LEED Version 4: Transformation through Transparency, Health, and Achievement
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This presentation seeks to bring awareness of LEED version credits and concepts from a high level overview perspective. It would be impossible to cover all the LEED changes in one hour so this discussion will highlight the major thought changes that drive the newest LEED version 4: Transformation through increased Transparency and Innovation.
Understand the changes LEED Version 4 is making to the rating guides, in particular Building Design and Construction and Interior Design and Construction Assess the impact that the transformational nature of LEED version 4 is having on high performance buildings. Assist LEED practitioners with recognizing the newly added credits and their impact on high performance buildings. Evaluate new tools employed by the rating guides that provide transparency and achievement and how they can lead to credit attainment.
LEED version 4: an Evolution of High Performance Building Practices
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IN this first section of the presentation, we will focus on the evolutionary nature of the LEED rating program in it’s newest iteration, version 4. Going beyond points and credits, this section will elaborate on credit changes, specifically the macro changes in direction and use of more informed data streams to create the buildings of the future. We will delve into where green building has been, where it is going, the opportunity available to the market, and how process improvements continue to raise the bar.
LEED version 4: More than points and credits?
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In 2012, over half the buildings that registered for LEED were outside the U.S> LEED projects in 147 countries around the world…. Almost 70% of the globe Every day 1.6 million SF of building space is certified to LEED—existing buildings outpacing new construction by 15 million SF. The GSA’s portfolio of Gold certified buildings consume 25% less energy and 11% percent less water than the avg comm’l building. 185,000 professional LEED credential holders. LEED projects are responsible for diverting over 80 million tons of waste from landfills, and that number is expected to grow to 540 million by 2030.
The Value of High Performance Buildings
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Earning LEED certification unlocks a building’s potential including: Assurance through 3rd party certification of building intended performance/operation as intended, highly efficient Performance through measurement against baselines ensuring continued improvement and savings in energy,water, waste Unrivaled Visibility as LEED is recognized around the Globe as premier mark of achievement in green buildings. By helping Businesses large and small, a lifetime of returns is expected. Since buildings cost less to operate, this frees up valuable resources to be used to create new jobs for a building owner and exxpand operations as well as invest in emerging technologies. Buildings that give back by increased property values, higher rental and occupancy rates. May also qualify for tax incentives and rebates. Community connectivity and stewardship through thoughtful planning and resource useage.
LEED version 4 Timely and Relevant: Encouraging Innovation Driving Technical Transformation
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Brief introduction of the 4 main goals of LEED program with deeper dive later in presentation. Each of these four tenets are the hallmark of an evolving program, one which seeks to serve the best in design, construction and operation of high performance buildings. By encouraging innovation, LEED hopes to raise the bar and make the new norm, better than ever. Innovation drives business, people and profit. In driving technical transformation, LEED is the force that helping infrastructure developed to support the leaders in the industry as innovate and create cutting-edge buildings, homes, and schools.
LEED version 4 Environmental Stewardship Social Responsibility
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And importantly, the goals of protecting the environment and each other have far reaching impact. Our continued use of resources at break neck speed cannot continue without consequences for now and the future. And as we will see in the upcoming slides, the increased focus on social responsibility and human health are evidenced by some of the new reporting tools and metrics driving sustainability. Human health, especially is seen as rising in importance in this version of LEED with the advent of the tool Health Product Declaration and the continued focus on minimizing product emissions in order to create spaces with healthier indoor air quality.
What’s coming next?
