The
topic of home construction is much more intricate today than ever before, but
not necessarily because we need bigger or flashier homes, but because people
want smarter buildings. Whereas "environmentally-friendly” and "sustainable
building” were once terms reserved for intellectuals to sit around and debate,
these have no become a part of society's collective conscious, and the consumer
is looking for results in their desire to help improve the planet. This does
not mean that there now needs to be an additional cost to the builder, but in
fact opens the doors not only to potential savings, but also in an easier,
faster way of construction.
What is LEED® Certification?
Leadership
in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a third party accreditation
and certification program which sets standards for green building in many
countries around the world and also adapts those standards to different
environments. For example the standards which are implemented in Australia
would differ greatly than those which would be utilized in Canada based on our
vastly different climates. The Canada
Green Building Council (CaGBC) holds the sole license for LEED in Canada.
Receiving
your certification in LEED recognizes your company as a leader in
green
building and stands as your
silent pledge to the environment and sound construction practices. Being part
of this global initiative is a symbol of your desire to leave a healthier
future to the generations of tomorrow and holds a company accountable for
continuing to implement these important practices.
Why Are Green
Homes in Canada Important?
The
answer is the same in much of the world – to minimize our impact on the
environment. However in Canada we are incredibly lucky to have not used up as
much of our supplies or done harm to the natural beauty of our country as many
other developed nations. As well as being a measure to reduce pollution,
enabling these practices now and having them become habit will ensure we don't
have as much work ahead of us in cleaning up as many other countries do.
Sustainable
building refers to the creation of a structure though environmentally friendly
methods which, of course, can be sustained. Building out of certified wood
would be one example as it is plentiful, natural, does not require much for
processing, and can be easily replaced for future projects. Utilizing building
materials from former construction projects is also another way of sustainable
building as no new emissions need to be created for the material to be
repurposed.
What Role does the CaGBC Play in
All This?
The
Canada Green Building Council is guide and keeper of these standards in Canada,
as well as for all
green building methods and practices throughout the country. The highly
valuable membership provides not only information to companies which wish to
implement more environmentally conscious efforts, but also hands on training
and multiple workshops to see it in practical application.
There
are three ways to connect with the CaGBC. National
memberships are for companies or organizations, large or small, in the green
building industry. Benefits are extended to all employees. Chapter memberships are for individuals who
want to engage with the green building industry on a local level in one of the
eight CaGBC chapter regions across Canada. Emerging Green Builder (EGB)
memberships are available for those new to the industry and under 30 years of
age to help nurture their professional networks and education.
The
council and its Chapters provide a forum for expressing new ideas and for
discussing between peers what works in real life as opposed to just on paper.
The future is important, and with the world rapidly evolving changes that used
to take hundreds of years are now happening in a few short decades. Going green
is not just a choice which will effect tomorrow, but which will also determine
the course of today.