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How is a LEED certificate useful?

Certified buildings save money, increase staff efficiency, and decrease carbon emissions.

Well-being of your people and a better working environment.

Tenants require a green label – a common important requirement set to owners of real estate.

Compliance with LEED standards is becoming widespread when designing new buildings.

Sustainability and protecting the environment have become a part of the business culture of companies.

A green certificate could help get a bank loan with more favourable terms.

Kairi Nõulik

Head of Real Estate Sustainability

Energy-efficient building and good indoor climate

LEED is the most widely used international green building rating system. It provides an assurance from an independent third party (the United States Green Building Council) that a building is designed, constructed, and managed on a day-to-day basis in a way that is sustainable for people and the environment.

LEED certification means that the building in question is in a sustainable location, its indoor climate meets quality standards, and water, energy, and other materials are used with efficiency principles in mind.

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LEED certificate – for which buildings/structures?

  • Office and commercial buildings
  • Warehouses and industrial buildings
  • Medical and healthcare establishments
  • Retail premises
  • Public buildings
  • Apartment buildings
  • Individual rental premises
  • Outdoor areas/neighbourhoods

Buildings consume large amounts of energy and resources. Buildings with green certificates save money, increase efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and makes people feel better. That way, LEED certification also contributes directly to the achievement of ESG objectives.

LEED as an indicator of quality

The certificate is becoming a trusted indicator of quality for new developments as well as older buildings, which the tenants increasingly ask for when moving into a building.

With the help of Forus, over 30 buildings have received a LEED certificate. We are a member of your team when planning or renovating a building, evaluating the compliance of solutions with the requirements of LEED and making the entire process easy for you.

Buildings currently create nearly 40% of global greenhouse gases due to their energy consumption. Did you know that LEED certified buildings emit 34% less CO2 on average?

LEED certificate – why should I consider it?

Protecting the environment and remaining energy-efficient

The carbon footprint of your building and energy expenses are considerably smaller.

Great indoor climate

Maximum energy savings are not the only focus. The interior climate of the building must be protected so that its inhabitants and users would feel comfortable there.

Higher rental income and a competitive advantage

Green buildings are more attractive to tenants, who are also willing to pay a higher rent.

Measurable outcome and international credentials

The certificate is an internationally recognised confirmation which is accompanied by extremely thorough calculations of the efficiency of the building compared to regular buildings.

LEED certificate – why should I consider it?

Protecting the environment and remaining energy-efficient

The carbon footprint of your building and energy expenses are considerably smaller.

Great indoor climate

Maximum energy savings are not the only focus. The interior climate of the building must be protected so that its inhabitants and users would feel comfortable there.

Higher rental income and a competitive advantage

Green buildings are more attractive to tenants, who are also willing to pay a higher rent.

Measurable outcome and international credentials

The certificate is an internationally recognised confirmation which is accompanied by extremely thorough calculations of the efficiency of the building compared to regular buildings.

How does it work?

LEED is a comprehensive system.

The entire life cycle of a building under construction or one that is already finished is evaluated in five main categories:

  • location of the building, accessibility, and construction of the building;
  • water use and waste;
  • energy use – heating, cooling, and electricity consumption of the building;
  • use of materials and resources;
  • the quality of indoor climate and the satisfaction of people working there.

LEED certification has four different levels; the specific level awarded to an owner of a building is determined by the points earned. In order to earn a certificate, the building must receive at least 40 points.

Platinum
80+ points
Gold
60-79 points
Silver
50-59 points
Certified
40-49 points

How does the LEED certification process work?

The first step in the certification process is a preliminary study, as a result of which, the optimum LEED level of the building is set for the project. After the preliminary study, terms of reference are prepared for the parties to the project (architect, designers, owner’s supervision, construction team, owner) and instructions are given on how to implement LEED requirements.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What is the origin of the LEED certificate?

The LEED (Leadership on Energy and Environmental Design) certification is an internationally recognised green building rating system which was created by the United States Green Building Council in 1993. The certificates are issued by the USGBC (the United States Green Building Council).

How long does the LEED certification process take and how much does it cost?

The LEED rating process starts when the building design or planning begins. It ends with the completion of the building. The final documents can be prepared after the building is completed. In the case of a new commercial building, it would take about two or three years. The price depends on many factors as well as the building.

Is earning a certificate complicated?

We at Forus prioritise your comfort as a client and bear the brunt of making sense of the requirements and complicated professional lingo (LEED requirements were created in the US). We have delved into the requirements and made the entire process as easy as possible for ourselves; we also explain everything to our clients in plain language. We have consulted on many buildings, prepare thoroughly, and have completed the entire process dozens of times. We know what works and what does not.

Which buildings can earn a LEED certificate?

Almost all buildings can earn LEED credentials, including only a single floor. So far, the only type of building that Forus has not certified is a private residence.

Is LEED certificate only for new buildings?

No, a LEED certificate can be issued for older buildings as well as ones still in the design stage. We have several positive examples of older buildings, such as the Viru Keskus shopping centre, the Veerenni health centre, etc.

How does the certification process differ in the case of newer and older buildings?

For completely new buildings, a quality label can be awarded without a term; however, buildings that are already completed and in use must be recertified every three years to determine whether progress is being made towards the objectives set to the building and towards sustainability.

What is the role of the consultant throughout the project?

An energy performance consultant of Forus is a member of the team in a building design or renovation project who assesses the LEED compliance of the solutions and guides the rest of the team in meeting them.

The consultant prepares the terms of reference, provides guidance, and coordinates and prepares the documentation required for the certificate. The consultant is also the person who communicates with international parties involved in the application process, such as USGBC (the US Green Building Council) and GBCI (Green Business Certification Inc.).

During the design phase, the consultant helps carry out an energy simulation to ensure that the systems operate according to the planned metrics. At the end of the certification process, i.e. after the completion of the building, the final document to be submitted to the consultant is the report of the integrated tests carried out by the builder and the owner’s supervision. This document is one of the prerequisites for LEED certification.

How is a LEED certificate useful?

  • Certified buildings save money, increase staff efficiency, and decrease carbon emissions.
  • Well-being of your people and a better working environment.
  • Tenants require a green label – a common important requirement set to owners of real estate.
  • Compliance with LEED standards is becoming widespread when designing new buildings.
  • Sustainability and protecting the environment have become a part of the business culture of companies.
  • A green certificate could help get a bank loan with more favourable terms.

Get in touch! You will be contacted by our Head of Real Estate Sustainability.

Kairi Nõulik

Head of Real Estate Sustainability

Get in touch! You will be contacted by our Head of Real Estate Sustainability.

Kairi Nõulik

Head of Real Estate Sustainability

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