High Performance buildings of the future:
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Higher standards, are they attainable? Are they pushing us out of our comfort zone to realize a future brighter than we ever thought possible? The creation of high performance buildings has been an evolutionary process for the last 20+ years, where we have seen our understanding of impact on the environment/ resources/ and human health greatly increased as to the hazards and challenges before us. We have come to understand that energy and water use reduction is not all there is to high performance. We have seen our understanding of impact on the environment/resources/and human health greatly increased, as have the hazards and challenges before us. Let’s look at where we have been and where the opportunity lies in the future: Next slide
If it was easy…everyone could do it…
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So if it was easy, everyone would do it…right? High performance buildings were always a goal for those who strive for better environments in which to live, work and play. Designing them has required patience and education….alot of education. And so today, the rating programs require more thoughtful process calculations/ and reliance on vetted industry standards, certifications. As you see on the next slide, it is all about changing a building’s impact from negative to neutral and beyond….to positive impact…something LEED v 4 is driving hard to achieve through this latest update.
From impact reduction to positive outcomes:
Courtesy: USGBC 2013
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This graphic shows how the LEED program is evolving from minimizing negative environmental impacts to the present day where we are beginning to reach zero impact at the highest certification levels. The good news is that as these transformational changes begin to occur in our building materials, processes, and operations, our impact on the environment will continue to lessen and actually begin to become a force for positive impact. As an example, certain point gathering items in the LEED rating system such as low-emitting materials are becoming a requirement in codes and standards. An example of this is Blue Design: design that actually gives back to the environment/and inhabitants. Real life: a vegetative roof that not only prevents water runoff, but also grows fruits and vegetables that can be sold to inner city markets for those who do not have supermarket access.
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Green Building Industry Revenues
2013 Dodge Construction Green Outlook
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So having presented what has happened in the past, let’s look to the potential for sustainable buildings and products. Growth in the green market is going to more than double in the next 4 years, while revenue will continue with double digit growth through 2017. So manufacturers cannot say, there is no money in green. Green is the way to green!
Green Building Industry Demand
Globally, 51% of firms say they expect about 2/3 of their projects to be green by 2015 – nearly double the percentage reporting that expectation in 2008. Turner Construction Green Building Market Barometer.
Green renovation work is expected by 50% of firms worldwide. McGraw Hill 2012 World Green Building Trends.
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And, design firms tell us that nearly 2/3 of their projects will be green by 2015 and green renovations are anticipated by half of all firms worldwide. The global spread of sustainability is on FIRE!!
What is the opportunity for green construction?
2013 Dodge Construction Green Outlook
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The Green Building market has grown tremendously from $10 B in 2005 to $85 B in 2012, with expectations of reaching $200 billion by 2016. 2013 Dodge Construction Green Outlook Over the five years to 2017, revenue for the Green and Sustainable Building Industry is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 22.8%, hitting nearly $288 billion in 2017. IBISWorld Top Ten Fastest-Growing Industries, Lauren Setar and Matthew MacFarland, April 2012. Globally, 51% of firms say they expect about 2/3 of their projects to be green by 2015 – nearly double the percentage reporting that expectation in 2008. Turner Construction Green Building Market Barometer. Green renovation work is expected by 50% of firms worldwide. Currently, at least 100 projects are registered under the LEED v4 beta program.
“ I believe sustainability will be part of what we define as “good design.” Good design considers environmental impact. That is where design is going.”—Steve Bishop, IDEO
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Of course we want to know what the visionaries are thinking about sustainability and above we have several quotes that indicate the importance of good product design and thoughtful use of environmental resources. Notice that each of these quotations speaks to good design as important to the environment and that transparency is important to evaluation of products but that achievement via certifications that actually hold products to stringent standards will always be most important.
“Sustainability requirements for building materials are constantly evolving, and manufacturers need a partner they can trust to guide them through it.” Sara Greenstein, President, UL Environment
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Read from slide: a quote from UL Environment’s President, Sara Greenstein.
For purchasers the environment trails only product quality and safety as a desired manufacturer improvement
Priority of Product Improvements
19% Safety
16% Environmental friendliness
14% Innovation
9% Design
The Product Mindset 2012, UL
42% Quality
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Innovation and environmental friendliness is what purchasers desire in improved products today, after safety and quality. It makes sense that a product must perform, and be safe to use, yet even more than design aesthetics (physical beauty), creating cutting edge products that don’t impact the environment in a negative way is seen as important by 30% of those surveyed.
