Taking the LEED? Analyzing spatial variations in market penetration rates of eco-labeled properties

This paper investigates the impact of policies to promote the adoption of LEED-certified buildings across CBSA in the United States. Drawing upon a unique database that combines data from a large number of sources and using a number of regression procedures, the determinants of the proportion LEED-certified space for more than 170 CBSA in the US is modeled. LEED-certified space still accounts for a relatively small proportion of commercial stock in all markets. The average proportion is less than 1%. There is no conclusive evidence of a positive impact of policy intervention on the levels of LEED-certified space. However, after accounting for bias introduced by non-random assignment of policies, we find preliminary evidence of a positive impact of city-level green building incentives. There is a significant positive association between market size and indicators of economic vitality on proportions of LEED-certified space.

Coverage-dependent molecular tilt of carbon monoxide chemisorbed on Pt{110}: A combined LEED and DFT structural analysis

The adsorption of carbon monoxide on the Pt{110} surface at coverages of 0.5 ML and 1.0 ML was investigated using quantitative low-energy electron diffraction (LEED IV) and density-functional theory (DFT). At 0.5 ML CO lifts the reconstruction of the clean surface but does not form an ordered overlayer. At the saturation coverage, 1.0 ML, a well-ordered p(2×1) superstructure with glide line symmetry is formed. It was confirmed that the CO molecules adsorb on top of the Pt atoms in the top-most substrate layer with the molecular axes tilted by ±22° with respect to the surface normal in alternating directions away from the close packed rows of Pt atoms. This is accompanied by significant lateral shifts of 0.55 Å away from the atop sites in the same direction as the tilt. The top-most substrate layer relaxes inwards by −4% with respect to the bulk-terminated atom positions, while the consecutive layers only show minor relaxations. Despite the lack of long-range order in the 0.5 ML CO layer it was possible to determine key structural parameters by LEED IV using only the intensities of the integer-order spots. At this coverage CO also adsorbs on atop sites with the molecular axis closer to the surface normal (b10°). The average substrate relaxations in each layer are similar for both coverages and consistent with DFT calculations performed for a variety of ordered structures with coverages of 1.0 ML and 0.5 ML.

Eco-labeling, rents, sales prices and occupancy rates: do LEED and Energy Star labeled offices obtain multiple premiums?

Drawing upon an updated and expanded dataset of Energy Star and LEED labeled commercial offices, this paper investigates the effect of eco-labeling on rental rates, sale prices and occupancy rates. Using OLS and robust regression procedures, hedonic modeling is used to test whether the presence of an eco-label has a significant positive effect on rental rates, sale prices and occupancy rates. The study suggests that estimated coefficients can be sensitive to outlier treatment. For sale prices and occupancy rates, there are notable differences between estimated coefficients for OLS and robust regressions. The results suggest that both Energy Star and LEED offices obtain rental premiums of approximately 3%. A 17% sale price premium is estimated for Energy Star labeled offices but no significant sale price premium is estimated for LEED labeled offices. Surprisingly, no significant occupancy premium is estimated for Energy Star labeled offices and a negative occupancy premium is estimated for LEED labeled offices.

Green building: análise das dificuldades (ainda) enfrentadas durante o processo de certificação LEED no Brasil

A preocupação com o esgotamento dos recursos naturais e a conscientização sobre as questões ligadas à sustentabilidade provocaram o estudo em um setor que tem sido apontado como de grande importância para a transformação do meio ambiente: a construção civil. Com isso percebemos o surgimento de um conjunto de práticas e procedimentos visando as chamadas "construções sustentáveis", que introduziram uma nova realidade comercial no segmento da construção civil. Para avaliar se uma construção é ou não sustentável surgiram os eco-labellings, que através de sistema de pontuação ou conceitos permitem avaliar qualitativamente em que grau de sustentabilidade uma edificação encontra-se. Em especial, o mercado brasileiro vem, desde 2004, buscando a certificação ambiental LEED; sendo assim, a presente dissertação tem como objetivo identificar, após quase uma década desde a primeira submissão de projeto brasileiro ao USGBC, quais ainda são as dificuldades enfrentadas no processo de certificação LEED. O referencial teórico reforçou que o segmento da construção civil contribui de duas formas para a degradação do meio ambiente: no consumo de recursos naturais e energéticos, e na geração de grande quantidade de resíduos. Por esse motivo, estudos nessa área são extremamente importantes para a transformação do meio ambiente, que, através da adoção de práticas construtivas sustentáveis poderá minimizar os impactos gerados. Neste trabalho, optou-se pela utilização de pesquisa exploratória quanto aos fins, uma vez que existe pouco conhecimento acumulado sobre a avaliação do processo de certificação LEED, e bibliográfica, complementada com pesquisa de campo, quanto ao meio, pois fundamenta-se em estudo desenvolvido com base em material publicado, complementado por entrevistas no campo. Este trabalho caracteriza-se por se um estudo introdutório à compreensão do tema e convida a estudos complementares mais abrangentes, dada a relevância do assunto nas três esferas de sustentabilidade: social, ambiental e econômica.

