Decarbonizing the Built Environment Using The

LEED v4.1 Rating System

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
 Understanding what decarbonization is about and how our built
environment emits carbon.
 Understanding why it is important for us to decarbonize the built
environment and how the LEED v4.1 rating system helps.
 See which LEED v4.1 BD+C and ID+C Credits apply to decarbonization.
 Learn about the different methods used in the LEED v4.1 BD+C and ID+C
Rating system.

INTRODUCTION
The importance of decarbonizing the built environment cannot be over-
emphasized. Majorly, decarbonization helps to mitigate climate change and all the
negative effects and consequences that come along with it; reduce air pollution;
reduce fuel cost and over-dependence on fossil fuel; support the creation of more
equitable and healthier communities; amongst several other benefits.
The main objective of decarbonizing the built environment is to achieve carbon
neutrality, which is aimed at reverting to levels of CO2 naturally present in the
atmosphere before human intervention and actions.
It is important to note that focusing on decarbonizing our built environment
through carbon-negative construction, the use of the LEED v4.1 rating system,
alongside other approaches and measures, can help in achieving the much-desired
carbon neutrality.
DECARBONIZATION
Decarbonization refers to the process of reducing carbon intensity and lowering
the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by the burning of fossil fuels
[1]. It is primarily concerned with reducing and eliminating carbon emissions
emanating from human activities.
The greenhouse effect is the natural process of how the sun warms the Earth’s
surface. When greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere which include
carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, and water vapor, trap the sun’s
heat, and warm the average global temperature, thereby causing it to rise,
ultimately resulting in global warming.
Carbon emissions are grouped under greenhouse gas emission that occurs when
human activities and processes release carbon into the atmosphere. Categorizing
them with other greenhouse gases shows that they are the most significant type of
emission in terms of quantity. As of 2017, carbon emissions comprised 82 percent
of all total greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S [ 6]
Carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels like coal, natural
gas, and oil, are burned alongside other biological materials like solid waste, trees,
etc.
Decarbonization has become a global agenda and a priority for most governments,
companies, and society at large, because of its importance in limiting global
warming. In line with this, many global companies across all industries that include
energy, transport, and consumer products, amongst others, have publicly declared
their intention to become carbon neutral by 2050.
In the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, nearly 200 nations committed to holding this
century’s average temperature to well below 2°C, as well as pursuing efforts to
limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, to reduce the
risk and negative impacts of climate change.
In practice, achieving this would require shifting from fossil fuels to alternative low-
carbon energy sources.
In response to the ambition of the 2015 Paris Agreement, many governments and
business leaders have set targets and made commitments to reduce carbon
emissions. In the UK for example, Changes have been made to include Paris’
pledge to ban diesel vehicles from 2040, and TfL schemes to introduce electric and
electric hybrid London buses and black cabs. Renewable energy sources are also
being implemented more widely.
It is important to note that more energy-efficient and less carbon-intense energy
sources are some of the most prominent ways decarbonization may be achieved.

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CARBON EMISSIONS FROM THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

The built environment is made up of what we humans have constructed to live,
work, move around, and get access to a broad range of services we need that
includes water, electricity, and, increasingly, means of communication and
connectivity, to entertainment, relaxation, and care [8]. It includes the buildings
that surround us, along with the roads and bridges we traverse alongside other
infrastructure. In simple terms, the built environment is what we’ve created, that
is, the man-made structures and byways that provide us with living, working, and
recreational spaces.
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These human activities that have brought about the built environment around us,
are responsible for almost all of the increase in greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere over the last 150 years. The largest source of greenhouse gas
emissions from human activities in the United States is from burning fossil fuels for
electricity, heat, and transportation [9].
What brings about carbon emissions are human activities. Carbon dioxide gets
released into the atmosphere as a result of everyday human processes like driving
a vehicle, industrial activities, and agricultural activities, amongst others. Most
carbon emissions originate from processes in the U.S. and Europe.
It is important to note that the built environment emits nearly 40 percent of
carbon emissions globally. Moreover, cement and concrete manufacturers are
responsible for around 8 percent of global GHG emissions alone, more than any
country except for the US and China. By focusing on decarbonizing our built
environment through carbon-negative future construction and making our current
buildings more energy efficient, we can reduce emissions and support more
equitable, healthier communities [5]
The Environmental Protection Agency identifies the six major sources of
greenhouse gases as transportation, electricity production, industry, commercial
and residential, agriculture, and land use, and forestry. According to the Inventory
of the U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks, a report by the EPA,
transportation accounted for 28.9 percent of all 2017 greenhouse gas emissions,
making it the largest contributor amongst all the categories.
EPA tracks total U.S. emissions by publishing the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas
Emissions and Sinks. This annual report estimates the total national greenhouse
gas emissions and removals associated with human activities across the United
States.

