Designers and builders can construct a green building that uses significantly less water than a

conventional building by incorporating native plant landscapes. Native plant landscapes are plants

that are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions, and require little or no irrigation,

fertilization, or pesticides. They also provide habitat for wildlife, reduce stormwater runoff, and

enhance the aesthetic value of the site. The LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook states that

one of the intents of the Sustainable Sites category is to “conserve water by using native or adapted

plants” [1, p. 13]. Reference: [LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook], [Native Plants | U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency]

One of the causes of surface water degradation is the expansion of impervious surfaces. Impervious

surfaces are those that do not allow water to infiltrate into the soil, such as roads, parking lots,

rooftops, and sidewalks. Impervious surfaces increase the amount and speed of stormwater runoff,

which can carry pollutants, sediments, nutrients, and pathogens into surface water bodies such as

streams, rivers, lakes, and oceans. Impervious surfaces also reduce groundwater recharge, lower

base flow in streams, increase flooding and erosion, alter stream morphology and habitat, and affect

water temperature and dissolved oxygen levels2. Therefore, impervious surfaces can have significant

negative impacts on the quality and quantity of surface water resources. Reference: Surface Water as

a cause of land degradation from dryland salinity3; What is Water Pollution?4

LEED encourages compact communities because they provide reduction in travel associated with

reaching services. Compact communities are communities that have high-density development

patterns, mixed land uses, walkable streets, and diverse transportation options. Compact

communities reduce the need for driving long distances to access various services, such as work,

education, health care, recreation, or shopping. This reduces fuel consumption, greenhouse gas

emissions, air pollution, traffic congestion, and infrastructure costs. The LEED Green Associate

Candidate Handbook states that one of the intents of the Location and Transportation category is to

“reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT)” [1, p. 12]. Reference: LEED Green Associate Candidate

Handbook, [Compact Communities | U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development]

A 100% vegetated roof coverage best addresses both heat island effect and rainwater runoff from the

roof only. A vegetated roof, also known as a green roof, is a layer of living plants that covers the roof

surface. A vegetated roof reduces the heat island effect by providing shade, evapotranspiration, and

insulation, lowering the roof temperature and the surrounding air temperature. A vegetated roof

also reduces rainwater runoff by retaining and absorbing precipitation, decreasing the volume and

peak flow of stormwater leaving the roof. The other options are not as effective as a 100% vegetated

roof coverage in addressing both heat island effect and rainwater runoff from the roof only. A 100%

high-albedo roof reflects more solar radiation than a conventional roof, reducing the heat island

effect, but it does not reduce rainwater runoff. A 20% high-albedo and 80% conventional roof has a

lower reflectance than a 100% high-albedo roof, resulting in a higher heat island effect, and it does

not reduce rainwater runoff either. A 50% standing seam copper and 50% vegetated roof has a lower

vegetated area than a 100% vegetated roof, resulting in less shade, evapotranspiration, insulation,

retention, and absorption, leading to a higher heat island effect and more rainwater

runoff. Reference: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, page 27; USGBC, [Sustainable Sites],

page 3.

Gallons per minute or liters per minute refers to the amount of water used by flow fixtures in LEED.

Flow fixtures are fixtures that deliver a constant stream of water, such as faucets, showerheads, or

hose bibs. The flow rate of these fixtures is measured in gallons per minute (gpm) or liters per

minute (L/min), which indicates how much water flows through them in a given time period. The

LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook states that one of the strategies for achieving water

efficiency is to “use low-flow faucets and showerheads (maximum 2.5 gpm at 80 psi)” [1, p.

14]. Reference: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, [Water Efficiency | U.S. Department of

Energy]

Increasing the amount of ventilation in an occupied space affects the Indoor Environmental Quality

credit category. Ventilation is the process of supplying fresh outdoor air and removing stale indoor air

from a building. Ventilation can improve the indoor environmental quality by diluting or removing

indoor pollutants, such as carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds, or particulate matter, and

enhancing the thermal comfort and well-being of the occupants. The LEED Green Associate

Candidate Handbook states that one of the strategies for achieving indoor environmental quality is to

“increase ventilation rates” [1, p. 16]. Reference: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook,

[Ventilation | U.S. Department of Energy]

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) administers the LEED rating systems development. The

LEED rating systems are frameworks that provide guidance and criteria for designing, constructing,

operating, and maintaining green buildings. The USGBC is responsible for developing, maintaining,

and updating the LEED rating systems through a consensus-based process that involves various

stakeholders, such as technical experts, industry leaders, government representatives, and public

comments. The LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook states that “USGBC is committed to

transforming the way our buildings are designed, constructed and operated through LEED” [1, p.

7]. Reference: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, [LEED Rating Systems | U.S. Green

Building Council]

The integrative process involves collaboration among all project team members, from initial planning

through design and construction, to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of systems. This process

allows for better coordination among disciplines, leading to more efficient use of resources,

improved environmental performance, reduced project costs, and enhanced occupant

satisfaction. Reference: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, U.S. Green Building Council

resources

A neighborhood that includes a diversity of uses is most appropriate to encourage a walkable street

design. A diversity of uses means that different types of activities and functions are located within

walking distance of each other, such as residential, commercial, retail, educational, recreational,

cultural, and civic uses. A diversity of uses creates a vibrant and lively neighborhood that attracts

pedestrians and supports social interaction. A walkable street design also incorporates elements

such as sidewalks, crosswalks, street trees, lighting, benches, bike lanes, public transit stops, and

reduced vehicle speeds to enhance pedestrian safety and comfort. The other options are not

appropriate to encourage a walkable street design. An area with a decreased building-height-to-

street-width ratio creates a wide and open street that exposes pedestrians to more sun and wind,

reducing their comfort level. A development that uses many culs-de-sac in the street design creates a

disconnected and irregular street network that limits pedestrian access and mobility. A project in an

area designed with streets to facilitate increased speed limits prioritizes vehicle movement over

pedestrian safety and comfort. Reference: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, page 29;

USGBC [Location & Transportation], page 2-3.

Unless mitigated, resource consumption over the life of a conventional building incrementally

increases the total emissions footprint. This is because conventional buildings often use non-

renewable resources for energy and materials, which contribute to greenhouse gas emissions during

extraction, production, use, and disposal. Reference: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook,

U.S. Green Building Council resources