AASHE Campus Construction Must Follow LEED Standards

The policy supports the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment.

by Mairi Beautyman -- Interior Design, 2/9/2007

In an effort to address global climate change, the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability (AASHE) in Higher Education has passed a new policy for green campus construction. Now, all U.S. campus construction in the membership-based association of colleges and universities must be built according to the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver standard. LEED standards are voluntary sustainable standards for green building design, construction, and operations.

To date, 11 Federal government agencies, several state and local governments, and private developers follow the LEED Green Building Rating System. Based on the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, the AASHE policy supports the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment.

“Not only are green schools and campuses good for the environment, they are also good for the students and faculty who inhabit the building,” says Rick Fedrizzi, president and CEO of USGBC. “It is a momentous step for America’s higher education community, a $300 billion industry, to recognize its impact on the environment, and make a public commitment to addressing climate change.”

In addition, at least 200 presidents are expected to sign on to the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment by June, and 1,000 by December 2009. With this signature, presidents pledge to eliminate campus greenhouse gas emissions over time.

LEED Projects, rated Silver, Gold, or Platinum, are evaluated within five environmental categories: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, and Indoor Environmental Quality.