In the field of construction, one of the most important issues is caring for the environment and protecting the planet, so one of the priorities is to apply sustainability in construction.

The concept of sustainability arises in 1987 in a document prepared by the United Nations called “Our common future”, which warned about the negative environmental consequences of economic development and globalization, in which solutions were offered to the problems derived from the industrialization and population growth.

“Our common future”

| We recommend you read: Sustainable cities, the future.

Sustainability aims to try to guarantee the needs of the present without compromising future generations, without renouncing the three essential pillars: environmental protection, social development and economic growth.

Taking the above into account, in collaboration with its clients, GEG covers the most relevant areas to have sustainability in its constructions. One of the ways is that it works with specialists in international LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification, and is working to get its buildings certified.

What is LEED certification?

LEED certification is a project certification system. This certificate applies not only to new constructions, but also to rehabilitated buildings.

LEED certification, which was developed in 1993 by the US Green Building Council (the Green Building Council of the United States), is a set of standards and requirements with which compliance it is understood that certified buildings are sustainable. Little by little it was entering countries around the world, becoming a prestigious certification.

Currently, there are more than 14,000 buildings worldwide with LEED certification, which are known as “Green Buildings”. Among them, there are homes, but there are also offices, supermarkets and restaurants. An example is the Innovation and Technology Transfer Report, known as PIT 2, of the Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey at the Chihuahua Campus.

Criteria evaluated by LEED certification

 In total, LEED certification evaluates buildings according to 6 criteria:

1. Sustainability in construction materials and resources.

2. Efficiency and use of water, both during its construction and when the building is in use for the purpose originally planned (reuse of water and avoid leaks).

3. Energy efficiency since construction, also having the lowest atmospheric impact.

4. Materials and resources used that are respectful of the environment.

5. Quality of the interior environment that allows optimum habitability, without having to resort to more energy than is necessary to heat or cool it.

6. Innovation in the design process, giving prominence to all eco-efficient resources.

Despite the fact that all these points are important, energy efficiency is the value that scores the most, looking for savings, beneficial both for the environment and for those who use the building.

What are the benefits of having LEED certification?

 It brings not only the prestige of knowing that the building is sustainable and respectful of the environment, but also the following benefits for the owner or builder:

• Lower operating costs, while the value of the property increases.
• The waste that is sent to landfills is reduced, with savings in transporting it, in addition to avoiding having to dispose of this waste in nature.
• Better energy and water conservation.
• Healthier and safer buildings for their occupants, whether they are intended for homes or workplaces.
• The emission into the atmosphere of harmful greenhouse gases is reduced.
• Owners can benefit from tax deductions for having this type of construction. In addition, in some municipalities, zoning permits are improved and other types of incentives are obtained.
• They demonstrate the owner’s awareness of caring for the environment, which means that the companies that participate in its construction or that are installed in it have a better perception by customers.

GEG is constantly growing, which is why it prioritizes quality in its constructions and follows high-efficiency guidelines, as well as those contemplated in the LEED certification, which not only benefits the construction company but also the owners of the building. These processes that are carried out have as main objective to help our planet