(A11) Future-Proofing with LEED: How Sustainable Buildings Improve Public Health and Climate Resilience

Join our session to learn how LEED certification is driving the future of sustainable building design by enhancing public health and climate resilience. Our panel of industry and government building professionals will showcase transformational case studies and innovative research from multiple cities across the United States, demonstrating how LEED buildings are integrating practices such as the use of durable and non-toxic materials, thoughtful site selection, rainwater collection, demand response, grid islanding, maximal energy efficiency, and on-site renewable energy generation to enhance public health and climate resilience. LEED’s resilience pilot credits are designed to help projects avoid damage, reduce risk, promote business continuity, and protect systems infrastructure, occupants, and users. Projects are incorporating physical risk mitigation and adaptation strategies to maximize social, ecological, and financial co-benefits in the era of climate change. By prioritizing resilient building envelopes, energy systems, landscapes, and outdoor spaces, project teams are addressing multiple occupant and public health needs and creating lasting value in communities. Our session will explore how these practices can be tailored to meet the specific public health needs of building occupants and the surrounding community. Vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and patients who are reliant on plug-in medical devices require specific considerations for building design. We will highlight strategies to protect these groups and promote the overall health of the community. By attending our session, you'll gain valuable insights into the co-benefits of resilient building design. You'll discover how LEED buildings are providing real-world solutions for the challenges facing our communities today, promoting public health and climate resilience. You'll learn about cutting-edge technologies, materials, and methods that are driving the future of sustainable building design and how they can be tailored to meet the unique needs of your building occupants and community.