Technical Transformation through Innovation
Courtesy: USGBC 2013
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Reading from left to right, in LEED 2009 we saw a more foundational approach to what would become the future of LEED. And this is the evolution of LEED in version 4. AS seen in the graph earlier, this shows how foundational concepts become the norm and innovation and technical expertise drive any system forward. By introducing a number of new programs, terms, and concepts that are likely unfamiliar to most, LEED is broadening the knowledge base of builders of high performance environments.
Increasing Transparency: Accessible information
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So as we move from foundational to transformational, and we discover that it is more than just points and credits, What exactly do we mean? It’s all about getting more information and data streams on which to base decisions. It offers fairness to all manufacturers, big or small who provide readily available data. Market demand for transparency will lead to product optimization because manufacturers will want to present their products in the most favorable light, and secondly, since transparency is in its infancy, LEED can help create data streams on which better tools can be built. Raising the bar for greener buildings also raises the bar for greener products. A third-party certified EPD adds value in that it provides the transparency and the market leadership that high performance programs like LEED seek. Certifications provide a measure of achievement which makes the decision making process easier for people to “see into” a product’s attributes.
Driving technical Transformation through Innovation
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New credits and new programs, expanded types of buildings being certified (ex: data centers) reliance on newly updated standards, programs, means that raising the bar on technical excellence is key goal for LEED. The new credit Integrative Process seeks to drive design teams to think about multiple scenarios before deciding on a final plan.
Making open-endedness a good thing
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Credit interpretations continue to be encouraged and thereby expanding the knowledge base for each program. Additionally, minor amendments can be added regularly. Therefore, LEED will not have to wait for the next full development cycle to revise certain credits. Additionally, with the new programs being promoted, come additional compliance paths. For example, with the MR credit for EPDs, under Option 1, there are 3 types of reports that may be used and then adds a 4th option, a USGBC approved program. This is the way a program that seeks to increase knowledge works; better information, from multiple sources.
Encouraging more informed decision making: Welcome the EPD
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To encourage better environmental performance, you must start with reliable data, and more the better. Once mfrs provide EPD data, then project teams can use the EPDs to make better informed choices about aspects such as energy, water, and carbon usage. We are stewards of the environment and we know that resource depletion and acidification are concerns for the entire globe.
Who’s Invited ? Market Sectors
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What: Commercial buildings, new construction, homes, healthcare, schools, existing buildings. All are impacted by the newest version of LEED. Some of the largest opportunities lie in markets that are still developing for example data centers and warehouses. Further, the products that go into all buildings are integral to putting a high performance space together.
Who’s Invited: LEED practitioners Developers Design Professionals Construction Professionals
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Who: LEED Aps, developers, A&D professionals, Construction LEED aps: as they interpret the guidelines and implement the strategies and credits Developers: who find new ways to create built environments that are positive in their impact Designers: Who will make these environments come to life and specify the materials to be used. Construction Professionals: Who must find new and better ways to create these buildings using new materials, with new guidelines, for new purposes.
Climate Change Human health Water Resources Biodiversity Green Economy Community Natural Resources
20%
15%
35% 10%
5% 5%
10%
Impact Categories Percentage of credits that
impact:
Courtesy USGBC 2013
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This pie chart shows the credits that are most frequently impacted by the changes in LEED v.4 . You can see that Climate change and human health are at the top with water resources in third place. These 3 total 70% of the credits addressed in LEED v 4. Important to note and for discussion later in the presentation…human health….this topic has become increasingly more important as we understand the impacts of the built environment on our bodies.
Significant Program Simplified: EBOM Establishment Performance
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The Existing Buildings Program is highlighted here because it is the fastest growing sector in LEED. Worthy to note that the EBOM program is streamlined in v4 into 2 sections: One, Establishment of building components and polices and two, performance through actions and tracking. In this new version, the formerly confusing and somewhat convoluted credits are more easily understood and actionable.
What’s New in Version 4?
