Proposal for the introduction of the “LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance” Rating System to Canada August 29, 2008
Context – The LEED Canada Initiative In addition to promoting green building principles and benefits to policy-makers, building owners, managers and professionals across the country, the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) holds the license for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) in Canada. LEED is a powerful brand and framework that has driven transformational improvement in the market by establishing and maintaining best performance levels in building energy and water efficiency, and best practices in environmental design. Successfully introduced in Canada in 2003, LEED Canada New Construction (NC) for commercial, institutional and high-rise residential building projects has prompted industry interest in other green building rating systems. LEED has been embraced by building owners, industry practitioners and policy-makers in many jurisdictions, with over 9.7 million square meters of new construction registered and certified in Canada, and is thereby accelerating action on energy efficiency and greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions reduction. On average, LEED Canada-NC-certified buildings are 50% more energyefficient than other buildings (35% better than the Model National Energy Code for Buildings). The LEED Canada Initiative, being developed in collaboration with the United States Green Building Council to ensure a unified LEED system in North America, is creating the next generation of the rating system, by going beyond new construction to address Existing Buildings, Homes and Neighborhood Development (ND). The development of the LEED rating systems for homes and ND is well underway. Building owners in the private and public sector are particularly interested in opportunities to improve the performance of existing buildings in Canada. Given the strategic importance of achieving large-scale reductions GHG emissions with lasting benefits for all regions of the country, the Council is accelerating the development of LEED Canada 2009 for Existing Buildings: Operations Maintenance (LEED Canada 2009 EBOM) in Canada to meet today’s market demand for proven solutions. In the US, LEED EBOM has been an effective tool to reduce energy consumption, demand and costs in existing buildings. In this Rating System, lighting power, lighting controls, HVAC and equipment/appliances are seen as the best opportunities to achieve these reductions. Procurement of green power is also promoted to reduce GHG and environmental impacts from energy generation. However, the system is about more than energy use efficiency. LEED Canada 2009 EBOM will address operational and management practices to protect indoor environmental quality, site habitat and stormwater, and to optimize potable water consumption, while promoting low-impact building materials and consumables, and many other issues. It is intended to publicly recognize leaders in sustainable building operations in the marketplace.
The CaGBC is seeking funding from industry and government to undertake this work and introduce LEED Canada 2009 EBOM into the Canadian market by February 2009.
Sponsorship Benefits Contributors to the adaptation and launch of LEED Canada 2009 EBOM project will be: Recognized as founding sponsors of LEED Canada 2009 EBOM on the CaGBC website and in the printed English & French reference guide; Invited to participate in the official launch of LEED Canada 2009 EBOM (February 2009), and Recognized as founding sponsors in the introductory slide show at all LEED Canada 2009 EBOM technical workshops delivered across the country, in both official languages.
Scope The CaGBC is working closely with the USGBC and green building experts from across Canada to accelerate the adaptation of the US rating system. This approach offers several benefits: LEED Canada 2009 EBOM can be implemented quickly; Users can go to the CaGBC for LEED Canada 2009 EBOM registration, certification & technical support; CaGBC is providing a “one-stop shop” for the building industry on green building information and rating systems. The adaptation of LEED Canada 2009 EBOM requires a significant effort by the Council, including: Coordinating a volunteer LEED Canada 2009 EBOM Task Force that provides industry recommendations to CaGBC on development and adaptation issues; Review and edit the technical content of the Rating System and Reference Guide documents and associated tools to reflect and streamline the CaGBC’s certification and interpretation process; Translate the Rating System and Reference Guide documents into French; Develop and implement the certification review and user submittal processes and tools in both official languages; A dedicated project manager to oversee the LEED Canada 2009 EBOM introduction and ensure the system is launched on target and on budget; and Design and printing of LEED Canada 2009 EBOM materials for users.
Budget The total budget for the introduction of LEED-EBOM to the Canadian market is estimated to be $200,000. The CaGBC is looking to raise funding from industry and government through contributions of $10,000 from each sponsor. A contribution of $25,000 would qualify for a GOLD sponsorship. The CaGBC has dedicated a project manager to fasttrack the LEED EBOM adaptation process.
Schedule The approach is aimed at implementing LEED Canada 2009 EBOM as soon as possible, aiming at a completion date of February 2009. The supporting Task Force is in place as well as a project manager.
LEED Canada 2009 EBOM Task Force A LEED Canada 2009 EBOM Task Force has been established to provide strategic oversight of the adaptation process. The Committee is made up of industry and Council representatives. The Committee will work closely with the CaGBC Product Steering Committee and report regularly on its progress to the CaGBC Board of Directors. The CaGBC has dedicated a project manager to support the LEED Canada 2009 EBOM Task Force in its efforts to adapt and launch the Rating System. More specifically the project manager is liaising with the USGBC on the adaptation of the rating system, and this person is responsible for coordinating the technical and translation work on the LEED Canada 2009 EBOM Reference Guide; managing subcontractors and conducting research as required.
Contact If you are interested in supporting the CaGBC in its efforts to introduce LEED EBOM into Canada please contact: Thomas Mueller President Canada Green Building Council tmueller@cagbc.org 604-831-0651