Green is the new black. Pop stars, soccer teams—even oil companies—are competing to show the world their eco-friendly receipts. But, too often, when some of the more dubious claims (ahem, big oil) are examined, it seems many millions of dollars are wasted on messaging about eco-friendliness, while legitimate investment in effective low-carbon activities is nil.
Normally, when industries like wine discuss going green, their point of messaging is work in the vineyard. Reducing chemical inputs, investing in electric tractors, reducing reliance on irrigation are all key, obvious messaging points that resonate with wine lovers. Another frequent topic is the carbon footprint of the winery and the production cycle: in this case, solar power, recycling programs and reduced bottle weights are up for discussion.
And while the wine industry is hardly immune to accusations of green-washing, one of the most significant methods of drastically reducing an operation’s footprint is largely being downplayed and ignored: the winery’s structure itself.
The built environment is responsible for about 42% of the world’s annual carbon emissions, according to an analysis from the nonprofit Architecture 2030. The United Nations has warned that carbon emissions from existing buildings, and those in the process of being built, threatens to derail the construction industry’s hope to decarbonise by 2050.
Which is where Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) comes in. Created at the dawn of the new millennium, LEED was developed to establish a system of green building with the goal of reducing resource depletion, addressing climate change, and limiting the impact unsustainable construction has on human health and the environment.
Fast-forward two+ decades, and more than 167,000 LEED-accredited buildings have been constructed, resulting in a cavalcade of positive impacts, both major and minor. We look at the rise of LEED accreditation in the wine industry, survey the rapid evolution of green construction—and consider just how much of an impact an eco-friendly building can have on the spirit and purpose of the business itself.
How it works
LEED, like the construction industry broadly, is in a continual process of transformation as new techniques and technologies allow buildings to become ever-more sustainable. But the framework today is essentially the same as it was when LEED was created.
The latest version is v5, with an emphasis on reducing emission from “operations, materials, construction, refrigerants and transportation, while promoting carbon sequestration and net positive outcomes. Accountability for performance is imperative.”
Buildings earn “points,” on a scale from 40 to 110, with four grades available based on the final project’s overall carbon footprint and sustainability. The highest rating is Platinum (80+), next is Gold (60-79), then Silver (50-59) and Certified (40-49).
Points can be earned for building initiatives that enhance individual human health, protect or enhance biodiversity, protect water resources, utilize sustainable or regenerative materials and enhance community quality of life. About 35% of LEED credits are linked directly to climate change, while 20% are devoted to human health, 15% to water resources, 10% to biodiversity, 10% to the green economy and 5% to community and natural resources.
Laying the groundwork for institutional change
Early adopters of LEED helped lay the groundwork for better building standards that trickle down to the construction industry more broadly. But the process of laying that green foundation, for early adopters, is often arduous.
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