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The next several slides take a 30,000 feet look at the major changes in LEED v 4 and new credits added. We will breeze through all of the major credit categories (excluding Innovation and Regional credits) to elucidate the high points.
Credits: Integrative Process: Early analysis of energy and water systems Credit Category: Sustainable Sites Site Assessment: early determination of impact
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The Integrative Process credit is essentially a codification of processes that project teams use to analyze their opportunities early in design process before choices are made that could have cost impacts of a negative nature. In Sustainable Sites: This credit goal is to better assess the impact that the building will have on the site considering water use, runoff, vegetation, energy resources, to inform design of site conditions.
Credit Category: Water Efficiency: Outdoor Water Use reduction: (P) reduction of 30% using EPA tool Cooling tower water use: analyze source and use of water Water Metering: sub-metering at least 2 end uses
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In this credit category: Outdoor water use reduction requires a reduction in landscape water used by 30% using the EPA’s WaterSense Water Budget Tool or no irrigation. This is a prerequisite or required. Cooling tower water use: Encourages projects to analyze water sources and maximize water cycles through the use of cooling towers. Water metering: rewards projects for submetering at least two end uses of water, for example irrigation and indoor facility use.
Credit Category: Energy and Atmosphere: Building level Energy Metering (P) Advanced Energy Metering Demand Response
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In this credit category: Building level energy metering: is new pre-requisite which requires each project to be capable of measuring whole building energy useage over specified timeframe. Advanced Energy Metering: Requires all energy en-uses that represent 10% or more of the total energy consumption of the building to be metered. And those meters must be connected to the building automation sytems and log data at appropriate levels. Demand Response: encourages projects to install systems necessary to participate ina demand response program and this is added to the commissioning scope of work.
Credit Category: Materials and Resources Construction & Demo Waste Mgmt Planning (P) Building Product Disclosure and Optimization - EPDs Building Product Disclosure and Optimization -Sourcing of Raw Materials Building Product Disclosure and Optimization -Material Ingredient Reporting
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Materials and Resources Credits: Construction and Demolition Waste Management Planning: new prerequisite that requires setting a project target for waste management and reporting waste diversion rates. Building Product Disclosure and Optimization has 3 credits for the BD&C and ID&C programs: EPD—addresses transparency about environmental impacts across a product’s lifecycle. Most credible EPD’s are third-party certified. Sourcing of Raw materials– addresses transparency in raw material sourcing and selecting mateials that have been appropraiately sourced. Local criteria is also awarded. Material Ingredient Reporting– transparency in material ingredients and introduces the use of programs like the HPD Collaborative, Cradle 2 Cradle, and others. Local criteria and supply chain optimization are also rewarded.
Indoor Environmental Quality added: Interior Lighting: which incorporates controls requirements from previous credit called “Controllability of systems”. Option addresses lighting quality. Acoustic Performance: new credit except in Schools and Healthcare to address noise levels, speech privacy and sound isolation as well as other issues related to sound containment.
EQ credit 2—Low- emitting materials: • VOC emissions in
addition to content
• TVOC required disclosure
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EQ credit 2 now shows a shift toward more sophisticated and complex modeling tools and more performance testing. Now, all indoor materials must be tested by manufacturers for VOC emissions and wet- applied products like paints and adhesives must be tested for both emissions and VOC content. Total VOC testing and reporting are required from manufacturers in addition to individual VOC emissions tesing and reporting. Referenced Standards: composite wood products must now meet one of the most stringent standard for formaldehyde emissions testing –CARB ULEF standard. Also, the ANSI/BIFMA emissions testing standard for furniture has been added along with a variety of international standards. As for TVOC ( total of VOCs) :Manufacturers’ claims of compliance with the requirements must also state the range of total VOCs after 14 days (336 hours), measured as specified in the CDPH Standard Method v1.1: 120. This will illuminate the problem of one particularly offensive chemical skewing the results. 0.5 mg/m3 or less; between 0.5 and 5.0 mg/m3; or 5.0 mg/m3 or more.
