Pass the USGBC Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) LEED-Green-Associate Questions and answers with CertsForce

Including subsidies for carpools is a strategy that can increase the number of points the project receives for Location and Transportation credits. This is because it reduces the demand for single-occupancy vehicle trips and parking spaces, which in turn reduces greenhouse gas emissions, traffic congestion, and land consumption12. The project can earn up to 15 points for the Transportation Demand Management credit by providing various incentives and programs to encourage alternative modes of transportation, such as carpooling, public transit, biking, or walking12.

An integrative design process is a collaborative and holistic approach that involves the project team and stakeholders from the early stages of the project to identify the project goals, analyze the site and climate conditions, explore multiple design options, and optimize the performance and cost-effectiveness of the project. By applying an integrative design process, a LEED project can achieve higherlevels of sustainability and efficiency, as well as reduce the risks of errors, delays, and change orders12. References: LEED v4 Green Associate Candidate Handbook1, LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide2

The LEED Pilot Credit Library is a collection of new credits that are being tested for potential inclusion in future versions of LEED1. The purpose of the library is to allow projects to experiment with innovative strategies and provide feedback to USGBC on their effectiveness, feasibility, and market readiness2. The library also helps USGBC to respond to evolving environmental issues and stakeholder needs2.

A site map is required to show the locations of community resources within the specified radius to meet Location and Transportation credits. It visually demonstrates compliance with LEED requirements for access to diverse uses​​.

Regional Priority credits are awarded to encourage projects to address local environmental issues that are of particular importance or concern for the region where the project is located. These issues may include water scarcity, air quality, habitat protection, or human health. Regional Priority credits are not new LEED credits, but rather existing credits that have been identified by regional councils or chapters of USGBC as having higher priority or relevance for their areas. Projects can earn up to four bonus points by achieving Regional Priority credits. References: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, Introduction, page 13; LEED v4 Impact Category and Point Allocation Process Overview1

Renovating an existing building using recycled and salvaged building materials is an example of a life-cycle approach to development or design. A life-cycle approach is an approach that considers the environmental impacts of a product or a project from cradle to grave, or from extraction of raw materials to disposal or reuse. Renovating an existing building using recycled and salvaged building materials reduces the environmental impacts associated with new construction, such as land use change, resource depletion, energy consumption, waste generation, and greenhouse gas emissions.The LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook states that one of the intents of the Materials and Resources category is to “promote life-cycle assessment as a means of evaluating environmental impacts” [1, p. 15]. References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, [Life Cycle Assessment | U.S. Department of Energy]

Lighting controls are devices or systems that can regulate the amount and quality of light in a space according to various factors, such as user preferences, natural light availability, occupancy, and time of day. By doing so, lighting controls can improve occupant comfort and save energy throughout the building. Lighting controls can enhance the visual comfort, well-being, and productivity of the occupants by providing them with appropriate and adjustable light levels for different tasks and moods. Lighting controls can also reduce the energy consumption and environmental impact of the lighting system by avoiding unnecessary or excessive lighting, which can waste electricity, generate heat, and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.Lighting controls are an essential component of green building design and certification, such as LEED v4, which has adopted ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2010 as the baseline for energy performance and lighting requirements. LEED v4 also recognizes and rewards various lighting control strategies, such as automatic shutoff, light-level reduction, daylight harvesting, exterior lighting control, and plug-load control. References: [LEED Link: Minimum Energy Performance], section “LEED v4 BD+C: Minimum Energy Performance”; [LEED Link: Lighting Controls], section “LEED v4 BD+C: Lighting Controls”

Integrated Project Planning and Design is a prerequisite for healthcare facilities under LEED v4. The intent is to maximize opportunities for the adoption of cost-effective integrated green design and construction strategies as early as pre-design1.

LEED v4 | HPAC Engineering1

Construction IAQ management and LEED strategies directly improve health:

“Using proper construction management practices… protects worker and occupant health by controlling pollutant sources and pathways…”

High VOC materials and low ventilation have adverse effects, not benefits.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a third-party verification organization that certifies forest products that are sourced from responsibly managed forests that meet environmental, social, and economic standards12. FSC-certified wood products are considered environmentally preferable products under the LEED v4 Materials and Resources category, as they reduce the negative impacts of deforestation, habitat loss, and biodiversity loss34.

What is FSC? | FSC International1

Forest Stewardship Council - Wikipedia2

LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide - U.S. Green Building Council3

Credit’s Supporting LEED’s Materials and Resources Category | Legrand4