Greening Existing Buildings with the LEED Rating System

When considering the current situation of the built environment it becomes readily apparent that the LEED for Existing Buildings Operations and Maintenance (LEED-EBOM) Rating System is the most important of all the LEED Rating Systems. Historically its adoption in the industry has lagged behind the better known LEED for New Construction Rating System. In the effort to create more efficient, healthy, and financially sound buildings, LEED-EBOM accounts for two significant classes of buildings: buildings certified under the LEED Rating Systems geared toward design and construction, and buildings not previously certified. LEED-EBOM is a tool to measure the impact of a building's operations and provide a means to track performance over time. This information allows stakeholders to make informed decisions about operating policies that support energy efficiency, reduced environmental impact, and comfortable spaces for the occupants of the building. This article presents statistics about the existing building stock, provides an overview of the LEED-EBOM Rating System, and offers examples of successful implementation strategies drawn from over a dozen projects certified through the LEED-EB Rating Systems.