From the 2020 report, the primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the
United States are:

• Transportation (27% of 2020 greenhouse gas emissions) – The

transportation sector generated the largest amount of greenhouse gas
emissions. Greenhouse gas emissions from transportation came majorly
from burning fossil fuel from cars, trucks, ships, trains, and planes, as over
90% of the fuel used for transportation was petroleum-based, which
included primarily gasoline and diesel.
• Electricity production (25% of 2020 greenhouse gas emissions) – Electricity
production generated the second largest share of greenhouse gas emissions.
Approximately 60% of electricity came from burning fossil fuels, mostly coal
and natural gas.
• Industry (24% of 2020 greenhouse gas emissions) – Greenhouse gas
emissions from industry primarily came from burning fossil fuels for energy,
as well as greenhouse gas emissions from certain chemical reactions
necessitated by the production of goods from raw materials.
• Commercial and Residential (13% of 2020 greenhouse gas emissions) –
Greenhouse gas emissions from businesses and homes arose majorly from
fossil fuels burnt for heating, the usage of certain products that contained
greenhouse gases, and waste handling.
 • Agriculture (11% of 2020 greenhouse gas emissions) – Greenhouse gas
emissions from agriculture came from livestock such as cows, agricultural
soils, and rice production.
• Land Use and Forestry (13% of 2020 greenhouse gas emissions) – Land areas
can act as a sink (absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere) or a source of
greenhouse gas emissions. In the United States, since 1990, managed
forests and other lands are a net sink, i.e., they have absorbed more
CO2 from the atmosphere than they emit.

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Narrowing down to construction, greenhouse gas emissions from the construction

sector globally, are mainly driven by two components, which are raw material
processing for buildings and infrastructure which is around 30 percent of total
construction emissions per year (largely cement and steel), and buildings
operations which amount to about 70% [7].
 The contribution from raw materials comes primarily from energy-intensive
cement production and through metals (about 50 percent of global steel
production is used for construction), which contribute almost 7 percent of global
GHG emissions. The contribution from commercial and residential building
operations is mainly driven by space and water heating within buildings, heat
leakage due to poor insulation, and another energy usage such as lighting, air
conditioning, and appliances [7].
Turning to new building construction, we see that it is responsible for more than
2.5 gigatons of CO₂ globally (5 percent of total GHG emissions). Concrete and steel
processing represent the largest share (60 percent) of embodied carbon because
of the large quantities of each material incorporated in a typical structure and the
energy-intensive production process [7]

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THE URGENT NEED & IMPORTANCE OF DECARBONIZING THE BUILT

ENVIRONMENT
Understanding why we need to decarbonize would be most appreciated when we
look critically at the negative effects & consequences of carbon emissions.
Carbon emissions affect the planet significantly, as they are the greenhouse gas
with the highest levels of emissions in the atmosphere, which results in global
warming and ultimately, climate change.
Already, climate change has resulted in severe damage to farm productivity,
caused tens of billions of dollars in flood damages in the U.S. alone, and increased
the risk of longer, more dangerous wildfire seasons in California. The goal of
decarbonization is to reduce the pace at which the world advances towards a
dangerous temperature threshold beyond which climate impacts are likely to
become more severe and widespread, including droughts, extreme heatwaves, and
floods [3]