LEED version 4
Category Threshold Emissions and Content requirements
EQ Credit 2—Low Emitting Materials
Interior paints and coatings
≥ 90% by volume for emissions; 100% for VOC content
General Emissions Evaluation; VOC content requirements for wet applied
Interior adhesives and sealants applied on site
90% by volume for emissions; 110% for VOC content
General Emissions Evaluation; VOC content requirements for wet applied
Flooring 100% General Emissions Evaluation
Composite wood 100% Composite Wood Evaluation
Ceilings, Walls, thermal, and acoustic insulation
100% General Emissions Evaluation
Content and Emissions in LEED VERSION 4: EQ CREDIT IMPACTS
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This chart illustrates the changes that have taken place in LEED version 4. A big step forward in making emissions as important as content for many products. This is just 6 of the major categories where emissions requirements are based on standards such as: General Emissions criteria is California Dept of Public Health CDPH version 1.1-2010 Composite wood emissions Evaluation is “no added urea formaldehyde” Furniture Evaluation is BIFMA standard.
Version 4 will now use a revision of previous tool,—California Dept of Public Health Standard Method v1.1-2010 to the abandonment of California Section 01350. Three separate credits from LEED 2009 have been combined into one, and the credit for no added urea-formaldehyde in some materials has been eliminated. The modeling will include an office environment, as well as a classroom in accordance with the CDPH v1.1-2010 standard.
Why Focus on IAQ and Occupant Health?
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The compelling evidence is that building occupant health is most affected by IAQ issues even more than ergonomic ones. $64B a year loss productivity and healthcare costs related to poor indoor air quality in commercial buildings.( CDC, 1999). Additionally, IAQ problems are the number one reason why tenants vacate a space, not rent increases. (BOMA, 2011). Gregory Katz did a study of IAQ and ROI and found that while energy and water have savings per square foot of less than $2.00, IAQ had ROI savings of nearly $57 per square foot. This is not surprising given that you breath in and out more than 25,000 times per day! How to overcome this problem, by testing the air and knowing the Total of VOCs (TVOC) limit, prevents issues where accumulated chemicals that individually may have been below a threshold, but now in aggregate create a total VOC problem; LEED now addresses this issue. And with the help of certifications for low VOC and chemical emissions like GREENGUARD and GREENGUARD Gold, manufacturers can comply with the requirements of LEED v 4 IEQ credits mentioned here through certification of their products in this program.
How do we get there? Road map to Transparency, Health and Achievement
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Product disclosure and more standards bases, use of more authentic data certifications. It will take all three to move our buildings to the greener buildings we envision for the future. EPD’s are objective disclosures of a products impacts on the environment across its lifecycle Benefit of transparency is that it will help to drive down product costs, increase safety of products as manufacturers strive to create the best product possible.
How do we get there? Driving Transformation through Innovation:
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New credits such as Integrative Process credit will require project teams to evaluate their opportunities early in the design process , focusing specifically on energy and water. Lighting levels and energy consumption models are examples. Location and transportation credit category added to BDC, IDC, and O&M from Homes and ND programs which will assess the importance of larger scale land use issues. And will now allow Sustainable Sites to focus on project site requirements. Credits that require enhanced focus on outcomes: Ex: rainwater mgmt, whole building LCA, chemicials of concern, spatial daylight autonomy, acoustic performance also are transforming our buildings.
How do we get there? Open-endedness is a Good Thing….
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The Building Product Disclosure and Optimization credit for EPD offers 3 types of reports as options and even a 4th category for USGBC approved programs Introduction of Health Product Declaration (HPD) and Building LCA to create better data streams that can more accurately measure true environmental, human health impacts of buildings and products. Continued use and encouraged participation in the CIR process to evolve as wrinkles are ironed out.
