Brazil. According to the NGO, Green Building Council Brazil (GBC), an organization that awards LEED certificates, sustainable constructions in that country grew by 50% in the last year alone.
In 2011, the sum of certified buildings reached 430, and until September of this year, the report indicates that the figure could increase to 600 green buildings on national land. The data were revealed during the "Green Building" conference, held by Asbrav and the Brazilian Institute of Continuing Education, Inbec, on September 25.
According to Marcos Casado, LEED technical manager of GBC Brazil, and who presented the event, the number of sustainable constructions and adaptations could increase with the creation of a guide for residences available for public consultations (www.gbcbrasil.org.br).
"Our idea is to allow the creation of homes with greater comfort, indoor environmental quality and that actually produce a reduction in energy and water consumption. The Brazilian benchmark has particular characteristics, as it is produced here. It is not intended to be only for new buildings. It also serves as a parameter for any type of reform or adaptation," Casado said.
In 2013, it is said that half of all new developments will be sustainable constructions. The overall goal is to achieve LEED certification in more than 200,000 buildings by the end of 2012.