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The effect of climate change could be seen in extreme weather events like tropical
storms, wildfires, severe droughts, and heat waves, negatively affecting crop
production, disrupting animals’ natural habitats, and more. The emission of
greenhouse gases is the main perpetrator that causes global warming which
further results in climate change.
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According to NASA, rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will both hurt
and help crops. While increased carbon dioxide levels can “increase water-use
efficiency in crops” and also “mitigate yield losses due to climate change,” these
levels can also create imbalances in nitrogen and carbon, minimizing crops’
necessary nutrients like iron, zinc, and protein. while an increase in carbon in the
air can, in some ways, positively affect plants and crops, if the climate changes the
lands and causes drought or other weather events that crops and plants are unable
to survive in, it can be detrimental to crop yields. The same problem holds for
animals, as well; as climate change alters our environment and natural habitats,
different indigenous species take a hit. Some species may disappear altogether,
while others might thrive and overtake others [6]
Carbon emissions directly affect humans, too, causing more respiratory diseases
from an increase in smog and air pollution. Not to mention that if carbon emissions
eradicate certain animal species, and destroy crop yields and lands, humans will
also see the repercussions of those effects as well.
Overall, carbon emissions are dangerous in that they threaten the livelihood of our
planet, animals, and humans. The amount of carbon emissions trapped in our
atmosphere causes global warming, which causes climate change, symptoms of
which include the melting of the polar ice caps, the rising of sea levels, the
disturbance of animals’ natural habitats, extreme weather events, and so many
more negative side effects that are dangerous to the planet, to human and animal
life, and our future.

DECARBONIZING THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT USING LEED v4.1 RATING

SYSTEM
LEED v4.1 incorporates greenhouse gas emissions (also referred to as CO2
equivalent emissions) as a metric for building energy performance. Understanding
greenhouse gas emissions from building energy use and prioritizing building
emissions reductions is critical for addressing climate change. It acknowledges the
large impact buildings have on the environment and gives special consideration to
climate change with its focus on reducing embodied carbon. Green buildings
generate fewer greenhouse gases. This is because the process of building green
encompasses a structure’s planning, design, construction, operations, and end-of-
life recycling or renewal while considering energy, water, indoor environmental
quality, materials selection, and location. High-performing green buildings,
particularly LEED-certified buildings, provide the means to reduce the climate
impacts of buildings.
Buildings account for nearly 40% of all greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs),
according to Architecture 2030. Adding other infrastructure and activities, such as
transportation, that are associated with buildings, could increase that number
significantly. By building green, we can reduce the impact our buildings have on
contributing to climate change while at the same time building resilience in our
homes and communities.
LEED v4.1 reduces greenhouse gas emissions from buildings through the following
approaches;
Locating the building in a LEED for neighborhood development location
One of the intentions of LEED v4.1 concerning this credit requirement is to reduce
vehicles’ miles or kilometers travelled by encouraging the selection of a LEED ND
certified site. This ultimately reduces carbon emissions arising from the usage of
vehicles.

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Surrounding density and diverse uses

The LEED v4.1 BD+C Rating System uses this credit requirement to encourage
development in areas with existing infrastructure and social benefits, which
eventually promotes not only walkability, transportation efficiency, and
improvement of public health, but also results in reduction of vehicle distance
travelled. This again results in a reduction of carbon emissions associated with the
usage of vehicles. It rewards teams for locating their project on a site whose
surrounding density within ¼ mile (400 meters) meets the thresholds on LEED v4.1
rating system for either combined or separate residential and non-residential
densities. They also stand to gain more rewards if they locate the project within ½
mile (800-meters) walking distance of a minimum of four diverse uses that again,
meets LEED v4.1 requirement.
Access to quality transit
The LEED v4.1 BD+C and ID+C Rating Systems both use this approach to encourage
development in locations shown to have multimodal transportation choices or
otherwise reduced motor vehicle use, thereby reducing greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions, air pollution, and other environmental and public health harms
associated with motor vehicle use. There are two requirements to meet. First is to
locate any functional entry of the project within a ¼-mile (400-meter) walking
distance of existing or planned bus, streetcar, or informal transit stops, or a ½-mile
(800-meter) walking distance of existing or planned bus rapid transit stops,
passenger rail stations (i.e. light, heavy, or commuter rail) or commuter ferry
terminals. The transit service at those stops and stations in aggregate must meet
the requirements listed in LEED v4.1 rating system. Planned stops and stations may
count if they are sited, funded, and under construction by the date of the
certificate of occupancy and are complete within 24 months of that date. Transit
must meet the minimums for both weekend and weekday to count.

