How: Standards and Goals

Sustainability means living today without borrowing from tomorrow. It’s the midpoint between degradation and renewal. Sustainability is only a goal. Nature regenerates. We must become a partner with nature. To get us there, we need measurable steps that yield positive results.

The triple bottom line—people, planet and profits—is beginning to temper the industrial-age economic model with ecology and equity. It’s people, planet and profits that, in balance, will help shift our evolution back toward the support and regeneration of nature.

Architects recognize that buildings use a lot of energy and materials. The United States Green Building Council evolved the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program to reshape the way buildings are designed, built, operated and maintained. Through a system of requirements and credits, LEED buildings are rated according to their level of sustainability and energy performance.

The success of the LEED program is now being followed with the Sustainable Sites Initiative, focusing on the built landscape. SSI looks to become a part of the LEED system.

MELA believes that through best management practices, measurable standards and validated certification programs the green industry can become a partner in a sustained and regenerated world.