In the world of sustainability, LEED is a commonly used term. An abbreviation seen on buildings all around the world, it speaks volumes about the manner and ethos of a building’s design. But, what does LEED Certification actually mean and why is it important to be a LEED certified hotel? Great question.
LEED, Defined
The abbreviation stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). It is an internationally recognized green building certification program, relevant to commercial as well as residential buildings.
Designed as a framework to improve efficiencies in areas such as energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts, it is based on a point system.
The more points a building earns, the higher its rating. Certification can cover all phases of development. This includes everything from design and construction of the building, to operations and maintenance, to renovations.
How LEED Was Developed
It was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). LEED provides building developers, owners, and operators an outline for implementing green building design, construction, and maintenance solutions.
LEED was spearheaded in 1993 as a way to define “green buildings.” This accreditation system was founded in the U.S. but is used and recognized globally. It was designed to accomplish a number of different things ranging from recognizing environmental leadership in the building industry to raising consumer awareness of green building benefits.
The Different Levels of LEED Certification
There are main four levels of certification. From lowest to highest, they are: Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
Buildings gain their rating based on points earned in the following five areas. Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources and Indoor Environmental Quality.
There is also a separate a LEED ZERO Certification for Carbon, Energy, Water and Waste.
What a LEED Certified Hotel Looks Like
Bardessono (Yountville, United States)
A gem in California’s Napa Valley, Bardessono is a LEED Platinum certified hotel that is an excellent example of sustainable luxury. With an underground geothermal system that heats and cools the guest rooms, the spa, and the domestic hot water supply, almost no offsite energy is used. Hidden on the flat rooftops are 940 solar panels that provide significant amounts of the hotel’s electrical demand.
Occupancy sensors in guest rooms automatically decrease energy consumption when guests are not in their rooms. Gorgeous woods used throughout the hotel are milled from salvaged trees. Non-toxic, non-allergenic materials were used in construction. Organic linens and cleaning supplies and recycling and composting programs are standard. Products in the restaurant and spa are sourced primarily from local organic or sustainable producers.
ITC Windsor (Bengaluru, India)
The first hotel in the world to achieve LEED Zero Carbon Certification, ITC Windsor Bengaluru sources the majority of their ingredients locally through organic farms. Also LEED Platinum certified, all water is recycled and reused to prevent wastage.
Almost entire electrical energy demand of the hotel is met through self-owned wind farms. In addition, they have implemented a rainwater harvesting system whose harvesting capacity is 20% of the peak rainfall. This helps to reduce water demand and run-off.
Heritance Kandalama Hotel (Dambulla, Sri Lanka)
Heritance Kandalama was the first nature-based, large scale resort in Sri Lanka. The LEED Gold certified hotel was built in the configuration of outspread bird wings. Despite having 7 floors, it merely looks like an extension of the mountainside. It is also covered in native plants, which are home to a number of different species.
Why LEED Certified Hotels are Important
LEED is an important certification because as we move towards an irreversible tipping point in climate change, we need responsible building that is sustainable and carbon negative. Green buildings support healthier indoor environments and generate less waste. A certification is also a good benchmark for savvy travelers.
You can find a hotel almost anywhere in the world. Unfortunately, many of these hotels generate enormous amounts of waste, consume too much water and electricity and can cause negative social and economic consequences. When you stay at a LEED certified hotel you can rest assured they are leaders in the future of travel and know they are taking conscious steps towards a liveable future.
CARLI CUTHBERTSON + MICHELLE ARELLANO MARTIN
