New Leed rating system by November

The UAE and other countries can expect to see the final outcome of plans to produce a new version of the Leed green building rating system by November this year.

The original Leed – or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – programme was drawn up by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) to provide a set of standards for sustainable construction.

The updated version, called Leed 2009, is being developed following a 30-day public consultation period that ended on June 22.

"The process is still in the balloting period and it might be premature to pre-empt the outcome before November 2008," said Mario Seneviratne, founder and secretary to the board of the Emirates Green Building Council (EGBC).

"We are working very closely with the USGBC to assist in producing the most appropriate version for this region. There are lots of permutations and combinations possible when it comes to creating a system that can work for all and certain sections will be country specific."

The new version, which is expected to come into operation in January 2009, will reorganise commercial rating schemes by consolidating, aligning and updating them into one system, according to the USGBC.

Seneviratne, Director of Dubai-based Green Technologies and a member of the board of the World Green Building Council, added: "It is a very futuristic idea to have a single rating system but it will be made more adaptable to specific regions.

"The current system is not weighted and this new code will try to achieve a balance in the rating system.

"What is really commendable is that everyone in the UAE is trying to participate in sustainable building practices and going green. Abu Dhabi has its own initiative and so does Dubai and the Dubai Municipality.

"And major developers are taking the guidelines and trying to incorporate changes within their projects. It is new for this country but everyone is gearing up to be part of this issue of sustainability. I do not think we will be completely able to fulfil all the criteria but it is enough that we are all becoming part of the transformation."

He said it was a myth that the Leed system could not be applied worldwide.

"Leed has a US code option or a local code. We are talking about best practices here and most of it has been globalised. Besides, LEED is suited to the UAE," he added.

However the certification process has been criticised on many counts over the years. Sceptics in the construction industry say it is too rigid, costly and cumbersome and points are awarded illogically.

More than 1,500 buildings have received LEED certification since the programme was introduced in 2000 and applications have been submitted in respect of a further 11,000.

The Leed certifications are available in eight categories – new construction, existing buildings, commercial interiors, core and shell, retail, schools, healthcare and homes.

Another category, for neighbourhood developments, is in the pilot stage.

Leed promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognising performance in five key areas – sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

Points are awarded for specific practices in each area and are verified by an independent third party.

A building is awarded a silver, gold or platinum ranking depending on the number of points earned.

The EGBC is a non-profit organisation with more than 160 participants comprising corporate, individual and board members.