There is so much “green” information out there right now. Clearly it’s the current politically correct frame of reference—and perhaps a bit tired and banal already. Can those of us not in engineering or architecture get by on a need-to-know basis only? Like efforts to change to metrics, will it just lapse to the background? Or, like computers in mid-career, will it be a fundamental change and become largely non-negotiable?

Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) deals with buildings. Buildings produce more carbon dioxide than transportation or industry. In fact, buildings use 40 percent of energy, about 75 percent of all electrical consumption, emit roughly 40 percent of the carbon dioxide, contribute 65 percent of waste output and use 14 percent of the world’s drinkable water (12 percent in the United States).

Really, it’s surprising buildings weren’t targeted long ago. Further, given people spend on average roughly 90 percent of their time indoors, indoor air quality and lighting are crucial, as is the increased productivity of a healthy environment.

LEED is a rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).  The USGBC draws from a wide range of disciplines—government, product manufacturers, building code officials, property managers, landscapers, architects, builders, engineers and so on—in developing its standard. The focus is an integrated, whole-building design concept, more of a process than a rigid code of do’s and don’ts.  

LEED is important because it’s creating a national standard, and that standard not only creates a method of measurement, but also recognizes environmental leadership in the building industry, stimulates green competition, raises the public’s awareness of benefits and really is transforming the global building market. It translates into earnings, choices, better land planning and healthy surroundings.

In the commercial sector, corporate America, institutions and government there is a transformation unfolding, led by LEED. So if it’s not our own building, it is our client’s building or way of doing business, the companies we invest in, the direction of our business schools, the leadership provided by our government and cultural institutions and basically a bellwether of our future tangent.

On the governmental front, the Energy Independence & Security Act of 2007 set off LEED requirements for federal buildings. The state likewise has mandated change through executive directives and an extension of a tax deduction for commercial buildings through 2014. Nationally, over half of the states are mandating or encouraging LEED for their buildings and some of our own cities have done the same.

There are estimates of reducing our energy use by 25-50 percent, CO emissions by 33-40 percent, water use by 40 percent and solid waste by 70 percent. Each one is a huge environmental and financial gain for us all.

As the computer revolution caused big jumps in productivity resulting in significant market growth, it seems conserving and building smart can cause growth as well—through lower expenses and increased productivity to form a better working environment. Clearly LEED offers some immediate advantages. Just like the thoughtful structures it helps design, LEED is solidly positioned to benefit future generations.

		A commercial appraiser, broker and attorney, Val Lafferty provides valuation, acquisition and project management services to Market Street Land Services and legal services to Elder Law of Michigan (ELM). Lafferty can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .