Business Problem Statement
Climate change is an issue that is evaluated just as any other business issue and thus it has to compete at some stage with other investment opportunities. In business, it is important to focus on projects that are compliant with applicable environmental and resource protection laws (Kubba 2). This has driven the focus of project managers to green initiatives in businesses. There are various programs in existence that seek to outline the important green criteria by highlighting sound practices that protect the environment as well as operations that are cost effective. One of the widely recognized programs is the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, which is widely recognized for its environmental stewardship and quality.
LEED program is a rating system that promotes the design and construction of high-performance buildings. The interest in sustainability arose out of the need to provide opportunities that economic development can bring in a manner that preserves the environment for the present and future generations (344). Projects such as Salesforce Project in San Francisco, which was awarded as a LEED CS Platinum Building uses the LEED system to save expenses associated with energy use and to gain credibility in a society that values sustainable environmental practices. Studies indicate that LEED buildings save 18-39% of energy-related costs compared to non-certified buildings (Scofield 517). It relates to the need of companies to link the responsibility of citizenship with the strategy and principles of the business.
Green buildings based on the LEED accreditation program show the potential to be economically and ecologically friendly and sustainable in the long-term business domain (Kubba 9). The greatest strength in the LEED process is the ability of project managers to focus on addressing site energy and environmental issues early enough in the design process. This is because the program brings together design teams, planners, and environmental experts at the early design stage. The teams are usually focused on the LEED rating program as a project goal thus green design practices that are overlooked in the traditional design processes are pursued.
Looking at the green design approach from a systems thinking perspective, highlights gaps between desirable goals and actual outcomes of the design process. The LEED program, for instance, focuses on green design processes which are considered the conventional design approach associated with the energy benchmarking standards (Scofield 518). In this case, it is possible that the conventional approach may miss elements such as social equity and occupant behavior which may be essential in relation to the practical use of the initiatives.
Many businesses and developers seek certification because it adds credibility to the choice of going green. Certification fosters sustainability prompted competition as the demand for sustainable buildings increases. Project managers are aiming at becoming the ‘greenest’ as the program criteria such as LEED provides a point of reference for comparison of products and practices or initiatives with their competitors. Green initiatives from an economic perspective potentially involve greater costs but aimed at public or organizational good. The economics of green initiatives, particularly in the construction sector are attractive because of the sustainability image. A focus on the LEED program such as it is in the case of Salesforce Project in San Francisco assist the marketing position of a firm with both consumers and other businesses.
Buildings and construction projects related to business purposes have enormous impacts on the economy, environment, and societal welfare. The adoption of the green building based on the LEED sustainability guidelines can maximize both the economic and environmental performance of building projects. An example can be seen in the Salesforce Project that received wide recognition from the business community by getting occupants within a short time and providing numerous benefits in terms of energy use costs saving.
Works Cited
Kubba, Sam. Green Construction Project Management and Cost Oversight. Butterworth-Heinemann, 2010. Retrieved from https://books.google.co.ke/books?id=XOni4-6TpUkC&pg=PR3&lpg=PR3&dq=Green+Construction+Project+Management+and+Cost+Oversight+kubba&source=bl&ots=Gd3sPN8V4Z&sig=3Q4ORUmIUmhPZSMg1-UtCVliGlI&hl=en&sa=X&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false
Scofield, John H. "Efficacy of LEED-certification in reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emission for large New York City office buildings." Energy and Buildings, vol. 67, 2013, pp. 517-524.
