An Evaluation on the adoption of leed green building rating system in the Sri Lankan context

Abstract

Building design and construction activities worldwide have caused immense environmental issues. Thus. the concept of green buildings emerged focusing on increasing the efficiency of resource use -energy, water and materials while reducing building impacts on human health and the environment. Many green building rating systems have been developed by various countries while Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) of the United States is the most widely accepted throughout the world Yet. a benchmark for green buildings in Sri Lanka has not been established Therefore, this research paper presents the findings of a research which aimed at evaluating the LEED for New Construction (LEED-NC) green building rating systemfor its adoption in the Sri Lankan context. A quantitative research approach was followed to achieve the objectives. The preliminary survey identified the factors affecting the adoption of green building requirements locally while the detailed questionnaire survey evaluated the professionals' perception regarding the LEED-NC credit requirements in terms of three factors identified in the preliminary survey, namely, environmental compatibility, technical feasibility and initial incremental cost. Thefindings revealed that almost all of the LEED-NC credit points are environmentally compatible and technically feasible in Sri Lanka. Further, most of the credits were found to be achievable without incurring significant initial incremental costs. In addition, a strong link was observed between credit adoption patterns of LEEDNC credits in the existing LEED accredited green buildings and the above three parameters portraying that these parameters influence the adoption of LEED-NC credit requirements in Sri Lanka.