The Globe and Mail

Last month in Toronto, the Canada Green Building Council rolled out its long-awaited guidelines for rating the environmental good manners of buildings. While compliance is voluntary, the principles offered by the broadly backed organization of industry and design interests provide an intelligent yardstick against which a building's kindness to the world and to human beings can be measured. The proposals cover every phase of construction, from design, site preparation and water use to glazing and painting. For the builder, following the guidelines -- called Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) -- would mean using local materials to free up the energy required to ship stuff long distances. It also would mean installing the most energy-efficient glass available, and laying down finishes that combine durability with the lowest toxicity possible.