30-Sep-10 6:00 PM CST

GPGB Announces LEED Pilot Credit Program

Green Plants for Green Buildings (GPGB) has hired LEED consultant, Viridian, to help develop a LEED Pilot Credit program focused on eventual inclusion of live indoor plants into the LEED rating system. The intent of the pilot credit, currently titled “Biofiltration of Indoor Air with Plantings”, is to mitigate pollutants in indoor air through the proper selection, incorporation and maintenance of indoor plants. IEQ (Indoor Environmental Quality) will be the targeted LEED credit category based on the wealth of information supporting the benefits of live plants on the indoor environment.

Extensive research has shown that Indoor plants reduce contaminants inside buildings which results in greater occupant comfort, lower absenteeism and improved productivity. By improving indoor air quality, fewer sick days and improved employee health, morale and creativity are just some of the measurable benefits demonstrated. Specifically, employee productivity is shown to increase 12%.

Before full adoption of any credit, a pilot credit is used as a means of vetting out the proposed credit. During a pilot program, credits can be awarded for submittals regardless of the eventual full adoption. Once vetted, pilot credits are voted on by the USGBC membership and if approved, fully adopted.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a third party rating system offered through the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Unlike Australia and New Zealand’s ’Green Star’ green building rating system, the current USGBC LEED system does not yet offer a specified direct credit for the inclusion of live plant applications in buildings. However, LEED credit for indoor plants has been achieved in the past via the Innovative in Design (ID) category. Both the Ecology and Environment headquarters building in Lancaster, NY as well as the WESST Corporation building in Albuquerque, New Mexico were awarded 1 point each for their unique application of plants in those spaces.

Green Plants for Green Buildings is a non-profit 501c3 organization whose mission is to inform decision makers about the significant environmental, psychological, health and productivity benefits inherent with including living plants in our indoor environment.

For more information on the many health and environmental benefits of using living plants indoors visit http://www.greenplantsforgreenbuildings.org/