# An Investigation of the Selection of LEED Version 4 Credits for Sustainable Building Projects
## 5 Discussion
### Priority Project's Studies of High-Frequency Credits  
Based on the findings of this research study, we can make the following recommendations to the project team (developer, designer, and LEED managers). First, an integrated design process should be implemented at the outset to ensure the LEED goals for the project are established at the predesign stage in order to make the best use of the investment funds and ensure the success of the project. Two or three reserve LEED points should be included to provide a safety margin and make sure that the project meets the target level of certification. The most commonly used credits for the desired rating level should be considered to maximize the project's feasibility. The most widely used credits for the projects surveyed for this study consisted of the project's innovativeness (INc1, 3.55 points), construction IAQ management plan (IEQc3, 0.90 point), protection of sensitive land (LTc2, 0.87 point), careful construction and demolition waste management (MRc5, 1.72 points), outdoor water use reduction (WEc1, 1.67 points), water metering (WEc4, 0.80 point), minimizing of contribution to the urban heat island effect (SSc5, 1.47 points), thorough site assessment to identify potential problems before construction begins (SSc1, 0.72 point), indoor water use reduction (WEc2, 4.26 points), monitoring of the outdoor air delivery (IEQc1, 1.38 points), optimizing of the building's energy performance (EAc2, 12.28 points), reduction of the parking footprint (LTc7, 0.68 point), utilization of an integrative process from the outset (IPc1, 0.60 point), advanced energy metering (EAc3, 0.60 point), reduction of light pollution (SSc6, 0.58 points), provision of open space for the building's occupants to enjoy (SSc3, 0.57 point), facilities for electric vehicles (LTc8, 0.57 point), and utilization of enhanced commissioning procedures (EAc1, 3.39 points).  
For LEED Silver or higher projects, innovation (INc1) solutions are implemented explicitly, as well as additional credits, such as supporting greater density and diverse uses (LTc4), advanced energy metering (EAc3), and implementing demand response (EAc1). Projects located in a high-density area (meeting the requirements of both the high-density (LTc4) and quality transit (LTc5) credits) were especially helpful for obtaining LEED Gold or higher certification. Other credits that should be considered to achieve LEED Gold certification include facilities for electric vehicles and bicycles and reduced parking footprint (LTc6, LTc7, and LTc8, respectively), reducing indoor water use and cooling tower water use (WEc2 and WEc3), utilizing enhanced commissioning, optimizing energy performance and renewable energy production (EAc1, EAc2, and EAc5, respectively), reducing the building's life-cycle impact, using an innovative design on a high-priority site, and incorporating open space (MRc1, INc1, LTc3, and SSc3, respectively).  
For the highest level of LEED certification, reducing the building's life-cycle impact and conducting a comprehensive product disclosure and optimization exercise (MRc1 and MRc3), providing efficient indoor lighting and thermal comfort (IEQc6 and IEQc5), managing rainwater (SSc4), enhanced commissioning, and renewable energy, and green power (EAc1, EAc5, and EAc7, respectively) were all strongly recommended for LEED Platinum projects. Additional credits for items such as light pollution reduction (SSc6), innovation (INc1), energy metering system (EAc3), and high-efficiency water performance equipment (WEc1 and WEc2) must also be considered to help the project achieve the highest LEED certification level.