LEED accreditation

[Nick Bryer]

Hi. I’m currently working on writing a properly enforceable, workable environmental policy for our union, and really want to include in it a stipulation that any construction companies with whom we have contracts must adhere to acceptable environmental standards. I’ve heard mention of LEED many times, but can only find information on it in relation to American companies. Does anyone know if it operates over here, or, if not, is there a British equivalent? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also, if any of your unions already have a working Environmental Policy, and wouldn’t mind sharing it, I’d really appreciate having a look at others.

Thanks very much.

Nick

 

Nick Bryer                                                                                                     

Ethical & Environmental Officer

 

Birmingham University Guild of Students

 P Help us to save paper - do you need to print this email?

 

[chrisd...@gmail.com]

There may be some policy available for use in the recently launched
NUSSL, Sound Impact Awards.

The Sound Impact awards are basically green accreditation for students'
unions, and I'd be surprised if such a huge area of improvement for
SU's would be missed.

http://nussl.wordpress.com/2006/10/23/sound-impact-awards-launched/

I've asked there, p'raps we'll hear back soon about it.

C

[UWSU Environment Officer - Chris Adams]

An update from the ever reliable Jamie Agombar:

Hi Chris
Within the Sound Impact Awards accreditation there are a number of
bonus criteria that relate to sustainable buildings. Being bonus
criteria, they are not essential - they just provide a few more marks
to help get a better overall score. Three examples below...
C.089: 'A solar water heaters and/or solar panels and/or an urban
wind turbine have been installed on one or more of the Union's
buildings'.

'C.132: 'The Union has active policy on any two of the following: 1)
Stating energy-efficiency as a requirement in all refit briefs; 2)
Calculating whole lifecycle costings* for all new equipment over a
predetermined cost; 3) Ring-fencing any savingsmade through
energy-efficiency initiatives for investment in further efficiency
projects'.

C.146: 'The Union has an up-to-date buildings log book'.

Re you question about LEED - it is an acronym for Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design. LEED is a voluntary US standard for
developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. As far as I know
there isn't a similar standard in this country. I know it isn't the
same thing, but Part L of the recently revised Building Regulations do
make certain efficiency standards obligatory for new builds / refits
- and some of the standards are quite challenging. Not green roofs
and solar panels, but things like good insulation, efficient heating
and cooling etc.

Best wishes,
Jamie Agombar
Ethical & Environmental Coordinator, NUS Services

Looks like the Sound Impact awards could be an ideal basis for future
SU policy.

Thoughts, people?