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Providing bicycle facilities, Reduced parking footprint and promoting
alternative transportation/Electric Vehicles
Concerning bicycle facilities credit, LEED v4.1 BD+C and ID+C rating systems intend
to promote bicycling and transportation efficiency, while at the same time
reducing vehicle distance travelled. The whole idea is the more people give in to
using bicycles, the lesser the use of vehicles, which results in a reduction of carbon
emissions emanating from the usage of vehicles.
Design or locate the project such that a functional entry or bicycle storage is within
a 200-yard (180-meter) walking distance or bicycling distance from a bicycle
network that connects to at least one of the following requirements which include
at least 10 diverse uses; a school or employment center, if the project total floor
area is 50% or more residential; or a bus rapid transit stop, passenger rail station,
or ferry terminal. It is important to note that all destinations must be within a 3-
mile (4800-meter) bicycling distance of the project boundary.
Concerning bicycle storage and shower rooms, for commercial and institutional
projects, the requirement is to provide a parking space with the capacity to meet
2.5% of all peak visitors or a minimum of 4 spaces per building, and long-term
bicycle storage of 5% for all regular building occupants with a minimum of 4 spaces
per building as well, added to the provision for peak visitors.
Also, to be provided is at least one on-site shower with changing facility for the
first 100 regular building occupants and one additional shower for every 150
regular building occupants thereafter. Visitors are not included in this calculation
because they are assumed to stay for only short visits.
For residential projects, the requirement is to provide a short-term parking space
for 2.5% of peak visitors or a minimum of 4 spaces per building. For long-term
parking spaces, the requirement is to provide for 15% of all regular building
occupants which must not be less than one parking space per three residential
units.
For mixed-use projects, the requirement is to meet the storage requirements for
the non-residential and residential portions of the project, respectively.
Large occupancy projects are required to meet the threshold required for the
number of showers as stated in the LEED v4.1 rating system.
For All Projects, Short-term bicycle storage must be within 200 feet (60 meters)
walking distance of any main entrance. Long-term bicycle storage must be within
300 feet (90 meters) walking distance of any functional entry. Vertical distances
traveled by elevator are exempt from counting towards the walking distance
requirements.

For reduced parking, one of the intents of LEED v4.1 concerning this credit is to
minimize the environmental harms associated with parking facilities, including
automobile dependence. The implication is if there’s less parking, people are
motivated to walk, get a bus, get a bike, or do something other than drive, and as
such less carbon is released into the atmosphere. The option of no
parking/reduced parking requires that the minimum local code requirements for
parking capacity are not exceeded. Provide parking capacity that is a 30%
reduction below the base ratios for parking spaces, by building type, found in
Appendix 4. Table 1. Base Ratios for Parking. Alternatively, projects may
demonstrate baseline and reduced parking capacity using calculations for the most
appropriate land use found in the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)
Parking Generation Manual, 5th Edition, or a comparable and current resource
applied by a qualified transportation engineer or planner. Projects with no off-
street parking meet the requirements.
For the car share option, the requirement is to provide dedicated parking for
carshare vehicles. Provide carshare vehicle parking space(s) for at least 1% of total
parking spaces, rounded up. If the project has fewer than 100 parking spaces,
provide one carshare vehicle parking space. Establish an agreement between the
project and carshare company guaranteeing that new or existing carshare vehicle
space(s) will be dedicated for a minimum of two years from the certificate of
building occupancy. Existing carshare vehicles located in nearby on- or off-street
parking areas do not contribute to credit achievement.
For unbundling parking option, the requirement is to sell parking separately from
all property sales or leases. For owner-occupied projects, do not provide free or
subsidized parking for employees. Implement a daily parking fee at a cost equal to
or greater than the daily roundtrip cost of municipal public transit.

