What is the main focus of the "Indoor environment quality" LEED category?

The main focus of the "Indoor Environment Quality" (IEQ) category in the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) framework is to enhance the comfort, health, and well-being of occupants within a building. This category encompasses a range of strategies aimed at improving air quality, lighting, acoustics, and thermal comfort, ultimately influencing how people feel and function in indoor spaces.

Prioritizing occupant comfort and health involves measures such as using low-emitting materials to reduce indoor pollutants, optimizing natural light, and ensuring adequate ventilation. A focus on IEQ can lead to increased productivity, better health outcomes, and overall satisfaction among building users. By enhancing the indoor environment, LEED seeks to create spaces that not only meet functional requirements but also contribute positively to the well-being of individuals who inhabit them.

While other categories of LEED, such as water efficiency, energy use, and resource efficiency, are essential for sustainable building practices, they do not specifically center on the direct impacts on occupant health and comfort, which is the hallmark of the Indoor Environment Quality category.