The Amman offices of the World Health Organization of the United Nations, a four story office building known as the WHO building, is the first building in Jordan, as well as the region, to receive the coveted Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Certification V2.2.
The building is situated in the business district of Amman along a major thoroughfare. The building encompasses about 4,000 square meters and has excellent access to private and public transportation.
The building received its final review from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) and earned 42 points, enough for it to qualify as a Gold Certificate building from LEED.
Buildings are among the heaviest users of natural resources, accounting for a huge proportion of greenhouse gas emissions which are said to have a detrimental effect on the global climate. In the United States it is estimated that buildings are responsible for as much as 38% of all carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere.
It makes logical sense to attack the problem of global warming at the level of buildings, where much can be done to reduce their carbon footprint.
LEED is a building certification system recognized internationally. It provides third-party assurance that a build is designed and used with strategies to increase energy use efficiency, decrease water usage, reduce carbon dioxide emissions and lower maintenance costs overall. LEED also encourages the construction of buildings which increase the indoor environmental quality, conserve resources and are concerned with and sensitive to the impact the building has on people’s overall health and the greater environment.