How do we get there? Better Performance through Reliable Data
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This is the ultimate goal; tools to accomplish this include EPDs for products, which allow for more informed choices across the 7 environmental criteria and Building LCAs which provide performance benchmarks. The USGBC’s website states: “Once you establish a bench mark for optimal operations, you are able to measure the ongoing performance of your building, ensuring you continue to save energy, water, money and other critical resources year after year.”
Credit Impacts in Real Time: A Deeper Discussion
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Let’s now take some time to dig into the impact of some of the new MR credits and understand their impact on the whole design specification process. IN doing so, we will elaborate on these new tools like EPDs, HPDs, and certifications like ones for low-VOC emissions such as UL Environment’s GREENGUARD, as well as Multi-attribute certifications such as ECOLOGO , and others like WaterSense and Energy Star are central to the LEED process of transformation, transparency and human health emphasis.
The Common Thread:
Third party verification and or certification of findings/ results
MindClick 2010, SGM
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From this graphic the important connecting thread is that A&D is driving demand for disclosure, sustainability performance data, and standards bases for the products they use. LEED v 4 helps make access to that data easier for them.
What are these new tools? EPD’s HPDs
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EPDs are a type 3 Ecolabel according to ISO 14020 series and communicate a product’s impact on the environment across its lifecycle and address aspects such as : List the categories here: to be covered in depth in upcoming slide Global warming Ozone depletion Creation of photochemical smog Acidification Eutrophication Depletion of Abiotic resources Chemical hazards HPD’s : Health Product Declaration--Emphasize the use of them in MR credit 4 Option 1 (BD&C), this tool will disclose material ingredients to product users/specifiers for their evaluation. These declarations can be certified to a third party standard, yet most are self declared, and are the evolutionary tool for assessing impact on human health. they also convey details about product content and chemicals of concern, however, they don’t go far enough in making a risk assessment. It’s not just about what is in the product as it is what level of chemical in the product can potentially harm you.
Enhanced focus on Third party certification of claims Low VOC emissions Recycled content Rapidly renewable EPD Zero Waste
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With the technical transformation that is happening in this version, the use of ISO Type 1 ,2 and 3 certifications provide a toolkit for specifiers to use to create the complete approach to high performance built environments. Among these are tools that measure sustainable attributes such as VOC emissions—companies like UL Environment; SCS, are examples; focusedd on IAQ issues which affect productivity and retention among other things. EPDs- provide authenticity and transparency about a product and are third party certifications Recycled content and rapidly renewable: important attributes that can be measured and claims validated by third party organizations. Zero Waste– the importance of reducing our waste streams is a claim that can be validated as well. The key here is that the claim has been certified meaning substantiated or audited by an independent organization. This conveys credibility.
Multi-attribute certifications ECOLOGO Pilot Credit 80
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Continued from slide before: Multi- attribute certifications– communicate Lifecycle based product certification about environmental attributes to the marketplace. To achieve this type of certification, the product must meet some or all of the criteria in the following categories: materials, energy, mfg & operations, health and environment, product performance; product stewardship; innovation. Additionally, with the use of Pilot Credit 80, LEED is starting to incorporate other multi-attribute certifications into its portfolio such as BIFMA level program. These certifications are based on vetted standards. Examples are ECOLOGO certification; NSF 332 and others.
To accomplish the requirements of LEED: A resource toolkit
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Programs you need to know. Described here: Pharos—is a sustainability rating tool that rates a product on a spectrum from green to red, depending on its sustainable attributes that can span resourcing raw materials to chemical exposure impact on humans. They provide transparent and in-depth information about what is in building materials with comparative scores on environmental and health impacts. HPD Collaborative—this group launched the HPD Open Standard which enables transparent disclosure by defining the information that manufacturers should present so that fair comparisons can be made. Of course, “Full” means different things to different people so the Standard requires that manufacturers explicitly state the level of ingredient disclosure and provide a hazard profile for 100% of ingredients. GreenScreen—Based on large experimental datasets and regulatory red lists from around the globe, the GreenScreen divides chemicals into 4 benchmarks, the most hazardous being Benchmark1; most of these are PBTs or know carcinogens but others may receive this benchmark if they have similar characteristics. Cradle 2 Cradle: Certifies that products meet the programs requirements for “material health which are quite stringent at the higher levels of certification along with other criteria. It does not require public disclosure however. Sustainable Product Databases: Found in various sites, the best of these provide full array of products that have been certified, declared or validated by a credible third party testing organization such as UL or EPA. UL Environment provides a free resource for finding sustainably certified products. Educational Resources: LEED offers programs for continuing education through its GBCI affiliate and in cooperation with leading sustainability industry companies continues to encourage improvement in the design and construction of the high performance environment.