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For Electric vehicles, LEED v4.1 BD+C uses this credit requirement to reduce
pollution by promoting alternatives to conventionally fuelled automobiles. It
entails providing charging infrastructure for electric vehicles for on-site parking.
LEED v4.1 requirement for meeting option 1 is to Install electrical vehicle supply
equipment (EVSE) in 5% of all parking spaces used by the project or at least two
spaces, whichever is greater. Identify and reserve these spaces for the sole use of
plug-in electric vehicles. Also, the EVSE must Provide a Level 2 charging capacity
(208 – 240 volts) or greater for each required space, and comply with the relevant
regional or local standard for electrical connectors, such as SAE Surface Vehicle
Recommended Practice J1772, SAE Electric Vehicle Conductive Charge Coupler or
IEC 62196 of the International Electrotechnical Commission for projects outside
the U.S. Meet the connected functionality criteria for ENERGY STAR certified EVSE
and be capable of responding to time-of-use market signals (e.g. price). Projects
pursuing EA credit Grid Harmonization should incorporate EVSE into any demand
response program or load flexibility and management strategies. For option 2-
Electric Vehicle Ready Infrastructure entails making 10% of parking spaces or at
least 6 spaces, whichever is greater, EV Ready. To be EV Ready, include a dedicated
electrical circuit with sufficient capacity for each required space. Each circuit shall
have conduit and wire sufficient to provide Level 2 charging or greater and shall
end at an electrical box or enclosure located near each required space.

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Water efficiency
This results in a reduction in water consumption and potable water usage. The
LEED v4.1 BD+C and ID+C rating systems have made it mandatory for projects to
reduce outdoor water consumption by 30% and indoor water consumption by
20%. Also, it rewards projects for reducing their outdoor water usage from 30%
prerequisite to 50% and up to a maximum of 100%. For indoor water consumption,
it rewards projects for reducing water consumption beyond the prerequisite to
25%, and up to a maximum of 50%. Overall, with these reductions, less energy is
required to pump, heat, and treat water, which ultimately results in reduced
greenhouse gas emissions emanating from the usage of water in buildings with the
associated demands for heating, treating, and pumping water.

Ultra-Low-flow faucet
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Energy Efficiency/Energy metering/Grid harmonization/Daylighting
Regarding energy efficiency, it is a mandatory requirement in the LEED v4.1 BD+C
and ID+C ratings system for green buildings to reduce the environmental and
economic harms of excessive energy use by achieving a minimum level of energy
performance for buildings and their systems. The requirements for NC, CS, schools,
retail, warehouse & distribution centers, hospitality, and healthcare are to comply
with ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1–2016, with errata or a USGBC-approved
equivalent standard.
To optimize energy performance, LEED v4.1 intends to achieve increasing levels of
energy performance beyond the prerequisite standard to further reduce
environmental and economic harms associated with excessive energy use that
disproportionately impacts frontline communities. The requirements for NC, CS,
schools, retail, warehouse & distribution centers, hospitality, and healthcare,
including to analyze efficiency measures during the design process and accounting
for the results in design decision-making. Use energy simulation of efficiency
opportunities, past energy simulation analyses for similar buildings, or published
data (e.g., Advanced Energy Design Guides) from analyses for similar buildings.
Analyse efficiency measures, focusing on load reduction and HVAC-related
strategies (passive measures are acceptable) appropriate for the facility. Project
potential energy savings and holistic project cost implications related to all
affected systems. The various options include; Energy Performance Compliance;
Prescriptive Compliance: ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guide; Systems
Optimization; Data Centres only– System Optimization.

Energy metering is an approach used by LEED v4.1 with the intent of supporting
energy management and identifying opportunities for additional energy savings by
tracking building-level and system-level energy use. Energy metering is broken into
building-level energy metering and advanced-level energy metering. Building-level
metering is a mandatory requirement for LEED projects and involves Installing new
or using existing building-level energy meters, or submeters that can be
aggregated to provide building-level data representing total building energy
consumption (electricity, natural gas, chilled water, steam, fuel oil, propane,
biomass, etc.). For advanced energy metering NC, schools, retail, data centers,
warehouse & distribution centers, hospitality, and healthcare are required to
Install advanced energy metering for the following: all whole-building energy
sources used by the building, and any individual energy end uses that represent
10% or more of the total annual consumption of the building. Advanced energy
metering must have the following characteristics. Meters must be permanently
installed, record at intervals of one hour or less, and transmit data to a remote
location. Electricity meters must record both consumption and demand. Whole-
building electricity meters should record the power factor, if appropriate. The data
collection system must use a local area network, building automation system,
wireless network, or comparable communication infrastructure. The system must
be capable of storing all meter data for at least 36 months. The data must be
remotely accessible. All meters in the system must be capable of reporting hourly,
daily, monthly, and annual energy use. For CS, install meters for future tenant
spaces so that tenants will be capable of independently metering energy
consumption (electricity, chilled water, etc.) for all systems dedicated to their
space. Provide a sufficient number of meters to capture total tenant energy use
with a minimum of one meter per energy source per floor. Install advanced energy
metering for all base building energy sources used by the building. Advanced
energy metering must have the following characteristics. Meters must be
permanently installed, record at intervals of one hour or less, and transmit data to
a remote location. Electricity meters must record both consumption and demand.
Whole-building electricity meters should record the power factor, if appropriate.
The data collection system must use a local area network, building automation
system, wireless network, or comparable communication infrastructure. The
system must be capable of storing all meter data for at least 36 months. The data
must be remotely accessible.
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Grid Harmonization, LEED v4.1 uses this with the intent of increasing participation
in demand response technologies and programs that make energy generation and
distribution systems more affordable and more efficient, increase grid reliability,
and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The approach is to design buildings and
equipment for participation in demand response programs through load shedding
or shifting. It is important to note that on-site electricity generation does not meet
the intent of this credit.

