BA560 – Business Ethics
Assignment 7
October 14, 2014
Adopting the LEED
In today’s society being “Green” is extremely important and is a trending idea of how the keep the environment and ecosystem clean. Over the years there haves been a large increase in waste management and recycling efforts within the United States. These efforts have not only be produced by individuals but also small and large businesses have also participated in these going green efforts. These efforts also include reserving energy and the use of toxic and harmful chemicals. Currently environmental officials have joined in the attempt of keeping the earth clean by creating efforts through LEED.
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Design. It is a rating system used in the construction and operation performance of commercial and residential buildings. Beginning in 1994, the rating system was first developed by the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM). It wasn’t until the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) was developed that the rating system began to be used. The membership was looking for a way to standardize a green building rating system that would satisfy all aspects of the building industry. The USGBC was financed by the government but is considered a nongovernmental organization. In the development of LEED, members of the USGBC felt that the rating system had to be accepted by building owners in both the private and public sector in order for it to work. This was done by marketing, stating that Green buildings would have a higher resale value along with the save the environment philosophy. (The U.S. Green Building Council, 2014) Thanks to government influence tax incentives also play a big part in becoming LEED Certified. LEED was produced by a collaboration of people from all aspects of industry, colleges and government organizations such as U.S. Department of Energy.
The interest in Green building has been dramatically growing for