To accomplish the requirements of LEED: A resource toolkit
Sustainability
Environmental Product
Declarations
Multi-attribute Certifications
Environmental Claim
Validations Corporate
Sustainability
Single attribute certifications
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Starting at top and going clockwise: EPD—comprehensive overview of product’s impacts on environment over its lifecycle. Multi-attribute product certifications-- provide purchaser with multiple environmental attributes for comparison. Examples ECOLOGO, Level, NSF 332 Validations—allow the manufacturer to approach sustainability by validating claims such as recyclability; recycled content; VOC content; zero waste to landfill, among others. Corporate Sustainability– Assesses the entire company’s approach to sustainability from sourcing of materials, to production to end of life and waste. Single attribute claims– Can be very important such as VOC emissions; and works well with other certifications. For example a single attribute might be part of an EPD disclosure adding value to the process. Example: GREENGUARD Certification for Low-VOC emissions, VOC content—CDPH Standard Method-2010.
LEED Version 4 Credit impacted: (BD&C, ID&C) BD&C: MR Credit 2: Building Product Disclosure and Optimization—Environmental Product Declarations MR Credit 3: Building Product Disclosure and Optimization—Sourcing of raw materials ID&C: MR Credit 3 and MR Credit 4
EPDs—Impact on the Environment
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Since EPD’s are increasingly important in this version of LEED and at the heart of the most intensely debated credits, lets discuss how they are reflected in the MR section. Each of the credits that have either an LCA or EPD component are shown above.
So What Does it Mean?
MR credit 2: (MR credit 3 in ID&C) Option 1: EPD Use at least 20 different permanently installed products sourced from at least 5 different manufacturers that meet one of the following: Product Specific Declaration (LCA) ¼ of a product Industry-Wide** EPD (generic) ½ of a product Product Specific EPD 1 full product **To qualify for Industry wide: Manufacturer must be explicitly recognized as a participant by the program operator.
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Next few slides discuss the importance of EPDs and flesh out examples of industry v. product specific EPDs and impact. IN this slide we see how the a product with an EPD must comply with option one in order for credit; here, use of 20 different products from at least 5 different manufacturers that have either a product specific EPD, or industry wide EPD or an product specific LCA. Notice the caveat for industry participation
So What Does It Mean?
MR credit 2 BD&C ( MR credit 3 in ID&C) Option 2: Optimization--- comply with at least one of the following criteria : Third party certified products – demonstrated impact reduction below industry average in at least of 3 of 6 categories ( LCA /EPD) global warming potential
Depletion of ozone layer Acidification of water/land Eutrophication– pollution of water resources formation of ozone Depletion of nonrenewable resources
Value is determined as follows: 100% of cost for above criteria and 200% of cost if product sourced within 100 miles of project site.
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As part of that same credit, Optimization credit is given for products that demonstrate that they are below their industry average ( in this case a good thing) in at least 3 of the 6 LCA categories shown. And if sourced within 100 miles of the project site, can earn 200% of cost toward credit compliance. This part of the credit is clearly for companies who have invested in their products and want to show a leadership position.
So What Does It Mean?
