What is the primary focus of the Sustainable Sites category in LEED?

The Sustainable Sites category in LEED primarily focuses on site selection and management practices that can potentially reduce the environmental impact of development. This category encourages designers and builders to consider the ecological implications of their projects, emphasizing the importance of choosing locations that preserve ecosystems, reduce the heat island effect, and minimize disturbance to the site’s natural landscape.

Key strategies might include implementing erosion and sedimentation controls during construction, preserving existing vegetation, and managing stormwater runoff effectively to protect water quality. Overall, the Sustainable Sites category seeks to promote responsible and sustainable land use and to enhance the relationship between buildings and their surrounding environment, making it crucial for achieving overall sustainability goals in a project.

While energy performance, water conservation, and indoor air quality are integral to the overall sustainability of a building, they are covered under different categories in the LEED rating system. Thus, site selection and management stands out as the primary focus of the Sustainable Sites category.