Today, the role and significance of sustainability within the built environment is becoming more prominent. Whilst many industries and sectors around the world produce waste, the global building and construction industry has become one of its largest producers of greenhouse gases (GHG), shown to be a significant driver of climate change. These gases are produced through the industry’s global value chain, waste created through construction processes, and the excessive energy consumption of inefficiently designed buildings once they become operational and occupied.
With increasing levels of investments being made into the built environment for the creation of wealth, expansion of industries for meeting the needs of a growing global economy, and meeting the needs of people, the benefits accrued with adopting and implementing sustainable or green building principles and practices can have a profound and positive impact on people, the planet, and profitability of businesses.
One of the key tools being used to address these challenges is the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certification system. With over 80,000 projects in more than 162 countries, LEED is known to be one of the world’s most widely used green building rating systems in the world. The LEED certification can be applied to most building and project types with the aim of reducing carbon emissions, saving energy, reducing the impact on the natural environment, and improving the lives of its occupants and users. LEED also provides the mechanisms and tools for monitoring the performance of these buildings once completed, thus allowing building owners and managers to track and evaluate the benefits of using sustainable building practices.
Apart from buildings, individuals can also become certified. This increases the demand for professionals who can work with LEED, making the LEED Green Associate one of the more common and important credentials a person seeking to get involved in the green building industry can have. These Associates are required to lead, support, and strengthen project and design teams on best practice and principles. They can also seek out additional sources of savings by getting involved at all phases of development, from design to construction, commissioning, operation, and maintenance.
Anyone considering a career in facilities management, project management, architecture, mechanical engineering, real estate, and any other significant role within the construction industry should consider becoming a LEED Green Associate.
In 2022, the Trinidad and Tobago Green Building Council (TTGBC) will be continuing its LEED Green Associate Examination Prep programme. Our online course consists of six (6) 2-hour modules and addresses the fundamentals of the Green Associate Exam. The course also includes online access to seven hundred (700) practice test questions. All of the courses are presented by LEED Green Associate® and LEED AP® credentialed professionals.
Once you’re done preparing, take the exam. You will have two (2) hours to answer one hundred (100) questions. The exam is scored from 125 to 200 points and you need at least 170 to pass. The exam is designed to measure and test your knowledge of green building practices, through a mix of recall, application, and analysis. Once you become a LEED Green Associate, you are required to report fifteen (15) hours of continuing education every two (2) years to show that you are keeping up to date with your knowledge.
For information and how to register for the training programme, please visit our page at https://ttgbc.org/leed-green-associate-exam-training/.