MR credit 3: Sourcing of raw materials Option 1: Raw material source and extraction reporting (1 point) Option 2: Leadership extraction practices (1 point): Recycled content Bio based materials Wood products FSC Extended producer responsibility Materials reuse USGBC approved program
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For MR credit 3 Sourcing of Raw Materials—encourages the use of products and materials for which LCA information is available and that have environmentally, economically, and socially preferable life cycle impacts. Here again in Option 1: use of 20 different permanently installed products from at least 5 different mfrs that have publically released a report from their raw material suppliers which include extraction location, responsible land use, commitment to reducing environmental harms from extraction and mfrg For Option 2: manufacturers who show a leadership position by demonstrating Extended Producer Responsibility—(product takeback) and use bio-based materials, FSC certified wood, recycled content, rapidly renewable materials, can get additional credit.
MR credit 4: Material Ingredients (2 points) Option 1: Ingredient reporting (1 point) Option 2: Material Ingredient Optimization (1 point) Option 3: Supply chain optimization (1 point) *** can get only one point for Option 2 or option 3 even if you comply with both.
So What Does It Mean?
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In MR Credit 4: Material ingredients: this is where it gets interesting: 1 Option 1: products that have an HPD or Cradle 2 Cradle or GreenScreen which discloses chemical content information at 1000 ppm or less 2. Option 2: same as Optoin 1 except that the chemical ingredients at 100 ppm and have no Benchmark 1 hazards or C2C tiered achievement level Silver, Gold or Platinum with increasing valuation as you increase in level. Option 3: Supply Chain Optimization—basically extends and awards additional point for mfrs who have third party health, hazard and risk programs which document at least 99% of the ingredients used to make the building product and is extended through their supply chain. This is the deep dive for mfrs. Notice that you can only get 1 point for option 2 or 3 and not for both.
• Industry EPDs create value for the industry and set
benchmarks • Industry EPDs get ½ of a product credit; • Product specific EPDs enhance value by contributing more points to credit attainment • Product EPDs can get full product credit. Example: Product A: Product B Industry wide EPD Industry wide EPD Product Specific EPD Possible points: 2 Possible points: 1
Why does it matter?
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So here’s how that may play out in real-time. In the case of an EPD, more [points can be achieved if a product has not only an industry wide EPD but also a product specific EPD. Further it allows the mfr of the product specific EPD to demonstrate better than industry performance to the marketplace. A true leadership position.
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An EPD Quick Reference Tool: The EPD Transparency Brief
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This is an example of how an EPD document, which can be 20-40 pages of very technical information, can be reduced to 2 pages of the most pertinent information, known as a Transparency Summary. These are offered by a leading third party certification organization as a free tool. Here this document shows environmental impact categories in addition to standard upon which the declaration may be based and also energy sources and usage, use of recycled content or materials, and other certifications held by the product. A quick way to assess the environmental preferability of a product.
Why does it matter?
By encouraging and rewarding the use of products that provide transparency into their manufacture, certification of their performance to a standard and impact on the environment and human health, LEED is raising the bar
Sourcing of raw materials through supply chain optimization together with corporate sustainability reporting will improve creation and use of performance buildings.
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To summarize our discussion today related to Materials and Resources, LEED v 4 is transforming the marketplace for high performance buildings by encouraging the use of materials that disclose chemicals, are transparent in their manufacture and impact on the environment and are validated, or certified providing authenticity of claims.
Balance is necessary- Tools work together Transparency
Achievement
Health Impacts
EPD, HPD
GREENGUARD, FSC, WaterSense, ECOLOGO
The Future
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Here are some final thoughts on LEED v 4 and the transforming nature of the market. We look to three buckets that the market posits for manufacturers and design professionals. They are: the need for transparency, the importance of human health impacts and the credibility of achievement. We see that the EPD and HPD provide both transparency and disclosure of health impacts, but not necessarily achievement, while certifications like GG, FSC, WaterSense and ECOLOGO provide relevant information on health impacts and certify achievement to a standard, but don’t necessarily provide transparency. The intersection of all three is where the Transformational aspect of LEED will take the marketplace. It is up to the marketplace to set the new bar for sustainable achievement. All three are necessary.
