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

LEED certification is a process that evaluates the environmental performance and sustainability of a building project based on a set of rating systems. To earn LEED certification, a project must satisfy all the mandatory requirements, or prerequisites, of the chosen rating system, and earn a minimum number of points by meeting optional criteria, or credits. The number of points determines the level of certification: Certified (40-49 points), Silver (50-59 points), Gold (60-79 points), or Platinum (80+ points)123.

Employing a LEED AP (Accredited Professional) on the project team is not a requirement for LEED certification, but it can provide an advantage, as LEED APs have demonstrated their knowledge and expertise in green building and LEED rating systems. Having a LEED AP on the project team can also earn one point under the Integrative Process credit4.

Conducting a whole-building life-cycle assessment is not a requirement for LEED certification, but it can be an option for earning points under the Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction credit. A life-cycle assessment is a method of evaluating the environmental impacts of a building over its entire life span, from extraction of materials to disposal or reuse3.

Earning a minimum of 50 points or meeting a prerequisite is not a sufficient condition for LEED certification, as it does not account for the other prerequisites or the level of certification. A project must meet all the prerequisites and earn at least 40 points to qualify for the lowest level of certification

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.

SRI is a measure of a material's ability to reflect solar heat (reflectivity) and release absorbed heat (emissivity). This index helps evaluate materials for reducing the heat island effect under the Sustainable Sites category​​.

The LEED rating systems reference the standards of various organizations that are relevant to green building design, construction, and operation. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is one of these organizations, and its standards cover topics such as fire safety, electrical safety, emergency power systems, and fire suppression systems. The LEED rating systems reference the NFPA standards in several credits and prerequisites, such as Minimum Energy Performance, Minimum Indoor Air Quality Performance, and Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control.

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What is LEED certification?

LEED - Wikipedia

A building that is located on a site without access to public transportation can have a high environmental impact associated with how the occupants get to and from the building, such as greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, energy consumption, and traffic congestion. One of the strategies that a project team can implement in order to reduce this impact is to provide incentives for carpooling, which is a form of alternative transportation that involves sharing a vehicle with other passengers who have similar travel routes or destinations. Providing incentives for carpooling can encourage the occupants to reduce their single-occupancy vehicle trips and use fewer vehicles, which can save fuel, reduce emissions, and lower parking demand. Some examples of incentives for carpooling are: subsidies, vouchers, discounts,prizes, recognition, or preferential parking12. References: LEED v4 Green Associate Candidate Handbook1, LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide2

Social responsibility is one of the factors that contribute to the triple bottom line. The triple bottom line is a framework that measures the performance of an organization or a project based on three dimensions: environmental, social, and economic. Social responsibility refers to the ethical obligation of an organization or a project to consider the impacts of its decisions and actions on society and stakeholders, such as employees, customers, communities, and future generations. The other options are not factors that contribute to the triple bottom line. Global security is a broad concept that encompasses various aspects of international relations, such as peace, human rights, justice, and cooperation. Project balance sheet is a financial statement that summarizes the assets, liabilities, and equity of a project at a given point in time. Green metrics and verification are tools and methods that quantify and validate the environmental performance of a project or a product. References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, page 31; USGBC [LEED v4 Impact Category: Triple Bottom Line], page 1.

Waste that is transported or diverted to landfills can have negative impacts on the environment, such as occupying valuable land, contaminating soil and water, and emitting harmful gases. One of the most significant impacts is the production of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming and climate change. Methane is generated when organic waste decomposes anaerobically (without oxygen) in landfills. Methane has a global warming potential 28 times higher than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period12. References: LEED v4 Green Associate Candidate Handbook1, EPA’s Landfill Methane Outreach Program2

Strategically locating functional and decorative hardscape on a project site can reduce the amount of on-site impervious area. Impervious surfaces are surfaces that do not allow water to infiltrate into the ground (e.g., concrete or asphalt). By reducing these surfaces, we can increase water infiltration, which helps recharge groundwater supplies and reduces stormwater runoff that can lead to erosion and water pollution. References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, U.S. Green Building Council resources

Installing new flush valves or flow restrictors is a low-cost strategy to improve water efficiency. These devices reduce the amount of water used in each flush or flow, leading to significant water savings over time. Other strategies like installing subsurface cisterns to collect stormwater, using only compostable toilets throughout the facility, or incorporating an on-site blackwater treatment system can also improve water efficiency, but they typically involve higher upfront costs. References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, U.S. Green Building Council resources

The USGBC administers the LEED credentialing programs, which include the LEED Green Associate and the LEED AP with specialty credentials. The USGBC does not administer the LEED exams, the LEED rating systems development, or the LEED project certification.

The LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook states that “The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) administers the LEED credentialing programs related to green building practice” 1, page 3.

The same handbook also states that “The Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) administers the LEED professional credential exams” 1, page 3.

The LEED AP with Specialty Candidate Handbook states that “The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is responsible for the development of the LEED rating systems” 2, page 3.

The same handbook also states that “The Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) administers project certification for all commercial and institutional projects pursuing LEED certification under any of the current rating systems” 2, page 3.