Daylighting on the other hand reduces dependence on artificial lighting and cuts
low the demand and usage of artificial lighting which in turn results in lower energy
consumption and its associated carbon emissions. LEED uses three options to
achieve this which include Spatial daylight autonomy, Illuminance calculations, and
measurements. For spatial daylight autonomy, the objective is to achieve using
daylighting 300 lux for 50% of the hours between 8 AM and 6 PM local time for a
full calendar year. The illuminance calculation method requires carrying out a
computer simulation modeling at 9 AM and 3 PM on the equinox. The physical
measurement approach involves measuring the daylight illuminance levels in the
space at a certain time of year, and then 4 months later, taking the measurements
again with the intent to prove that the project is bringing in enough daylight into
the space.

Use of renewable energy; Onsite and offsite renewable energy systems are a clean
energy source that results in a drastic reduction of GHG emissions that would have
been associated with the usage of such energy from fossil fuel sources. LEED v4.1
intent of this credit requirement is to reduce the environmental and economic
harms associated with fossil fuel energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by
increasing the supply of renewable energy projects and fostering a just transition
to a green economy. The requirement for NC, CS, schools, retail, data centers,
warehouse & distribution centers, hospitality, and healthcare is to use on-site
renewable energy systems or procure renewable energy from offsite sources for
all or a portion of the building’s annual energy use.
Eligible on-site systems used for LEED projects include Photovoltaic systems, wind
energy systems, solar thermal systems, biofuel-based electrical systems,
geothermal heating systems, geothermal electric systems, low-impact
hydroelectric systems, wave, and tidal power systems.

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Green power & carbon offsets

LEED V4 uses Green power & Carbon offsets as tools to encourage the reduction of
GHG emissions through the use of renewable energy technologies and carbon
mitigation projects. It rewards projects with credit points for entering a 5-year
contract that entails a financial investment in at least 50% of the building’s
electricity from green power, renewable energy certificates, or carbon offsets.

