The Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) has awarded LEED ^R certification to the Douglas Institute for its Brain Imaging Centre (BIC). Following years of hard work, the Technical Services and Facilities Directorate, in partnership with the Research Centre, successfully met the LEED criteria in the following six categories:

• Sustainable Sites
• Water Efficiency
• Energy and Atmosphere
• Materials and Resources
• Indoor Environmental Quality
• Innovation in Design

The Douglas Institute particularly excelled in the following areas:

• Erosion and sedimentation control
• Redevelopment of sites
• Promotion of alternative transportation (additional bicycle parking and showers)
• Selection of a reflective roof to reduce the heat island effect
• Water use reduction
• At least 25% reduction in energy consumption
• No CFC-based refrigerants used
• 38% optimization of energy performance
• Use of less-polluting sealants, paints, coatings, and materials

Since 2008, the Douglas Institute has adhered to an environmental policy that focuses on sustainable development, energy efficiency and waste management. An environmental committee was set up and has since developed many green initiatives, such as the promotion of carpools, obtaining of Boma Best and Visez Vert certifications, and the replacement of sick trees in collaboration with Héritage Laurentien. The new LEED certification, the first earned by the Douglas Institute, will open the door to future projects of this type at the Douglas.