ASSESSMENT OF LEED REQUIREMENTS FOR ENERGY AND ATMOSPHERE FOR DEVELOPING A LOCAL CERTIFICATION SYSTEM

Abstract

Building construction is a major industry that uses a considerable amount of energy and causes extensive atmospheric pollution. Around 30-40% of energy consumption as well as 15% of greenhouse gas emissions originate from construction activities. As a result, sustainability is of special importance, from the extraction of construction materials to building operation and maintenance. Given the increasing demand for energy worldwide, energy efficiency and renewable energy sources have special importance for a sustainable future. Green building certification systems, with their increasing importance and popularity in developing and developed countries, pursue higher goals for energy efficiency and pollution prevention. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is the preferred rating system in the world. LEED assigns 32% of the available rating points to the energy and atmosphere category. The subject country of this study, Turkey, is developing local certification systems based on the characteristics of the Turkish construction industry. The leading study, Turkish National Green Building Certification - Homes (TNGBC-H), has not been introduced yet as it is still being developed. This study focuses on the codes and standards that will possibly be used in these certification systems, such as the Code for Building Energy Performance prepared by the Turkish Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, and the Turkish standards related to energy and atmosphere. This paper compares the standards and regulations referred to by LEED and TNGBC-H and makes suggestions for a coherent and efficient future certification system in Turkey.