Análise da ferramenta LEED para a certificação de edifícios sustentáveis no Brasil

CCurrently there are various systems for the evaluation of environmental impacts of buildings, known as tools of environmental certification. Among these, the tool LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations has been the most widely used and accepted worldwide, in assessing the sustainability of buildings. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the tool for LEED certification for construction work in Brazil, which ranks fourth in the world ranking records certification of sustainable buildings. It was found in this analysis that the assumptions of this tool are encouraging the use of more sustainable and less impactful on the environment as it promotes the deployment of innovative projects from a technological standpoint, , as well as the valuation of enterprises certified. Also, very significant results obtained in terms of energy efficiency and environmental quality in occupied buildings

Análise da implantação das certificações ambientais LEED e AQUA: estudo de caso em alguns empreendimentos

Given the large potential impact that the construction industry has on the environment and the need to reduce environmental degradation , environmental certifications are important tools of environmental management. This work deals with the environmental certifications of sustainable buildings LEED and AQUA . This project employed the method of exploratory research to identify the requirements that impose the greatest difficulties in the implementation of LEED and AQUA , surveying the reasons for the choice of certification to be deployed and to analyzing the main benefits perceived by certified organizations. Concepts related to the topic were obtained from the literature, leading to the development of a questionnaire that was applied in organizations that have gone through the above certifications . From the analysis of questionnaires, it was possible to highlight that the main reasons for the adoption of an environmental certificate in the construction industry are linked to economic issues such as greater market recognition and appreciation of the project and what is still needed to invest in environmental awareness industry and the whole society

EDiferentes tipologias de edificação e o ser sustentável mediante o LEED e o CBCS

The principles and dimensions of sustainability concept is increasingly gaining ground within the building industry. Over the past decades, its applicability within the different environments and for different buildings typologies have been study to attend better the present populations and future generations. It is within this scenario that international certifications started to appear. The most famous and developed one being LEED certification system. In Brazil, as a support to the certification and also sustainability practices and conducts, was founded the Brazilian Council for Sustainable Construction (CBCS). The council and the certifications have the objective to disseminate and generate awareness to reduce energy and water consumption, aiming for life quality. Many constructions around de country have already the international certification, which also boost the rise of national certifications with specific criteria for the national context. However, such certificates are mainly destiny for medium and high standard buildings, often as a commercial advantage to explain the high costs. The purpose of this work is to be able to define what is being sustainable in the construction industry, taking for basis, LEED and CBCS. In addition, since there is a significant increase in the production of Housing Social Interest, the other angles will be to analyze how to apply the practices and sustainable technologies for low-cost projects with the objective to balance the three dimensions of sustainability: environmental, social and economics.

EDiferentes tipologias de edificação e o ser sustentável mediante o LEED e o CBCS

The principles and dimensions of sustainability concept is increasingly gaining ground within the building industry. Over the past decades, its applicability within the different environments and for different buildings typologies have been study to attend better the present populations and future generations. It is within this scenario that international certifications started to appear. The most famous and developed one being LEED certification system. In Brazil, as a support to the certification and also sustainability practices and conducts, was founded the Brazilian Council for Sustainable Construction (CBCS). The council and the certifications have the objective to disseminate and generate awareness to reduce energy and water consumption, aiming for life quality. Many constructions around de country have already the international certification, which also boost the rise of national certifications with specific criteria for the national context. However, such certificates are mainly destiny for medium and high standard buildings, often as a commercial advantage to explain the high costs. The purpose of this work is to be able to define what is being sustainable in the construction industry, taking for basis, LEED and CBCS. In addition, since there is a significant increase in the production of Housing Social Interest, the other angles will be to analyze how to apply the practices and sustainable technologies for low-cost projects with the objective to balance the three dimensions of sustainability: environmental, social and economics.

ADOPTING LEED CERTIFICATION IN LODGING FACILITIES: GREENING THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

The research intended to analyze the adoption process of the green certification "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design" (LEED) from the hotel sector establishments that has already adopted it. For its concretization it was proceeded a bibliographical research, secondary fact-gathering in journals, institutional sites and documentaries, and primary fact-gathering by means of semi structured interviews carried out with responsible people of the certified hotels and of the responsible entity of the certification in Brazil (Green Building Council Brazil). There were 21 interviewee, being 02 of the GBC Brazil and 19 of means of lodging (31% of the certified). For data analysis, it was utilized content analysis technique with the aid of ATLAS.ti software. The results permitted to identify the chronology of the processes of certification and the profile of the hotel categories that adopt the LEED program. Beyond that, the interviews enabled the discussion of the initial motivations for seeking the certification, as well the advantages and the obstacles perceived regarding its adoption.

Adoção da certificação leed em meios de hospedagem: esverdeando a hotelaria?

A pesquisa objetivou analisar o processo de adoção da certificação "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design" (LEED) a partir dos estabelecimentos do setor hoteleiro que já a adotaram. Para sua concretização procedeu-se uma pesquisa bibliográfica, coleta de dados secundários em sites institucionais, periódicos e material documental, bem como de dados primários por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas. Foram 21 entrevistados, sendo 02 do Green Building Council Brasil e 19 de meios de hospedagem (31% dos certificados). A análise deu-se por meio da análise de conteúdo com auxílio do software ATLAS.ti. Os resultados permitiram identificar a cronologia dos processos de certificação e o perfil das categorias hoteleiras que adotam o programa LEED. Além disso, as entrevistas possibilitaram a discussão das motivações iniciais de busca pela certificação, bem como as vantagens e os entraves percebidos quanto à sua adoção.