Refrigerant Management
LEED v4.1 intends to use this mandatory requirement to reduce ozone depletion
and global warming potential and support early compliance with the Kigali
Amendment to the Montreal Protocol while minimizing direct contributions to
climate change. The requirement for NC, CS, schools, retail, data centers,
warehouse & distribution centers, hospitality, and healthcare, is not to use
chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) or hydro chlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) -based refrigerants
in new heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems.
When reusing existing HVAC&R equipment, complete a comprehensive CFC and/or
HCFC phase-out conversion before project completion. Phase-out plans extending
beyond the project completion date will be considered on their merits. Existing
small HVAC&R units (defined as containing less than 0.5 pounds [225 grams] of
refrigerant) and other equipment, such as standard refrigerators, small water
coolers, and any other equipment that contains less than 0.5 pounds (225 grams)
of refrigerant, are exempt. LEED v4.1 rewards credit points for enhanced
refrigerant management using these options of No Refrigerants or Low-Impact
Refrigerants i.e. Do not use refrigerants or use only refrigerants (naturally
occurring or synthetic) that have an ozone depletion potential (ODP) of zero and a
global warming potential (GWP) of less than 50. Or the option of Calculation of
Refrigerant Impact that Complies with ASHRAE Standard 15-2019: Safety Standard
for Refrigeration Systems, or USGBC approved equivalent, as applicable to the
project scope. Develop and implement a refrigerant management plan that
addresses leak detection, system retrofit, and end-of-life disposal for all HVAC&R
systems containing more than 0.5 pounds (225 grams) of refrigerant. Select
refrigerants that are used in heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration
(HVAC&R) equipment to minimize or eliminate the emission of compounds that
contribute to ozone depletion and climate change.
Use of locally sourced materials
Using local materials has the immense benefit of reducing the significant negative
environmental impacts of transporting and hauling materials over long distances.
Locally sourced building materials are recognized as a multiplier for optimization.
LEED v4.1 For credit achievement calculation, products sourced (extracted,
manufactured, and purchased) within 100 miles (160 km) of the project site are
valued at twice their base contributing cost, up to a maximum of 200% of the cost.
Waste reduction and conservation of construction materials through
building reuse/material reuse/material recycling
The embodied energy and corresponding greenhouse gas emissions arising from a
new building construction project cannot be over-emphasized. For building reuse,
LEED v4.1 BD+C encourages the adaptive reuse of buildings and optimizing the
environmental performance of products and materials. It rewards projects with
credit points that reuse buildings that fall into the category of a Historic building, an
Abandoned/Blighted building, or the option of reusing or retaining a certain portion
of an existing building when it doesn’t meet the Historic/Abandoned/Blighted
building requirement. The requirement is to maintain the existing building structure,
envelope, and interior non-structural elements. LEED v4.1 intends to use this credit
requirement to reduce construction and demolition waste disposed of in landfills
and incineration facilities through waste prevention and by reusing, recovering, and
recycling materials, and conserving resources for future generations. To delay the
need for new landfill facilities that are often located in frontline communities and
create green jobs and materials markets for building construction services.

Material reuse includes salvaged, refurbished, or reused products. LEED v4.1 favor
the reuse of existing building materials found onsite or salvaged building materials
from off-site. Typical reused materials on LEED projects include structural elements
like floors and roof decking, enclosure materials, and permanently installed interior
elements like walls, doors, floor coverings, and ceiling systems. Windows and other
hazardous materials are mandatorily excluded from the list of items that can be
reused. Also, for LEED V4.1, Materials reuse, Reuse includes salvaged, refurbished,
or reused products. Products meeting materials reuse criteria are valued at 200%
of their cost for credit achievement calculation. Reusing materials reduces
embodied energy associated with the use of virgin materials, as well as reduces
waste generated & the number of materials deposited in landfills.
For recycled content., Products meeting recycled content criteria are valued at
100% of their cost for credit achievement calculation. Recycled content is the sum
of post-consumer recycled content plus one-half the pre-consumer recycled
content, based on weight. The recycled fraction of the assembly is then multiplied
by the cost of assembly to determine the recycled content value. Recyclable
materials, components, and assemblies particularly post-consumer recycled
content play a significant role in reducing embodied energy associated with the
manufacturing process of such materials while ensuring limited and depleting
resources are conserved. Extended producer responsibility, closed-loop recycling,
and take-back programs are gaining wide acceptance in the industry. Most carpet
manufacturing companies in the US practice the take-back program. Also, Steel,
glass, and metals are highly durable, and they can be recycled again and again.
Every ton of C&D recycled results in a corresponding reduction of waste sent to
landfills. In addition to fewer land areas needed for landfilling; environmental
issues associated with C&D disposal are drastically reduced. For example, one
problem frequently encountered with C&D debris landfills is the generation and
release of hydrogen sulphide, a foul-smelling gas that poses a risk to human health.
Recycling scrap, agricultural products, and other waste help to prevent the
formation of this noxious gas.

Culled- [Link]

Whole building life cycle assessment

To achieve one point, the project must conduct a compliant lifecycle assessment of
the project’s structure and enclosure. To earn additional points, the proposed
building must demonstrate a reduction in global warming potential and two of five
other impact categories when compared to a baseline building and include a
narrative to explain the changes being made to proposed buildings to achieve the
impact reductions.
REFERENCES
1. [Link]
2. [Link]
industrials/articles/[Link]
3. [Link]
4. [Link]
decarbonising-your-asset-portfolio-viewpoint
5.[Link]
environment
6. [Link]
environment
7. [Link]
materials/our-insights/call-for-action-seizing-the-decarbonization-opportunity-in-
construction
8. [Link]
9. [Link]
10. LEED v4.1 rating system.