EMBASSIES GO GREEN
In 2012 the Department reached the milestone of earning certification in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system for over a dozen U.S. Diplomatic facilities. Facilities in Brazzaville, Dubai and Monrovia earned the prestigious rating of LEED Gold.
Energy conservation strategies such as sun shading; solar hot water; occupancy and daylight sensors; highly reflective roofing materials that reduce the absorption of solar heat; and electric traction elevators were modeled to reduce energy costs by an average of 20 percent below the baseline at these new embassies and consulates.
New diplomatic facilities employ advanced water conservation strategies, such as air-cooled chiller technologies; native, adaptive, and drought tolerant plantings; and low-flush and low-flow plumbing fixtures to help reduce the potable water consumption by an average of 37 percent for building consumption and 76 percent for landscape irrigation when compared against baseline assumptions.
The U.S. Embassy in Monrovia became the first newly constructed U.S. Embassy compound to generate clean power from photovoltaic panels, and to utilize a rain water harvesting system from the day the embassy staff moved into the building.
LEED® certification is an internationally recognized standard for measuring building sustainability. LEED® certified buildings are designed to lower operating costs while increasing asset value, reduce waste sent to landfills, conserve energy and water, be healthier and safer for occupants, and reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
