED certification. To overcome these, schools must conduct a thorough site analysis, select the appropriate LEED rating system, and use innovative solutions like green roofs, rain gardens, passive solar design, or natural ventilation.
- The verification and documentation process for LEED certification can also pose challenges, involving rigorous design, construction, operation phases, and third-party verification by a professional or GBCI reviewer. Schools must plan, manage, and coordinate with their team members, online tools, and GBCI reviewers to overcome this.
Opportunities
The state of school facilities directly impacts the health of students and staff and the schools’ budgets. Extensive research shows that well-designed school buildings can significantly improve both the health of teachers and students and academic outcomes. Green schools provide numerous benefits, some of which are outlined below:
- Improved Indoor Air Quality
According to studies conducted by Carnegie Mellon University, over 20% of public schools in the US have reported poor indoor air quality. It’s been shown that improving indoor air quality can lead to a significant 41% increase in overall health. That’s why many green schools prioritize enhancing indoor air quality, as it is crucial for our health and well-being.
- Enhanced Academic Performance
More ventilation may help students maintain their concentration. Studies have demonstrated that learning in eco-friendly classrooms that offer ample natural light, improved acoustics, and non-hazardous materials can increase student exam performance by up to 20%. Additionally, research has revealed that green schools are linked to improved test scores, reduced disciplinary issues, and heightened student involvement.
- Reduced Carbon Emissions
Green schools significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions. In Los Angeles, constructing 34 new green schools would offset 94,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, equivalent to removing over 15,000 cars from the road or planting more than 280,000 trees.
- Lower Operating Costs and Water Use
Green schools can save 20% to 40% on energy and water operating costs, freeing up more money for essential resources like textbooks, computer labs, and teacher pay. Additionally, green schools typically use 32% less water. This reduction has significant positive effects on society, including less storm-water runoff and reduced transportation and treatment of wastewater.
While LEED Certification has opportunities to provide challenges to achieve the same, schools often need help to maintain it. However, building a sustainable environment and imparting knowledge to future generations is just as crucial. Therefore, there must be ways that the schools can come together and provide for their future without much hassle.
References:
- www.cim.io. (n.d.). The LEED Rating System explained. [online] Available at: https://www.cim.io/blog/the-leed-rating-system-explained#:~:text=LEED%2C%20which%20stands%20for%20%27Leadership.
- Center for Green Schools. (n.d.). Center for Green Schools. [online] Available at: https://centerforgreenschools.org/.
- www.linkedin.com. (n.d.). What are the biggest obstacles to achieving LEED certification for K-12 schools? [online] Available at: https://www.linkedin.com/advice/1/what-biggest-obstacles-achieving-leed-bhyve?trk=public_post_main-feed-card_feed-article-content
- GBRI (2020). LEED Schools – Why Green Schools Are So Important? [online] GBRI Online. Available at: https://www.gbrionline.org/leed-schools/.
