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Extracted Content

• Reducing the use of raw materials, reusing materials, and selecting those with lower embodied carbon

  • Incorporating strategies for supplier engagement, encouraging partnerships with vendors who share a commitment to sustainability

  • Identifying product certifications that indicate responsible sourcing and production practices, such as ENERGY STAR, [10] Forest Stewardship Council (FSC ), [11] Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), [12] or Cradle to Cradle . [13]

Construction and renovations Addressing the environmental and indoor air quality (IAQ) impacts of construction and renovation projects promotes sustainability and the health of occupants. The policy must focus on selecting sustainable materials, implementing waste diversion practices, and ensuring effective IAQ measures.

Occupants’ needs Building operations managers can optimize space utilization and user experience by systematically collecting data on how people currently use the building. This is possible with simple visual assessments or more advanced tracking usage patterns. Regardless, the goal is to identify underused spaces and consider opportunities to improve accessibility, which may include strategies to enhance the experience of neurodivergent occupants, connections with nature, and general indoor environmental quality so that the space can more consistently meet the diverse needs of occupants.

For all regularly used spaces, determine opportunity for improvement regarding access to building features, usability, customization, connection with nature, and physical health. Consider the following:

• Occupants’ ability to access the features of the building, regardless of physical or mental capability

• Occupants’ ability to alter the space to better meet their unique needs or comfort requirements

• Biophilic design and ways to better connect occupants with natural systems

• Air quality, lighting quality, thermal environment, acoustics, and ergonomics impacting occupants

• Opportunities for improving occupant health

10 “Home page”, ENERGY STAR®, accessed March 31, 2025, https://www.energystar.gov/. 11 “Home page”, FSC, accessed March 31, 2025, https://fsc.org/en. 12 “Home page”, PEFC, accessed March 31, 2025, https://www.pefc.org/. 13 “Home page”, Cradle to Cradle, accessed March 31, 2025, https://c2ccertified.org/.

U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Operations and Maintenance, April 2025 Launch Edition 37