LEED Zero Carbon Certification

LEED is an international rating program for designing buildings that are environmentally excellent and support sustainable means of living. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Through the LEED rating system, USGBC recognises buildings that are environmentally sustainable and energy efficient. One of the certifications given by the USGBC is LEED Zero Carbon Certification for operating a building with net zero carbon emissions and energy efficiency. It holds immense significance in India as India is topping the charts in LEED Zero Carbon Certified buildings. Two of the major corporates who are excelling in having LZC Certification are ITC and DLF. If your building satisfies the basic requirements that need to be fulfilled to get the certification then you can also get the certification through Corpseed at ease.

What is USGBC?

The USGBC stands for US Green Building Council. It recognises green buildings that are based on the principles of sustainability. It includes energy efficiency, carbon emission and regenerative measures for natural resources like water and rightful waste disposal. All these factors contribute to a LEED Zero Certification. This council works on a global front and encourages builders to adapt the new ways to design buildings and communities ensuring a socially responsible, healthy and prosperous environment for future generations. The term ‘green building’ is used for LEED-certified buildings.

Role of GBCI

GBCI plays a significant role in certifying the buildings according to the standards set by the US Green Building Council for environmentally viable building designs. GBCI stands for Green Business Certification Inc. It was established with the support of the US Green Building Council to independently certify businesses that are committed to implementing green standards and leading the world to a sustainable future. Initially, the GBCI was providing LEED Certifications but now it provides many other certifications in the green business category exclusively including EDGE, PEER, WELL, SITES, TRUE etc. Businesses that conform to the LEED Zero Carbon Certification, can also obtain the same from GBCI.

Significance of LEED Zero Projects

LEED Zero projects are designed in a manner to minimise the resource usage and overall environmental impact of the project. It focuses on using alternative renewable energy sources and renewable ways of living. The sustainability goals in these businesses are obtained through various recycling techniques including water and waste recycling. The water is repurposed and the waste is transformed into usable materials. The object of LEED Zero projects is to have a balance of zero energy consumption, potable water consumption, carbon emission, and waste management. When calculating the balance of consumption of resources by a project, a period of the past twelve months is taken into consideration.

There are various types of LEED Zero Certifications and the LEED Zero Carbon Certification is just one of them. These LEED Zero certifications are as follows-

• LEED Zero Carbon Certification
• LEED Zero Energy Certification
• LEED Zero Water Certification
• LEED Zero Waste Certification

Who can get LEED Zero Carbon Certification?

LEED Zero Carbon Certification is provided to the buildings. It can be any kind of business building, educational building, industrial project, residential business etc. DLF and ITC are two top-performing companies from India in the global ranking list of LEED Zero Carbon Certified projects. DLF is in the real estate business while ITC holds a significant share in the FMCG and hotel business in India. All these building owners need to do is to ensure net zero carbon emissions over the course of the last twelve months.

Getting a LEED Zero Carbon Certification is a matter of pride for a business or country itself. India surpassed the US and China in terms of most number of LEED Zero Certified Businesses globally. Some of the major benefits, LEED Zero Carbon Certification comes with are as follows-

• LEED-certified buildings play a crucial role in reducing environmental stress. By adhering to strict sustainability standards, these structures minimize their impact on the environment.
• One of the notable benefits of LEED certification is the significant reduction in waste generation and energy consumption. These buildings are designed with a focus on efficiency, utilizing advanced insulation, LED lighting, and smart HVAC systems.
• LEED certification places a strong emphasis on optimizing the use of water and other resources. Water-saving fixtures, rainwater harvesting systems, and efficient irrigation techniques are commonly integrated into the design of these buildings. 
• In addition to their environmental benefits, LEED-certified buildings are also known for their lower operating costs. Through improved energy efficiency, reduced water usage, and minimized maintenance needs, these buildings offer long-term financial advantages to owners and occupants alike.

If you are a project owner and seeking LEED Zero Carbon Certification then you need to fulfil some prior requirements before you apply for the examination and certification of your business. These requirements are as follows-

• The project must be LEED Certified under Building Design and Construction or the Building Operations and Maintenance rating system.
• If the project is Core or Shell-certified, it can apply for the LEED Zero Carbon Certification only when the project’s average occupancy is fifty per cent or greater over the past twelve months.
• The projects need to furnish twelve months of performance data for the certification they are seeking.
• At the time of achieving the carbon dioxide equivalent of zero, the team submits data for the GBCI (Green Business Certification Inc.) review. And the same shall be obtained before the LEED Zero Carbon Certification.

You can get the LEED Zero Carbon Certification only if you satisfy the above-mentioned requirements. After this, you need to apply to the US Green Building Council to examine the premises and provide the LEED Zero Carbon Certification for your building. The process of the certification comprises the following steps-

• Registration

The USGBC provides registration to projects that wish to get LEED Zero Carbon Certified. For the registration, you need to inform the council about the details of your project. It does not include a registration fee. Corpseed prepares the documents and submits the details of your project to register it with the council.

• Preparation of Performance Data

The next step is to prepare the performance data for the past twelve months as the same is examined to determine that the building is carbon neutral which means that the carbon emissions are nullified by adopting environmentally friendly practices. This data is recorded by the building administration and submitted at the time of LEED Zero Carbon Certification. Corpseed provides relevant assistance to ensure the data is recorded in an appropriate manner so that the certification process goes smoothly.

• Documentation

Compliance with the net zero carbon target is not enough, you also need to get it recorded in an appropriate manner so that the data can be submitted to the Green Building Council in a valid format. For this Corpseed uses the widely accepted, and authoritative platforms that help to record a wide range of performance data for buildings and ensure the timely execution of service and delivery of LEED Zero Carbon Certificate for your building.

• Submission of Application

The application, after being duly prepared by Corpseed is sent to the appropriate authority along with the data required to be analysed before providing the certification. Based on the validity of the application the council moves to the next step which is the application review.

• Application Review

The application review is done in two parts by the GBCI (Green Business Certification Inc.). The first part is a preliminary review and the second one is a final review. The total time taken by the review process can extend from fifteen to twenty business days.

• Grant of Certification

Finally, after the final review, if the GBCI and the Council are satisfied with the performance of your building, it issues a LEED Zero Carbon Certification for your business. After receiving the certificate you need to comply with the rules it prescribes for the validity of the certificate.

The LEED Zero Carbon Certification is valid for three years from the date of issuance. During this period the business needs to report the performance data to the council at regular intervals. Which ensures compliance with the certification. After the time of three years is over, you need to recertify your building to keep the LEED Zero Carbon Certification up-to-date.

Cost of LEED Zero Carbon Certification

The cost for the registration under the LEED Zero Carbon Certification is nil and you only need to pay the fees for the certification review. In that manner, the total cost of LEED Zero Carbon Certification spans from sixteen hundred dollars to thirty-four hundred dollars which is revised from time to time. This cost depends on the area of the building. If you are already a LEED member then you also get a discount according to the membership type.

At Corpseed, we recognise the significance of LEED Zero Carbon Certification and how it can propel your business to new levels of achievement. Our team of seasoned professionals possesses extensive expertise and a deep understanding of the procedures required in the process to get the LEED Zero Certifications. We are well-versed in the legalities and regulations, guaranteeing a smooth and efficient issuance of the certificate. With our expertise, you can be confident that your registration will be handled with utmost care and precision. Corpseed acts as a one-stop solution for all your business needs.