Many factors affect attaining the required credits for LEED materials and Many factors affect attaining the required credits for LEED materials and
resources (MR) section. There are disadvantages in obtaining credits and LEED
certifying an existing building in Kuwait to become a sustainable green building. LEED
is still relatively new in Kuwait and the Gulf region, therefore, when certifying an
existing governmental building, difficultly is faced with obtaining complete building
owners, building upper management and occupant cooperation. This raises challenges
when requiring cooperation from building occupants and cleaning staff for the solid
waste management credits which require dedication to reduce the amount of waste going
to landfills and incinerating facilities. The mindset of the contractor and subcontractor
has to change to gain full understanding and cooperation in the waste management of
construction materials when constructing new buildings and performing facility
alterations on site. The selection of sustainable materials is more challenging as many
materials are not available in Kuwait and the surrounding Gulf countries. Transportation
from aboard should be decreased as much as possible to reduce cost as well as decreasing
negative environmental impacts. Green certified materials are more expensive, therefore
decision maker have to be willing to pay the extra cost.
This paper discusses the challenges faced by KISR team as a consultancy body to
certify an existing building according to LEED rating system from the material and
resources aspect. It discusses the acceptance of the building owners, building upper
management and the building occupants to this change and their understanding and
cooperation. Many materials for MR credits 2 and 3 were found difficult to be obtained in
Kuwait and the surrounding gulf region. Some materials were found to be available in the
resources (MR) section. There are disadvantages in obtaining credits and LEED
certifying an existing building in Kuwait to become a sustainable green building. LEED
is still relatively new in Kuwait and the Gulf region, therefore, when certifying an
existing governmental building, difficultly is faced with obtaining complete building
owners, building upper management and occupant cooperation. This raises challenges
when requiring cooperation from building occupants and cleaning staff for the solid
waste management credits which require dedication to reduce the amount of waste going
to landfills and incinerating facilities. The mindset of the contractor and subcontractor
has to change to gain full understanding and cooperation in the waste management of
construction materials when constructing new buildings and performing facility
alterations on site. The selection of sustainable materials is more challenging as many
materials are not available in Kuwait and the surrounding Gulf countries. Transportation
from aboard should be decreased as much as possible to reduce cost as well as decreasing
negative environmental impacts. Green certified materials are more expensive, therefore
decision maker have to be willing to pay the extra cost.
This paper discusses the challenges faced by KISR team as a consultancy body to
certify an existing building according to LEED rating system from the material and
resources aspect. It discusses the acceptance of the building owners, building upper
management and the building occupants to this change and their understanding and
cooperation. Many materials for MR credits 2 and 3 were found difficult to be obtained in
Kuwait and the surrounding gulf region. Some materials were found to be available in th